About David K
David K. Tellekson is a partner in the Litigation Group at Fenwick & West LLP, located in Seattle, Washington. He joined the firm in 2010, bringing experience to lead its intellectual property litigation practice. Before his tenure at Fenwick & West, he served as the managing principal at Darby & Darby in Seattle, where he developed his skills in IP law and litigation. His educational background includes a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, which he earned in 1979, followed by a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1983. Admitted to practice in multiple states, Mr.
Tellekson is licensed in Washington since 2003, Illinois since 1983, Minnesota since 1986, and New York since 2006. Additionally, he is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. This lets the attorney represent clients in complex patent matters. At Fenwick & West, he focuses on patent disputes across many technologies, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and industrial chemistry. His diverse practice enables him to address the challenges faced by clients in these rapidly evolving fields. Throughout his career, Mr. Tellekson has achieved significant recognition for his contributions to intellectual property law.
From 2020 to 2025, he has been acknowledged by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in Intellectual Property in Washington. Furthermore, he has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers for Washington from 2008 to 2025, evidence of his standing in the legal community. In 2011, he secured a landmark victory for Novozymes in a patent infringement case against Danisco, a subsidiary of DuPont. This case culminated in a unanimous jury verdict of willful infringement and an award of $18.2 million in damages, showcasing his litigation prowess. In addition to his successful case outcomes, Mr. Tellekson has received accolades from various legal publications. He was recognized as an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property and named Washington's Outstanding Litigator in both 2018 and 2020. His expertise extends beyond litigation; he is a member of the Seattle Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, where he engages with fellow practitioners on important legal issues.
Mr. Tellekson is also a prolific writer and lecturer, frequently discussing patent law and litigation topics. His presentations cover the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property, strategies for attacking and defending pharmaceutical patents, and litigation issues in licensing. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition by U.S. News - Best Lawyers for his work in biotechnology and life sciences, patent litigation, and intellectual property litigation from 2015 to 2021. This combination of practice, recognition, and thought leadership solidifies David K — Tellekson's reputation as a leading figure in intellectual property law.
