Cole Tipton is an intellectual property litigator focusing on complex patent and trade secret litigation. He has represented clients before the International Trade Commission (ITC), U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and federal courts.

Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Cole’s litigation experience includes managing discovery, drafting dispositive motions, preparing expert witnesses, conducting depositions, and arguing disputed terms during Markman hearings. He has also played a key role in trial preparation, including developing opening and closing arguments, witness outlines, and trial presentations.

Cole began his legal career at Kirkland & Ellis, where he worked on complex intellectual property matters, and later joined Snell & Wilmer. During law school, he clerked for Chief Judge Bullock at the ITC, where he drafted memoranda and initial determinations and attended hearings and case management conferences.

Cole graduated at the top of his class from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2020, earning Order of the Coif honors. While in law school, he served as Symposium Editor for the Wake Forest Law Review, competed on the Moot Court Team, and was recognized for his advocacy skills in trial competitions. He also authored a published article on patent law damages.

Before law school, Cole earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering, magna cum laude, from the University of Kentucky. During his undergraduate years, he served as President of both the University of Kentucky Interfraternity Council and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and was a member of Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering Honor Society.

Outside of his legal career, Cole is a certified private pilot, holding an FAA Private Pilot Certificate, which reflects his dedication to mastering complex skills and his passion for aviation.

Representative Matters

• Won $16.3 million jury verdict for a global agricultural manufacturer; jury upheld validity on all six challenged claims.

• Defended patent suit for fluid application company; developed antitrust counterclaims through deposition leading to favorable positioning pre-trial. Won invalidity and non-infringement verdict at jury trial.

• Secured favorable settlement for fitness-equipment manufacturer in ITC action involving streaming technologies.

• Defended RFID tolling manufacturer in expedited ITC case (10-month schedule); achieved favorable result pre-hearing.

• Investigated trade-secret misappropriation for aerospace client; advised on enforcement and mitigation.

• Supported FRAND and global patent litigation in the Eastern District of Texas for major telecom client.

• Defended government contractor in multi-district litigation relating to COVID era contracts and shipping disputes. Drafted key motions preventing one plaintiff’s attempt to amend complaint and achieved favorable pre-trial settlement in related litigation.

Publications

• “Apple v Masimo: Could a Fed. Cir. Decision Limit Patent Cases at the ITC”, Co-Author, World Intellectual Property Review (July 29, 2025)

• “SAP, Google, Goodyear: Hot summer cases at the Federal Circuit“, Co-Author, World Intellectual Property Review (July 23, 2025)

• “How Artificial Intelligence Will Naturally Affect Patentability“, Co-Author, Westlaw Today (March 24, 2025)