David Risley has been an IP attorney with Thomas|Horstemeyer for over 20 years. Dave’s practice has primarily focused on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications for mechanical, electrical, and software technologies, especially as they pertain to medical innovations that incorporate them.

Dave began his intellectual property (IP) career at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

During his tenure at the USPTO, Dave practiced as a Patent Examiner in the medical technologies area (Art Unit 3302) and had the opportunity to examine hundreds of patent applications pertaining to various medical inventions, particularly those related to surgical and physical rehabilitation devices. Dave left the USPTO in 1997 to begin his career as an IP attorney with Thomas|Horstemeyer.

In addition to patent application preparation and prosecution, Dave has extensive experience in rendering legal opinions on various patent law subjects including patent infringement, non-infringement, validity, and invalidity. Dave currently practices out of the firm’s Los Angeles office but represents clients across the United States.