Overview

Joel Sayres counsels clients in complex patent, trademark and copyright matters, with a focus on patent litigation. Joel litigates intellectual property disputes in venues throughout the United States, including patent infringement actions involving optical communications, medical devices, storage systems, and wireless technology. He also represents petitioners and patent owners in post-grant proceedings before the USPTO and Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including inter partes review (IPR) proceedings.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Joel practiced for several years in California at Irell & Manella LLP, where he focused on patent litigation, unfair business practice disputes and internal investigations. Joel also previously served as a directing attorney at Public Counsel Law Center in Los Angeles, where he focused on representing victims in mortgage fraud and home-equity-theft litigation. He was co-chair of the Litigation Training Committee and a clinical instructor for the Pepperdine University School of Law externship. Joel has also co-taught a semester-long course on patent litigation at the University of Colorado law school.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Colorado
California

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Clerkships

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, Hon. David H. Ebel, 2010-2011

Education

Yale Law School
J.D. Yale Journal of International Law (managing editor) (2002)

Haverford College
B.A. Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, with honors (1997)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • To Stay or Not to Stay Pending IPR? That Should be a Simpler Question.
    Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, 2018
  • Printed Publications and Persons of Ordinary Skill
    Landslide, November/December 2017
  • Shift Toward Fee Awards in Delaware
    Law360, October 2014
  • Patent Law Basics
    Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, May 2016 
  • End of Days for Patent Trolls?
    Law Week Colorado, December 2013
  • Crime Victim Rights and Remedies
    Colorado Lawyer, October 2010 (book review)

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association — Section of Intellectual Property
  • Colorado Intellectual Property Inn of Court
  • PTAB Bar Association (Program Committee)
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • California Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • Sister Carmen Community Center — Board Member (Former Chair)
  • Center for Legal Inclusiveness — Board Member
  • Humane Society of Boulder Valley — Board Member

Firm Leadership

  • Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® — Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2023-25
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity — Fellow, 2017
  • Public Counsel Law Center — Consumer Law Project "Advocate of the Year," 2008
  • Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2014
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020, 2022-23
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016, 2018-19