Overview
Michael P. Chu focuses his practice on all aspects of patent law, including complex litigation, opinions and prosecution. He serves as the Local IP Litigation Practice Group Leader in McDermott’s Chicago office. Mike is also the head of the Firm’s Racial & Ethnic Diversity Committee.
In his litigation practice, Michael handles patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright matters, including trials, hearings, post-grant proceedings (including IPRs and PGRs) and mediation. His experience also includes complex patent cases, design patent cases, International Trade Commission (ITC) investigations and a strong appellate practice before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Michael also has extensive experience working with clients on litigation, licensing, regulation and import/export issues in Asia (including China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines) and in Europe.
Michael maintains a strong domestic and international licensing and enforcement practice, and has extensive experience with issues relating to overseas outsourcing, particularly with respect to consumer products, electronics, software and medical devices. Michael has also counseled his clients regarding the infringement and validity of patents. Leveraging his litigation and enforcement experience in combination with his two decades of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Michael advises his clients on strategic growth and management of worldwide intellectual property (IP) portfolios, including audits, competitive analyses, and prosecution to maximize the value of his client’s IP assets. His technical experience extends to housewares, chemical processes, food production, packaging, medical devices (including drug delivery systems, infusion devices, test equipment, subcutaneous devices and software), cancer immunotherapies, papermaking, manufacturing methods, software, displays and automotive components.
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois.
Results
- Representing hospital and researchers relating to immunotherapeutic treatments and medical devices (Immunomedics, Inc. v. Roger Williams Medical Center et al., Civ. Action No. 2:15-cv-04526 (D.N.J. 2015-present))
- Obtained an award of attorney fees and dismissal in client’s favor in patent infringement lawsuit relating to papermaking processes (Nalco Co. v. Solenis LLC, Civ. Action No. 1:15-cv-008913 (N.D. Ill. 2015-2017))
- Represented defendant in lawsuit brought by supplier and obtained stay in favor of international arbitration (Key Tronic Corporation v. SMART Technologies ULC Civ. Action No. 2:16-cv-00028-TOR (E.D. Wa. 2016-2017))
- Sought a temporary restraining order against an importation port to prevent loss of trademarked goods from China; the case successfully settled in the client’s favor (WesPac International, LLC v. Apex Maritime, Inc., Civ. Action No. 1:14-CV-01579 (N.D. Ill.))
- Represented complainant Eastman Kodak Company in the pending ITC investigation relating to infringement of Kodak patents for digital imaging technology; the case successfully settled (Certain Electric Devices for Capturing and Transmitting Images, ITC No. 337-TA-831 (2011-2013))
- Represented complainants Twin-Star International, Inc., and TS Investment Holding Corp. in an ITC investigation against the complainants’ outsourced manufacturer in China, which produced competing products that infringed copyrights and misappropriated trade secrets (Certain Electric Fireplaces, Components Thereof, Manuals for Same, Certain Processes for Manufacturing or Relating to Same and Certain Products Containing Same, ITC No. 337-TA-791)
- Represented the defendant in a trademark infringement and false advertising suit, which settled (Heat Surge, LLC et. al. v. Twin-Star International, Inc. et. al., Civ. Action No. 5:10-cv-01074-JRA (N.D. Ohio 2010))
- Represented the plaintiff in a patent and trademark infringement case involving inflatable air mattresses and won a jury verdict of willful patent infringement and trademark infringement; argued appeal of the case before Federal Circuit in 2006, winning full affirmance (Aero Products, Inc. v. Intex Recreation, et al., Civ. Action No. 2-CV-2590 (N.D. Ill., 2002-2004) (Affirmed by CAFC, 2006)
Recognitions
- IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, 2021-2024
- Chambers USA, 2021-2024
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2016-2023 and 2025, Trademark Law, 2023-2025
- Legal 500 USA, Recommended Lawyer, 2022 and 2024
- Crain’s Chicago Business, Notable Leaders in Community Development, 2022
- William & Mary, Asian Centennial Awards, 2022
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice, 30th Anniversary Honoree, 2022
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Rainmaker, 2019
- Crain’s Chicago, Most Influential Minority Lawyers, 2017
- Chinese American Bar Association, Liu Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017
- Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago, Trailblazer Award, 2017
- Chicago United, Business Leaders of Color, 2015
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Trailblazer Award, 2011
- Chicago Bar Association, Vanguard Award, 2010
- Leadership Greater Chicago, Fellow, 2006
- Law Bulletin, 40 Under 40 To Watch, 2005
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Best Under 40, 2002
Community
- American Bar Association
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), president, 2003
- NAPABA Law Foundation, president, 2009 to 2012
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago, board chair, 2011 to present
- Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, board chair, 2016
- Chicago Illini Club, Leadership Council, chair, 2015 to 2016
- US Senator Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth screening Committee for Northern District of Illinois 7th Circuit Judicial Appointees, 2017
Credentials
Education
College of William and Mary School of Law, JD, 1992
University of Illinois, BS, Mechanical Engineering, 1989
Admissions
Illinois
Courts/ Agencies
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US Patent and Trademark Office
Illinois Supreme Court
Languages
English
Chinese (Mandarin)
