MARVIN J. SPIVAK is a founding partner of Oblon, Spivak. Serving as the firm's managing partner for 38 years, Mr. Spivak oversaw its growth from a small firm of just three attorneys into one of the world's leading intellectual property (IP) firms with more than 100 attorneys.
A former electronics and computers Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and former Patent Advisor for Office of Naval Research, Mr. Spivak is highly regarded for his in-depth knowledge of the U.S. intellectual property system, especially in the area of electrical patent prosecution. In the early 1970s, Mr. Spivak co-authored a book with Norman Oblon designed to guide Japanese companies through the U.S. patent prosecution system. It is believed to be the first such book published in Japanese. Nearly 40 years later, the firm boasts a significant Japanese client base and in 2009 was the first law firm to ever obtain 4,000 U.S. patents in a single year.
Mr. Spivak helped the firm achieve many milestones during his tenure as managing partner, including moving the firm's headquarters to its current 200,000-square-foot building located adjacent to the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia. He led the development of much of the firm's current infrastructure, including its cutting-edge technologies, proprietary docketing software and foreign filing systems.
As a strategic advisor to the Electrical Patent Prosecution, Trademark, and Litigation practice groups, Mr. Spivak analyzes legal trends, conducts client research and development, and guides the firm's attorneys as they protect their clients' IP interests. He has written extensively for foreign audiences on the U.S. patent system and patent prosecution.
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
District of Columbia Bar
Federal Bar Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
International Trademark Association (INTA)
Inter-Pacific Bar Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
Accolades
Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5
Patent Law Expert (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009)
Super Lawyers (2006-2009)
Trademark Law Expert (biennial survey: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Resources
News
Oblon, Spivak's Moot Court Room Featured on the March 2005 Cover of The Lawyers Magazine
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Oblon, Spivak Obtains Most U.S. Utility Patents in 2004
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Oblon, Spivak Continues Leading Record for Obtaining Most U.S. Patents--Number One Position Held for 13th Consecutive Year
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Events
Oblon, Spivak Celebrates 40 Years
Monday, February 9, 2009