Prof. Howard Rockman

Howard B. Rockman, J.D., is a distinguished intellectual property attorney, consultant, author, and academic with more than five decades of experience. He has advised innovators, companies, and public institutions on the litigation, protection, and commercialization of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets across US and international jurisdictions. His career began at the US Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner, followed by his role as a Patent Attorney at the US Department of Justice. He later built a prominent private practice, serving as a partner at Lee Mann Smith et al./Barnes & Thornburg and of counsel at Reed Smith LLP, before co-founding Rockman Videbeck & O’Connor LLC.

Beyond practice, Howard is a noted educator and thought leader. He is an Adjunct Professor at The John Marshall Law School, teaching advanced patent law, and at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he lectures on IP law for engineers and scientists. He has authored influential texts, including Intellectual Property Law for Engineers and Scientists and The Practice of Intellectual Property Law, and has published widely in legal and engineering journals. Recognized as a Super Lawyer in 2005, his contributions also extend to professional societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and IEEE.

At TIV, Howard applies his unparalleled experience in intellectual property law to help clients craft effective IP strategies, manage litigation risks, and align innovation with business growth. His dual role as both practitioner and educator makes him a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs, engineers, and policymakers navigating the complex IP landscape.