About John T.
John T. McNelis trained first as an engineer and then as a lawyer. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, with a concentration in Computer Engineering, from the University of Notre Dame in 1986. Six years later he received his J.D. from the College of William and Mary in 1992. That technical foundation and legal training set the course for a career at the intersection of technology and intellectual property law.
After law school McNelis moved into practice that bridged engineering and law. He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is also licensed in Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and California. Those credentials are common among attorneys who handle patent prosecution, patent counseling, and related matters that require both technical literacy and legal acumen.
A significant chapter of his professional life has been spent at Fenwick & West LLP. Records show his affiliation with the firm, where he worked on matters tied to technology clients and intellectual property. His engineering background informs how he approaches inventions and claims. He is known for assessing technical disclosures and translating them into drafted patent applications and legal opinions.
Colleagues and clients have looked to him for practical help on technical patent issues. He has experience across electrical and computer technologies, which aligns with his undergraduate concentration. That technical range allows him to work on matters involving software, circuits, and systems. In practice, he has engaged in work that spans drafting patent applications, advising on prosecution strategy, and supporting patent-related aspects of licensing discussions.
Over the years McNelis has combined courtroom-adjacent practice tools and patent office procedures to support his clients’ IP objectives. He keeps current with patent office rules and the procedural aspects of prosecution in multiple jurisdictions. His admission to several bars and registration at the USPTO enable him to file applications and represent applicants before the patent office in diverse matters.
In day-to-day practice McNelis balances technical detail with legal procedure. He reads specifications, evaluates claim scope, and counsels inventors and companies on the pragmatic steps to protect innovations. He currently concentrates his practice on patent prosecution and related intellectual property matters.
