Stephen P. Swinton concentrates his practice in complex litigation involving patent rights and related intellectual property matters. He has represented clients concerning patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret matters in various industries including software, electronics, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, semiconductor and telecommunications.
Mr. Swinton has extensive trial and appellate experience. He has served as lead or trial counsel in utility and design patent disputes as wells as trademark and trade secret matters. Mr. Swinton was named to the Legal 500 US: Volume II - Intellectual Property, Media, Technology & Telecoms. In the 2008 Legal 500 US guide, Mr. Swinton was recognized for his domestic patent litigation work.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University in 1973. After graduation, Mr. Swinton served with distinction as a Surface Line Officer (Surface Warfare Specialist) in the United States Navy. Following his service, Mr. Swinton worked as a process and manufacturing engineer with Procter & Gamble.
Mr. Swinton attended law school at Drake University receiving his J.D., with honors, in 1982. While in law school, he served as an extern to the Hon. Roy L. Stephenson, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is by invitation, extended only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill as advocates and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism and civility. In addition, Mr. Swinton has been consistently recognized in Best Lawyers (Intellectual Property Law, Commercial Litigation and Bet-the-Company Litigation) and San Diego Super Lawyers (Intellectual Property).
Mr. Swinton is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is also admitted to practice before numerous trial and appellate courts including the United States Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Federal Circuits, the District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California, and the California Supreme Court. Mr. Swinton is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Circuit Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the State Bar of California.