People•Ketan S. Vakil
Ketan S. Vakil
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Ketan S. Vakil

Partner
People•Ketan S. Vakil

Ketan Vakil is a partner in Snell & Wilmer's Orange County office and co-chair of the firm's intellectual property group. He counsels clients on matters related to intellectual property protection, litigation, counseling, and licensing including the procurement and litigation of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. He has significant experience in preparing and prosecuting patents and trademarks, evaluating prior art for patentability, infringement and validity, preparing infringement and validity opinions, and counseling clients on intellectual property strategies, development, licensing and infringement. He is also lead counsel on several Inter Partes Review (IPR) Proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Ketan's electrical engineering and software design experience includes computer architecture, memories and software, semiconductor devices, processes and machinery, network systems, storage and security, image and signal processing, video compression technology, electrical circuits, telecommunications devices, phones, chargers, wireless devices and accessories, vehicle electronics and accessories, autonomous vehicles, and aircraft systems.

Ketan's medical device experience includes gastric implants, glucose monitoring systems, heart valves, blood pressure monitoring devices, pediatric devices, surgical instruments, systems and methods for modulation of nerves, pulmonary systems, and catheters. 

Ketan's apparel and footwear experience includes sandals, skateboard shoes, running and athletic shoes and sportswear, dress shoes, high-heeled shoes, shorts, jackets, backpacks, skateboards, snowboards and outdoor sports equipment. Ketan also has experience in the areas of construction, equipment and tools, phone cases, mechanical devices, toothbrushes, chemical compositions, and formulations, bottles, and connectors.

Ketan served as the managing partner of Snell & Wilmer's Orange County office from 2017 through 2022.

  • University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., 1996)
  • Franklin Pierce Law Center (Master of Intellectual Property Law, 1995)
  • University of Florida (M.E., Electrical Engineering, 1992)
  • Vanderbilt University (B.E., Electrical Engineering, magna cum laude, 1990)

  • American Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Association of University Technology Managers

  • "SoCal's Tech Work For Firms Spreads Beyond 'Silicon Beach'," Quoted, Law360 Pulse (June 10, 2021)
  • "Patent Fundamentals, Drafting & Prosecution," Co-Presenter, USC Stevens Center for Innovation (September 16, 2020)
  • "Five Practical Tips to Avoid Willful Infringement After Halo," Co-Author, Orange County Business Journal (July 23, 2018)
  • "Amendments to Rights of Federally Funded Inventions and Government Owned Inventions," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 23, 2018)
  • "Developing and Protecting Your Company's IP Portfolio," Speaker and Panel Moderator, Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) Annual Medical Device Symposium, Broomfield, CO (January 24, 2017)
  • "New Supreme Court Ruling Kills Vague Patents," Co-Author, Orange County Business Journal (June 30, 2014)
  • "Clinic in a BoxSM Program" (Training Program for Non-profit Entity Intake – IP Issues), Presenter, ACC-SoCal, Public Law Center, Corporate Pro Bono (February 5, 2014)
  • "U.S. and California Supreme Court Game-Changing Cases of 2012 and Beyond: How Will They Impact Your Business?," Speaker, Roundtable Presentation, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (February 26, 2013)
  • "Patent Reform Act: Implications For Your Business," Co-Author, Orange County Business Journal (July 9, 2012)
  • "Double Patenting – Basics, Updates and Best Practices," Co-Presenter, CLE Seminar for In-House Pharmaceutical Legal Department (June 2012)
  • "U.S. and California Supreme Court Game-Changing Cases of 2011 and Beyond: How Will They Impact Your Business?," Speaker, Roundtable Presentation, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (April 2012)
  • "Washington in the West Conference," Speaker, sponsored by Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (February 14, 2012)
  • "Building a Strong Patent Portfolio - Five Tips to Stay Ahead of the Game," Author, Orange County Business Journal (July 11, 2011)
  • "Patent Litigation: The New Normal, Panelist, Be On Your Offensive Game: Managing Intellectual Property Litigation Costs With a Team Approach," Association of Corporate Counsel SoCal, Long Beach, CA (June 2011)
  • "Faster Pace at U.S. Patent Office Seen as Boost for IP," Author, Orange County Business Journal (January 23, 2011)
  • "Recent California Decision Reinforces Need for Drafting High Quality Patents," Author, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (March 2005)
  • "Outsourcing Technology Overseas? Ten Tips to Help Safeguard Your Intellectual Property," Author, Orange County Business Journal (August 9, 2004)
  • "Safeguarding IP Overseas," Author, California Lawyer Magazine (June 2004)

  • IAM Patent 1000 (2022)
  • Southern California Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, Intellectual Property (2006-2007)

  • Stout Uxa Buyan & Mullins LLP, Associate
  • Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, Associate
  • Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, Associate

  • California
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office

  • Supreme Court of California
  • United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California