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John D. Norris
1111 Louisiana, 25th Floor
Houston, TX 77002-5242
+1 713.787.1505
+1 713.787.1440 (Fax)
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Partner
John Norris' practice is in the area of patent, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition matters, concentrating on patent and trade secret litigation involving a wide range of technologies, especially those related to chemical and petrochemical technologies. His practice includes counseling clients on intellectual property enforcement matters, defensive and litigation strategy, licensing, and settlement negotiations.
Mr. Norris is skilled in all areas of patent litigation. His role as lead counsel includes case strategy and development, selection and preparation of expert witnesses, trial preparation, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, and appellate issues. Mr. Norris has handled cases in his technical specialty, chemistry, involving technologies such as ethylene oxide catalysts and processes, nylon dyeing and carpet manufacturing processes, propylene polymerization catalysts and processes, hydrogen sulfide scavengers for petroleum stocks, herbicide formulations and processes, and polyvinyl chloride processes. He has also handled cases involving a wide variety of other technologies including genetically engineered hormone formulations, semiconductor manufacturing processes, and oil field technology such as downhole apparatus.
Mr. Norris has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America directory for each of the last 11 years. Mr. Norris was also named in the 2002 edition of Texas Lawyer’s Go-To Guide. In 2007, Mr. Norris was named in the Who's Who Legal directory as one of the leading patent lawyers in Texas. Mr. Norris has been named a Texas Super Lawyer every year since the establishment of that recognition. In 2008, Chambers USA recognized Mr. Norris as a "highly regarded" and "very experienced" IP litigator.
Representative Highlights
- Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. v. General Motors Corporation, et al. Howrey represents General Motors Corporation in this patent infringement suit.
- Union Carbide v. Shell. Defense of patent infringement action filed by Union Carbide against Shell with respect to two patents directed to ethylene oxide catalysts and another patent directed to a process for making ethylene oxide. Jury trial verdict for Shell on all three patents. On appeal, judgment was affirmed as to both catalyst patents, and reversed and remanded as to process patent. Union Carbide Chems. & Plastics Tech. Corp. v. Shell Oil Co., 308 F.3d 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2002). A second trial on the process patent and a second appeal followed, after which the case settled. Union Carbide Chems. & Plastics Tech. Corp. v. Shell Oil Co., 425 F.3d 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2005).
- Burlington Industries v. Solutia. Defense of action purportidly for breach of patent license agreement. Burlington filed a preliminary injunction motion to enjoin Solutia from selling nylon fiber that could be used by carpet manufacturers for making certain stain-resistant carpets allegedly covered by certain patents. Summary judgment motion was filed on behalf of Solutia. After a court hearing on both motions, the court denied Burlington its requested injunction and granted Solutia summary judgment. Currently on appeal. (2001-present).
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Admissions
Courts & Adjudicative Bodies
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Clerkship
- Hon. Howard T. Markey, United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (predecessor to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) (1977-1979)
Education
- George Washington University Law School (JD, 1977), with honors
- University of Arkansas (BSChE, Chemical Engineering, 1969), with high honors
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