“My job is to approach every task with a global perspective, leveraging diverse viewpoints and skills to provide the best solution.”

Joseph E. Shipley has earned a highly regarded reputation for handling complex IP matters worldwide, assisting clients with freedom-to-operate opinions, preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, licensing and other transactions, global IP strategies, portfolio management, and litigation, among other services. His clients range from small privately held businesses to large publicly traded global corporations.

Joe has extensive experience with due diligence in connection with product development, including the interplay between various forms of IP protection and the functional and aesthetic aspects of consumer products and their packaging. He also often works on the management of large global patent portfolios, including optimization of international patent strategies.

Joe has been a leader in the IP professional community for many years. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois, has served on the faculty of the Practicing Law Institute, and has lectured at the Northwestern University School of Law and at the DePaul University College of Law.

Presentations

  • “180 Days of UPC: How It Started… How It’s Going…,” Fitch Even Webinar, with Mary Fetsco and Simon Bradbury, November 29, 2023.
  • “Patent Reexaminations in Parallel with Litigation,” Fitch Even Webinar, February 22, 2012.
  • Presentations about the legal profession to high school and undergraduate students as part of an initiative by the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, at Northwestern University, Chicago Bulls College Prep, the Better Boys Foundation, Cristo Rey High School, the Apostolic Whole Truth Church, Berkeley College; Allegheny College, and the University of Illinois. (October–December 2011).
  • “Parallel Patent Reexaminations,” Practising Law Institute, Chicago, October 13, 2011.
  • Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois College of Law (2011–15).
  • “Advanced Patent Licensing,” Practising Law Institute, New York, May 28, 2008.
  • “Ramifications of KSR v Teleflex,” Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, January 18, 2008 (Panelist).
  • “Handling Intellectual Property Issues in Business Transactions,” Practising Law Institute, Chicago, 2004.
  • “Protection of Product Configuration & Design,” Chicago Bar Association, March 3, 1998.
  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago
    • President, 2008–09
    • Delegate to the U.S. BarEPO Liaison Council, 2012–17, 2020–21
  • The Richard Linn American Inn of Court
  • University Club of Chicago
  • Chicago Yacht Club

  • J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 1982
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 1979

  • Illinois
  • Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating, Martindale Hubbell
  • Named a Leading Lawyer in Illinois in Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law, Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law, and Copyright & Trademark Law (2004–24)
  • Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list for Intellectual Property Law (2012–22)
  • Distinguished Service Award for pro bono litigation, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (1992)