John H. Mutchler

John H. Mutchler, a partner, is an intellectual property lawyer with extensive experience in patent appeals, trademark and copyright prosecution and litigation. He chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee and guides the firm in its commitment to advancing DEI within the firm and in the larger community.

John’s global practice includes patent prosecution and reexamination proceedings; IP licensing; U.S. government and private company contracting; copyright and trademark consulting and litigation; portfolio management; and IP due diligence in bankruptcy proceedings, asset purchase and sales agreements, business formation, and mergers and acquisitions. Known as responsive, detail-oriented and client-focused, he represents international corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and individuals. 

A professional engineer licensed in Connecticut, John has extensive industry experience. In addition to serving in corporate executive and senior management positions with responsibility for energy-related technology research and development, he holds patents for diagnostic and data acquisition systems. 

John’s extensive industry and legal experience spans many sectors, ranging from energy generation, electro-mechanical and manufacturing, to clothing and apparel, environmental and conservation. His diverse IP practice encompasses: 

•    Nuclear power
•    Fuel cells and fossil power
•    Electro-mechanical equipment, including bearings
•    Valve design, manufacturing, operation and testing
•    Welding and metal fabrication
•    Medical devices
•    Extrusion and applications of polymers and plastic sheet formation
•    Rotating equipment, including compressors, pumps and bearings
•    Aerospace and rail system components
•    Food and beverages
•    Apparel, including tee-shirts and athletic clothing
•    Copyright protection for manuscripts, poems, books, drawings, sketches and sculptures

An astute litigator, John also represents clients in appeals before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He has led four PTAB appeals, each of which resulted in obtaining patent protection for his clients. 

When not practicing law, John is an avid runner and equestrian athlete. 

Representative Cases:

• Emseal Joint Systems, LTD. v. Schul International, Co., LLC et al -  Patent Infringement 
• Emseal Joint Systems, LTD. v. MM Systems Inc. – Patent Infringement
• Takamine Gakki Co., LTD v. KMC Music, Inc. et al - Trademark Litigation
• Clearwater Systems Corporation v. Clearwater Enviro Technologies Inc. - Trademark and Copyright Infringement proceeding.
• David A. Potts and Geomatrix, LLC v. S-Box LLC – Patent Infringement
• DGG Properties Co., Inc. v. Giovanni’s II, Inc. – Trademark Infringement

• Emerging Companies
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Intellectual Property
• Business and Finance
• Energy

• South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC), Board member, Treasurer, Board of Directors
• Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD), Board member

• Connecticut Excellence Award, Best Mentor, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2020
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Copyright Law (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC)

• August 19, 2021 - 40 Murtha Cullina Attorneys Receive “Best Lawyers in America” Recognition
• February 5, 2021 - John H. Mutchler Elected to Board of Directors of South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut
• August 20, 2020 - 48 Murtha Cullina Attorneys Receive “Best Lawyers in America” Recognition
• April 12, 2017 - Murtha Cullina LLP Continues To Expand Intellectual Property Practice Group

• May 5, 2022 - Export Week: Global Considerations Related to Intellectual Property Rights
• May 6, 2021 - Global Intellectual Property (IP) Protection Webinar

• July 1, 2021 - Intellectual Property Group News: Patent Drawings: Are They Subject to Copyright Protection?
• June 18, 2021 - Intellectual Property Group News: How China's Foreign Investment Laws are Expected to Impact U.S. Entities
• June 10, 2021 - Intellectual Property Group News: Supreme Court Will Hear Copyright Case: How its Decision May Impact the Validity of Future Copyright Registrations
• May 26, 2020 - Intellectual Property Group News: COVID-19 Patent Applications Offered Prioritized Examination by the U.S. Patent Office

• October 7, 2021 - Elizabeth Galletta, Dave Menard and John Mutchler Presenting “Nuts & Bolts of IP Law” for the ACC of Westchester/Southern Connecticut
• April 27, 2017 - John Mutchler, Elizabeth Gallatta and Anthony Gangemi to Conduct Intellectual Property Briefing during Department of Commerce Export Week

• Connecticut
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

• Quinnipiac University School of Law (J.D., 2001)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (M.S. in Metallurgy, 1989)
• Western New England University (M.S. in Engineering Management, 1987)
• Manhattan College (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1979)