Ryan J. Sheehan is Counsel in the firm's Litigation department, concentrating on patent and other technology-focused litigation.  He has more than 15 years of experience representing multinational corporations in the consumer electronic device, semiconductor, automotive, and medical device industries, as well as other startup and technology companies, in Federal district courts (District of Delaware, Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Southern District of New York, Central District of California, Southern District of California, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois), the US International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  He has litigated and advised clients with respect to a wide range of technologies, including electronic licensing and digital rights management systems; mobile devices and device integration software; semiconductor and image sensor design; electric and hybrid vehicles; payment processing technologies; surgical robotics; surgical implant systems; operating system and application software; virtual reality and video game software; relational databases and database integration software; video analytics software; wireless networking standards and protocols; navigation, mapping, and GPS systems and software; vehicle control and maintenance systems; LED and solid-state lighting; solar-powered agricultural greenhouse systems; metal alloy coatings and electrical connectors; energy-efficient reflective roof coatings; and prenatal vitamin supplements.

In addition to his litigation practice, Ryan also analyzes portfolios of patents and other intellectual property rights for clients in order to develop an IP strategy, evaluate potential licensing/litigation, and conduct freedom-to-operate analyses. He also advises clients on transaction-related matters, including on licenses, assignments, and other agreements conveying IP rights.

Prior to attending law school, Ryan held a variety of engineering and management positions at early- and middle-stage startup software companies, developing internet, electronic commerce, and enterprise software applications.

  • Defended a leading consumer electronics company in a litigation alleging infringement of a competitor’s patent related to digital music player technology. Obtained a judgment at the pleadings stage that the asserted patent was directed to subject matter not eligible for patenting.
  • Defended a leading medical device company in a litigation alleging infringement of several patents related to surgical implants. Obtained favorable claim constructions and summary judgment that the asserted patents are invalid.
  • Defended a multinational financial services company in a litigation alleging infringement of a patent related to gift and prepaid card processing systems. Obtained a transfer from the Eastern District of Texas to the client’s home venue, and secured a voluntary dismissal with prejudice after successfully defending the claims through fact and expert discovery.
  • Defended a leading consumer electronics and mobile device company in a litigation alleging infringement of a patent related to digital camera and mobile device multimedia and networking technology. Obtained voluntary dismissal of the infringement claims with prejudice at the pleadings stage shortly after filing a motion to dismiss for unpatentable subject matter.
  • Defended a leading consumer electronics and mobile device company in a litigation alleging infringement of a patent related to mobile device battery charging technology. Obtained voluntary dismissal of the infringement claims with prejudice at the pleadings stage shortly after filing a motion to dismiss for unpatentable subject matter.
  • Defended a leading consumer electronics company in a litigation alleging infringement of several patents related to data communication and signal processing technology.
  • Defended a leading computer and information technology company in a litigation alleging infringement of several patents related to image sensor design. 
  • Defending a multinational financial services company in a patent litigation alleging infringement of two patents related to systems for implementing customer loyalty point programs.

  • New York
  • Connecticut
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

  • Fordham University School of Law (J.D., 2007)
  • Dartmouth College (B.A., 2000)
    • Computer Science