David W. Carstens

As a partner in the firm, David W. Carstens brings together a highly-skilled background in patent law and engineering to develop winning strategies for clients. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of intellectual property - including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets - and helps clients to evaluate their needs and do what is required to protect their innovations.

Holding two technical degrees - a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas (1997) and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University (1986), Mr. Carstens represents clients in a wide variety of technical fields such as computer software, cosmetics, oil field equipment, medical devices and telecommunications. Mr. Carstens earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1989. He also earned his MBA from SMU in 2004.

Mr. Carstens assists clients with both patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. His experience also spans technology-related transactions, including negotiating license agreements and evaluating intellectual property in preparation for mergers. He also counsels clients on infringement issues, employee non-compete agreements, and confidentiality agreements.

The Texas Lawyer recently named Mr. Carstens to its "40 Under 40" list for attorneys under the age of forty who have achieved distinction in their field. He is a lecturer at Southern Methodist University School of Law and has taught courses on patent law, legal protection of computer software, and international intellectual property law. In addition, Mr. Carstens has lectured at a number of seminars on intellectual property law including those sponsored by the University of Texas School of Law and the Southwestern Legal Foundation. He is the author or co-author of several publications including Preemption of Direct Molding Statutes, 3 Harvard Journal Of Law And Technology 167 (1990); Joint Inventorship Under 35 U.S.C. 116, 73 Journal Of The Patent And Trademark Office Society 616 (1992); Conception and the "On Sale" Bar, 34 William And Mary Law Review 393 (1993); Legal Protection of Computer Software: Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets, 20 Journal Of Contemporary Law 13 (1994).

Mr. Carstens is involved in the Dallas Bar Association, having served as chairman of the Computer Use and Technology Section, and the American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association. He is the current President of the DFW Intellectual Property Lawyers Association. He is a registered patent attorney and is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Northern District of Texas, and several other federal courts.¬ He has served as a court appointed mediator and also as an expert witness in patent law.