Andrew (Andy) Lagatta is an intellectual property lawyer and member of the firm's executive committee. Andy focuses on a wide range of patent matters and enjoys working with large companies to help develop strong and enforceable patent portfolios, as well as start-up companies and individual inventors who have good ideas but need a forward-thinking legal strategy to protect R&D investment and attract investors.
Andy provides intellectual property counseling, analyzes patentability and clearance issues, and drafts and prosecutes patent applications. He has technical experience in diverse electrical, electronic, and mechanical technology fields. Andy has particular expertise in areas including network security and system virtualization, as well as data storage technologies, data science (including various machine learning systems), and Internet of Things devices. Andy’s technical background spans a range of technologies including computer architecture, electronic control systems, medical devices, communications networks and protocols, power distribution systems, database management systems, operating systems, digital content encryption and distribution, and business methods. As part of that practice, Andy has successfully developed licensed patent portfolios for established companies and has created IP protection strategies for several start-up companies that match the company’s growth goals and timing.
As former co-chair of M&G’s post-grant practice group, Andy is well-versed in all aspects of post-grant patent challenge proceedings, including reexamination and post-grant trial proceedings, as well as PTAB appeals and reissue applications. Andy has been named counsel (lead and backup) in numerous PTAB trials on behalf of both patent owners and petitioners, often providing a patent office perspective to support copending litigation efforts. These trials have spanned various technology areas, including semiconductors and circuits, medical devices, mechanical devices, such as agricultural equipment and environmental products, to food science. Andy has also managed reexamination proceedings (ex parte and inter partes) representing both patentees and accused infringers. Andy uses his past litigation experience to coordinate post-grant challenges with litigation counsel in order to navigate PTAB proceedings to achieve client goals within an overall enforcement or defense strategy.
Prior to practicing law, Andy worked for Intel Corporation, where he focused on desktop computer architecture modeling and performance analysis. This experience has helped him in understanding technology issues, as well as day-to-day schedules of inventors and patent counsel, and what they want and need in intellectual property protection.
At Merchant, Andy also does pro bono work for non-profit organizations as well as for low-income inventors through the LegalCORPS Inventor Assistance Program. He runs, plays golf, goes to concerts, and brews beer in his limited spare time.