Russell Dunlap is a Shareholder in the Firm’s Atlanta office and a member of the Intellectual Property practice group. Mr. Dunlap’s expertise includes reviewing his clients’ products and processes to provide advice on best strategies for protecting their intellectual property through a combination of patentability and noninfringement searches, utility and/or design patents, trade secrets, copyrights, or trademarks. Mr. Dunlap also works hard to understand the realities behind these strategies, including product development timelines and costs, sales and licensing opportunities, and potential competitors’ responses.

Mr. Dunlap has drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications and managed large patent portfolios in a wide range of technologies in the mechanical arts, including construction equipment, fall protection devices, firearm accessories, water infrastructure components, cosmetics, clothing and other textiles, architectural products, medical devices, corrugated cardboard products and packaging, venting and drying technology, equestrian and pet equipment, and many varieties of consumer goods.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Dunlap worked as a mechanical engineer at a mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection commercial design firm designing plumbing and HVAC systems. Mr. Dunlap is also an active member of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance, attending plant tours and educational sessions to keep up with manufacturing trends and technologies in Georgia.

Awards and Honors

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, 2021-2025
• Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2018-2021
• University of Tennessee Volunteer 40 Under 40 – Class of 2022
• Kids in Need of Defense, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, 2020
• Truancy Intervention Project, Honorable Glenda Hatchett Volunteer of the Year, 2019

Professional Involvement

• Barrister, Atlanta Intellectual Property Inn of Court, 2013-present
• Member, Intellectual Property Section of the Georgia Bar, 2011-present
• Intellectual Property Owners Association

Bar Admissions

• Georgia
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Significant Accomplishments
<ul><li><strong>Patent Counsel for Georgia Manufacturer of Steel Products.</strong> Dunlap manages and prosecutes the intellectual property portfolio, including patents and trademarks, of and provides licensing advice for a Georgia Manufacturer of steel products such as construction, housing, marine, and agricultural equipment.</li><li><strong>Patent Counsel for Medical Device Company. </strong> Dunlap manages and prosecutes the patent portfolio of a startup medical device company focused on developing seizure detection devices for people with epilepsy. Mr. Dunlap has obtained numerous U.S. and foreign patents for this company to protect its inventions.</li><li><strong>Design Patent Experience</strong>. Filed and obtained issuances for dozens of design patents covering a broad range of consumer products, such as Christmas ornaments and serving products, hats and hat brims, makeup brushes and equipment, high-heel shoes, medical bracelets, measurement tools, pipe couplings and gaskets, and clothing.</li><li><strong>Appellate win in USPTO reexamination proceedings related to pipe coupling patents</strong>. <em>Anvil International, LLC v. Victaulic Company</em> (PTAB) Obtained rulings from the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board finding all challenged claims invalid in reexamination proceedings involving patents of a client’s competitor in the field of mechanical pipe couplings. Rulings resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.</li></ul>

• What Standard Should the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Apply in Interpreting Patent Claims During Inter Partes Review? Is the Institution of Inter Partes Review Ever Appealable?
• Three Years On: What The New Definition of Prior Art Means Today