Adept Opinion

John Yoakum

John is a seasoned engineer, inventor, subject matter expert, and ‘one skilled in the art’ of communications and associated technologies from his many years as a recognized industry expert in predicting the future of interactive communications.

John has broad exposure to innovation and the nuances of patent processes as a prolific inventor, often assisting in developing and perfecting claims, patent application prosecutions, and defensive matters. He is quick to decipher concepts and their relationships and analyze how various pieces of art may be connected or differentiated.

John is highly skilled in articulating and explaining complex constructs and relationships. He has conceived and driven to market many communications solutions and related business processes.

Having served on numerous corporate new patent disclosure assessment committees for the past 20 years, John has evaluated and rated many thousands of invention disclosures spanning numerous technologies, often mentoring inventors in successfully capturing their ideas. He is well respected for his integrity and masterful handling of confidential situations.

‘Adept opinion’ is an accurate description of John’s perspectives — expert, skilled, proficient, easily understood, and efficient for those seeking them.

John is well versed in the entire ideation and intellectual property life cycle. He provides an inventor's view as well as deep corporate experience in the many aspects and activities involved with creating new value and patents. While John is highly skilled at demystifying innovation as an expert witness, he can offer assistance in many areas including:

Patent analysis
Portfolio evaluation
Patent invalidation
Litigation assistance
Office action assistance
Claims interpretation and mapping
Prior art research
Patent and technology licensing
Patent recognition and rewards

Invention mining
Inventor mentoring
Innovation culture and training
Disclosure capture approaches
Disclosure review processes
Disclosure analysis and rating
Foreign filing desirability
Disruptive technology consultation
Business process development

Driving innovation along with identifying and protecting an organization's intellectual property is critical to staying competitive in the marketplace. John brings over 35 years of experience to help clients deal with the many challenges and complexities of building and managing an organization's intellectual property across a broad range of technologies. Adept Opinion handles all matters with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity to what communications are best handled verbally or in writing.

Expert witness example

Showcasing John's talents in demystifying innovation, here is an expert witness declaration supporting four inter partes review petitions prepared by Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP for one of their clients.

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Professional career summary

A track record of achievement spanning technology research and development, systems architecture, business development, product management, customer interactions, and innovation in the communications industry.
Recognized for building sustainable partnerships and interacting with external partners, legal departments, and vendors.
Progressive levels of management in multiple research and development disciplines.
Leadership in software engineering, data analysis, configuration management, design tools, and world-class quality initiatives.
Experience in hardware design, development, and related design automation.
Regulatory and verbal presentation skills developed as an engineer and announcer for a commercial AM/FM station, and design, construction, and FCC licensing of an educational FM station.

Distinguished track record of innovation, integrity, leadership, teamwork, and associated individual contribution. Exemplified by industry recognition as a visionary expert in interactive communications.
Contributor to multiple standards bodies including IETF, co-author of adopted standards, working drafts, education material, and various technical articles and publications.
Research affiliations with MIT Media Lab and Georgia Tech Broadband Institute and College of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Numerous conference keynote addresses keeping the ‘future in focus.’
IEEE Senior Member recognized for significant professional achievement and a lifetime member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.
Various awards celebrating contributions and leadership, including volunteer and public service recognitions.