Band 4
Provided by David Clonts
Clonts IP offers a full spectrum of IP services. Key practice areas include:
Due‑Diligence & Investment‑Grade IP Analysis – advising litigation funders and private‑equity firms on IP‑heavy deals; assessing patent strength and enforceability, litigation risk, ownership chains of title, and valuation for funding or acquisition decisions. Clients rely on David to identify red flags or uncover hidden value.
IP Strategy & Portfolio Counseling – helping companies build, manage and monetize patent and trademark portfolios; identifying protectable innovations, conducting IP audits and developing strategies aligned with business goals and potential acquirers or investors. His practical guidance prevents over‑patenting and litigation pitfalls.
Licensing & Transactions – negotiating and drafting inbound/outbound licenses, joint‑development agreements, non‑disclosure/confidentiality agreements and technology transfer agreements for companies and individuals.
Trade Secrets & Technology Protection – advising on trade‑secret identification and protection policies, employee‑training and exit protocols, confidentiality and non‑compete agreements, and developing litigation strategies for misappropriation.
Intellectual Property Litigation – representing clients in high‑stakes patent and IP disputes across a broad range of technologies. David has served as lead counsel in multi‑year litigations involving semiconductors, medical devices, navigation technologies and telecommunications, often securing favorable verdicts or strategic settlements.
David R. Clonts is a nationally recognized trial attorney and strategic intellectual‑property advisor. His career of more than three decades has spanned every aspect of patent and technology disputes, including patent, trade‑secret and commercial litigation and patent prosecution/diligence work. He has managed over 70 disputes in federal and state courts across the United States and before the Patent and Trademark Office, acting for Fortune 500 companies, global brands and technology innovators
After graduating with an electrical‑engineering degree, David entered private practice at Pravel, Gambrell, Kimball & Krieger in 1991, a Houston‑based IP litigation and transactional boutique. He later spent more than twenty years as a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and subsequently co‑founded Cadwell Clonts Reeder & Thomas, where he served as founding partner. In 2025 he launched Clonts IP, PLLC, a boutique firm that combines big‑firm expeerience with the agility of a specialized practice.
David uses his litigation experience to provide strategic counseling to technology companies, start‑ups, litigation funders and portfolio‑acquisition entities, advising on the strength and weaknesses of individual cases, campaigns and patent portfolios. He emphasizes aligning legal strategy with each client’s business objectives and is known for offering practical early assessments that can save time and resources. Clients regard him as part of their extended internal team, appreciating his integrity, strategic insight and commitment to client success.
American Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Houston Intellectual Property Law Association
Houston Bar Association
The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Intellectual Property American Inn of Court
When he is not practicing law, David enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters and pursuing his passion of trekking in the backcountry.
Billion‑dollar semiconductor case – lead trial counsel for a major semiconductor manufacturer in a landmark DRAM infringement case, winning a take‑nothing jury verdict later recognized on The National Law Journal’s “Defense Hot List”.
Telecom client representation – more than 20 years representing one of the nation’s leading telecommunications and internet‑service providers, litigating patent disputes, conducting acquisition diligence and advising on inbound and outbound licensing.
Vehicle‑navigation dispute – lead defense counsel in an eight‑year patent litigation involving high‑stakes claims in the navigation industry.
Medical‑device due diligence – strategic due‑diligence advisor to a global medical‑device company during a significant acquisition bid, evaluating core IP assets and risks.
Ongoing counsel – advisor for over a decade to a top U.S. telecommunications provider on strategic IP matters and complex opinion work.
Ophthalmic‑device litigation – lead counsel in a successful campaign for an ophthalmic‑technology company in multiple patent disputes over LASIK blade technology, leading to defendants exiting the sector.
Litigation‑funder diligence – primary diligence counsel for litigation funders in more than 100 patent matters.
David Clonts’ technical and industry experience covers a wide array of advanced technologies:
Electronics & Semiconductors – DRAM, Flash and memory architecture; semiconductor fabrication processes; modem technologies.
Biomedical & Medical Devices – LASIK and ophthalmic surgical technologies, femtosecond laser systems, intraocular lenses and vaccine technology.
Energy & Exploration – downhole drilling tools, high‑tech data analytics for oil & gas and integration of digital and legacy technologies.
Telecommunications – wireless standards (2G through 5G), enhanced 911 systems and encryption, radio access and broadband technologies.
Computing & Software – CAD and design‑integration software; networking, cybersecurity and IoT systems; printer, hardware and embedded systems.
Broadband & Internet Infrastructure – fiber‑optic and internetworking protocols, internet communications and safety systems.
State of Texas
U.S. District Courts – Northern, Southern, Western & Eastern Districts of Texas
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Clonts IP serves clients across a range of technical and fast‑moving sectors, including:
Semiconductors & Electronics
Medical Devices
Telecom & Wireless Infrastructure
Navigation & Automotive Systems
Enterprise Software & SaaS
Energy Sector
Litigation Funding & PE‑Backed Ventures
University of Texas School of Law
J.D.
1991
George Institute of Technology
B.S.E.E.
1987
Provided by Chambers