Intellectual Property
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For Jeff Harty, science and law intersect in his intellectual property litigation practice. Mix in his desire to help people solve problems, and you have a dedicated intellectual property advocate. As a registered patent attorney, Jeff represents companies and inventors on both sides of IP disputes: when someone is potentially trespassing or infringing on his client’s rights and when his client is charged with trespassing or infringing on others’ rights. While finding resolution is the primary objective, Jeff also enjoys the cerebral and unique characteristics of each case. “It’s not cookie cutter,” he says. “It can be an advocacy challenge to take a patented invention and really bring it to life—to tell a story to a jury in a way that they can understand and appreciate the invention and who’s right and who’s wrong.” In zealously representing his clients, Jeff has found authenticity and sincerity to be his most valuable assets. “The jury sees everything,” Jeff says. “It’s not just what you say in court, but it’s the way in which you say it. The jury is looking at everything, judging credibility, and who do they believe and not believe—who is the truth-giver. You really want your witnesses to be perceived as the truth-givers.” In that pursuit, Jeff has learned that—while he takes everything he’s learned from all of his mentors and extensive trial experience into court—you have to be yourself. “You have your own style and you have to own it.” His style comes down to three things. He is hard-charging, is dedicated to his clients (but doesn’t take himself too seriously), and knows it’s not about him but about his client. When he’s not litigating, Jeff is a certified mediator. “It’s an opportunity for me to look at the merits of the underlying case for strengths and weaknesses, and then use that and the whole psychology of mediation to help bring the parties together and reach a resolution,” Jeff says. “You’re helping people to bring closure and peace to situations, but you really have to have an understanding of the issues.” Now, with years of experience in IP law, Jeff shares his knowledge by teaching law students at the University of Iowa. “The thing that really excites me about teaching my students is they typically have a real thirst for knowledge,” he says. “It’s not only a thirst for knowledge to understand the relevant law but how to use it in practice to actually make a difference. That’s one thing that I can bring to the table.” Contact info: [email protected] 515-283-8038 Click here to visit website
Anna Robinson
When a competitor in the agricultural equipment sector began producing a component that was a clear infringement of our patented design, our small manufacturing company in Eastern Iowa was at a loss. The technical nuances were complex, and we needed an attorney who could grasp both the legal and engineering principles at play. Jeff Harty was precisely that advocate. From our first consultation in his Portland office, it was evident that his background in blending science with law was not just a line on a profile—it was his operational mode. He meticulously deconstructed the technology, explained our position with clarity, and formulated a litigation strategy that was both aggressive and pragmatic. His professionalism in negotiations was unwavering, yet he maintained a personal commitment to our business's survival that we deeply appreciated. The result was a favorable settlement that protected our intellectual property without the drain of a prolonged court battle. Jeff’s expertise in IP litigation, combined with his genuine desire to solve complex problems, makes him an invaluable resource for any innovator in Iowa needing to defend their creations.
