George F. Lehnigk

George F. Lehnigk joined Edell, Shapiro & Finnan as a Partner in 2014 to introduce his high-technology clients to a U.S. intellectual property firm that is particularly well suited to the expectations and objectives of mid-sized, innovative European companies. At ESF George works alongside a group of professionals who share his commitment to offering high-quality legal services in a strategically sophisticated yet cost-effective manner. He personally manages the portfolios which clients entrust to him and regularly meets with them to understand and address their U.S. intellectual property goals. He is bilingual in German and English.

George has been practicing in the patent field since 1986 and specializes in preparing and prosecuting patent applications in electrical, optical, and mechanical fields, including

• automation
• diagnostic systems
• filtration, separation and collection technologies
• illumination, projection and exposure systems
• imaging systems and elements including lenses, mirrors and coatings
• magnetic resonance technologies
• medical devices and methods
• metrology and spectroscopy including weighing technologies and spectrometers
• microlithographic systems and methods
• sensor technology including probes
• superconductors and cryogenic systems
• testing and validation equipment

In addition, he provides opinions on patent validity and infringement issues and counsels clients and colleagues on pre-litigation as well as other portfolio and strategy issues.

After double-majoring in Physics and German at Duke University, George accepted a trainee position in the Patent Department of Siemens AG in Erlangen, Germany, where he drafted and prosecuted patent applications for the company’s medical division. He returned to the United States in 1988 to attend George Washington University’s National Law Center and graduated with honors in 1991. He was then hired as an associate at a large Washington DC intellectual property boutique where he became an equity partner in 1999.

Outside of work, George enjoys biking to the local farmers’ market, attending jazz or blues concerts, or simply relaxing with his family. Vacations often include hiking, a fine dining experience, and good conversations with family and friends.

George Lehnigk ist Patentanwalt in der Kanzlei Edell, Shapiro & Finnan im Groβraum der Bundeshauptstadt Washington, D.C. Herr Lehnigk ist zweisprachig mit Deutsch und Englisch aufgewachsen und vertritt in den U.S.A. deutsche Mandanten entweder direkt oder in Zusammenarbeit mit deutschen Patentanwaltskanzleien auf dem Gebiet des gewerblichen Rechtschutzes. Herr Lehnigk ist insbesondere in der Lage, gezielt auf die US-Patentbedürfnisse eines deutschen Unternehmens einzugehen. Zum Beispiel führt er seine Mandantengespräche auf Deutsch und zieht auf Wunsch des Mandanten während des Prüfverfahrens die parallelen Verfahren aus den deutschen und europäischen Patentämtern in Betracht. Derartige Maβnahmen führen erfahrugsgemäβ zu einer besonders kostengünstigen und zielsicheren Bearbeitung von Prüfbescheiden im Anmeldungsverfahren in den U.S.A.