Michael A. Davitz, M.D.

Partner

Michael Davitz, a partner at Leason Ellis, is a registered U.S. patent attorney and physician with over 15 years in biomedical research, and over 20 years providing strategic counseling to clients in all aspects of intellectual property law. His practice focuses on creating value for clients through the development and effective enforcement of intellectual property rights. He has counseled clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology area working with a diverse array of clients ranging from startups to multinational companies and universities. He has extensive international experience in Europe and Asia handling intellectual property problems ranging from cross border licensing deals, acquisitions, to patent litigation. Michael has represented clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the European Patent Office in Oppositions and the Chinese Re-examination and Invalidation Department.

Michael received his J.D. from New York University, his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, and his B.A. from Yale University. Prior to law school, he was an assistant professor of pathology and environmental medicine at New York University School of Medicine, where he was a Lucille P. Markey Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. Michael has published over 25 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Science and Nature. He is a regularly invited speaker on patent issues with the American Conference Institute, Practicing Law Institute, and the Commercial Law Development Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce. He is also a Trustee for the conservation group Save the Elephants.

  • New York University School of Law, J.D., 1997
  • College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, M.D., 1983
  • Yale University, B.A., Ethology, 1978
  • New York
  • Registered Patent Attorney: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Canadian Intellectual Property Office
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • Fahmi Sellers Embert & Davitz, Partner 2013-2016
  • Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, Partner, 2007-2013
  • Taro Pharmaceuticals, Vice-President-Intellectual Property, 2001-2007
  • White & Case, Associate, 1998-2001
  • Darby & Darby, Associate, 1997-1998
  • New York University School of Medicine, Assistant Professor, 1987-1994
  •  New York City Bar Association, Patent Committee, 2001 – 2004
  •  New York City Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • American Association of Immunologists
  • American Society of Cell Biology
  • Machine-Or-Transformation Test After Myriad: Implications to the Prosecution Of Process Claims,” Practicing Law Institute, Patent Law Practice Center, August 15, 2011
  • “Do You Have the Right to Sue: Understanding Contract Provisions in the Context of Litigation,” Practicing Law Institute, Patent Law Practice Center, July 26, 2011
  • “Life in the Fast Lane – Use of the Patent Prosecution Highway, Practicing Law Institute,” Patent Law Practice Center, February 15, 2011