Biography
Kirk A. Damman practices in all areas of intellectual property law, with an emphasis on helping startup and growing companies begin to manage, license, and gain value from their intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets) as well as obtain protection for their most important ideas and products. With a degree in physics and licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for more than 20 years, Kirk works with clients whose products are as diverse as circuit and electrical designs, medical devices, computer software and Internet, heavy equipment and manufacturing, alternative energy and fuel, and consumer goods.
Kirk co-authored two books on patent law and is a mentor for local startups with Gateway Volunteer Mentoring Service. He also works with startups in other areas including issues related to crowdfunding campaigns and additive manufacturing (3D Printing). Kirk is also an active member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, where he was formerly the Chairman of the Committee for Emerging Technologies. He is also involved with the Intellectual Property Committee of the IEEE. In 2018, Kirk was selected to receive Missouri Lawyer's Media's Top Legal Innovation Award.
Kirk was selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars® 2010 and 2013.
Practice Areas
- Intellectual Property
- Media & Communications
- Information Technology
- Technology Licensing
- Entrepreneurship & Startup Law
- Recreation
- Opportunity Zones
Education
- Harvard University School of Law (J.D., 1999)
- Harvard Journal of Law and Technology, line editor
- Harvard Law School Drama Society, technical director
- Carleton College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1996)
- Physics and Economics
- Kings College, Cambridge, UK (1995)
- Foreign Study Program, Economics
Legal Background
- Director, Patent Agency Program, Webster University (August 2008-present)
- Professor of patent law, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - Ongoing Examiner Education Program (July 2007-present)
- Adjunct professor of patent law and patent drafting, Webster University (October 2006-present)
- Associate, Foley, Hoag & Eliot, Boston, MA (1999-2001)
Professional Affiliations
- Mentor, Gateway Volunteer Mentoring Service (GVMS)
- Affiliate member, Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA)
- Committee for Emerging Technologies, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) (Chairman, 2011-2013; Vice Chairman, 2009-2011)
- Chair, Subcommittee on Alternative Fuels, American Intellectual Property Law Association (2007-2008)
- American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law (IPL) Section
- Intellectual Property Committee (IPC) and Intellectual Property Professionals Committee (IPPC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (2009)
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Admissions
- Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. District Courts, Eastern District of Missouri and District of Massachusetts
- Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Missouri Bar
Charitable & Civic Activities
- Chairman, Business Retention and Expansion Committee, Saint Louis Economic Development Partnership (2016-present)
Honors & Awards
- Missouri Lawyer's Media's Top Legal Innovation Award (2018)
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly Top Patent Attorneys (2016-2021)
- St. Louis Small Business Monthly Top Small Business Lawyers (January 2015)
- Patent Buddy® 2011 Top Patent Prosecutor
