Daniel Jones Photo

Daniel S. Jones

Partner
Management Committee Member
Sub-Group Leader, Privacy & Cybersecurity

Overview

Dan is a senior partner in Michael Best’s IP practice. He serves as a key advisor to clients ranging from large manufacturers to start-ups. As a 25+ year practitioner at Michael Best, Dan leverages his deep knowledge of the Firm’s legal and consulting services to align the best team to achieve each client’s objectives.

A pragmatic problem solver, Dan focuses on understanding each client’s unique business needs and trajectory. His clients appreciate Dan’s genuine desire to help them navigate complex challenges and see them succeed.

In his IP practice, Dan focuses on high-value patent matters. In addition to managing a robust prosecution practice, Dan regularly drafts and negotiates licenses, IP provisions of asset purchase agreements, design and development agreements, and other IP-related agreements. He also counsels clients on enforcement and dispute avoidance, and provides technical and strategic support in litigated matters. Dan is often involved in IP due diligence for major transactions.

Dan is dedicated to providing top-tier client service and keeping abreast of innovation to continually meet clients’ evolving needs. He provides thought leadership through his service on Michael Best’s Management Committee, Innovation Council, and AI Center of Excellence.

Dan’s work has been recognized by both clients and industry peers. He is ranked in IP Law by Chambers USA and is honored as one of The Best Lawyers in American in Patent Law by US News. Dan is also recognized as a top patent lawyer by the IAM Patent 1000, and he was the 2014 recipient of Lexology’s Client Choice Award, a distinction that recognizes attorneys who stand apart for exceptional client service.

Experience

Notable matters include:

  • Securing an $11+ million judgement in a patent infringement lawsuit for a large client in the water heater industry. Dan drafted and prosecuted the patent at issue and assisted in the successful litigation to protect the client’s valuable patent rights.
  • Drafting claims for use by a client’s outside patent counsel (another firm) directed toward multiple competitor product lines, successfully asserting the allowed claims and securing a license with competitors to establish a royalty stream for the client.
  • Defensive counseling for a client accused of patent infringement by large direct competitor in new product category, including infringement, validity, design-around, negotiation, and litigation strategies.
  • Helping large clients analyze potential patent infringement by main U.S. competitors in extremely competitive industries. One infringement assessment included a review of more than 40 patents, assessing which patent claims form the basis for the strongest case of infringement, and preparing a demand letter to the competitor. This work has forced direct competitors of our clients to design around our clients’ patents.
  • Assisting in establishing and running patent review committee for several large clients.
  • Performing trade secret audits for several clients wishing to identify and secure confidential and proprietary corporate information.
  • Traveling to China with leadership of a major manufacturer, where Dan interviewed multiple Chinese intellectual property firms with client; participated in selection of Chinese firm; and oversaw consolidation of all matters with new Chinese firm and implementation of client service model in Chinese operations.

Honors & Recognitions

  • Milwaukee "Lawyer of the Year" in Patent Law, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Patent Law, 2016-present
  • Notable Intellectual Property Attorney, BizTimes Media, 2024
  • Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer, Chambers USA, 2022–Present
  • The Midwest’s Best Lawyers©, Patent Law, 2021
  • IAM Patent 1000 – World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, 2016–Present
  • Lexology Client Choice Award, Intellectual Property: Patents, 2014

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Yellow Belt Certified, Legal Lean Sigma

Education

Bar Admission

Court Admissions

Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
  • Former Executive Committee Member and Vice President of Strategic Planning, First Stage Milwaukee

Insights

Education

Bar Admission

Court Admissions

Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
  • Former Executive Committee Member and Vice President of Strategic Planning, First Stage Milwaukee
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