Nicholas Smith, Ph.D., Partner

Waco, TX

O: (713) 623-4844 D: (713) 577-4829
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Legal Skill Paired with Technical Expertise

Nick Smith draws on his extensive legal and chemistry knowledge to turn challenging intellectual property matters into success stories for clients across the country and in his home state, such as in Houston, Waco, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth. He prepares and prosecutes patent applications and litigates and disputes issued U.S. and foreign patent applications across many technology sectors — including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and polymers.

Nick has a broad-based and diverse patent practice. He frequently leads freedom-to-operate matters for clients, including landscape studies, patent infringement risk assessments, and provides written opinions. For example, he helps protect the intellectual property of international oil and gas companies, multinational aerospace corporations, and pharmaceutical companies.

Nick has also secured winning results for clients in post-grant proceedings. His recent work includes assisting multiple clients with non-practicing entity patent assertions as well as protecting a client’s patent in an ex parte reexamination at the Federal Circuit level. Nick has also argued orally before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board on many occasions. He has also secured IP protection for clients through design patents, trademarks and copyrights.

These experiences give Nick a unique insight to provide sophisticated guidance for IP protection and risk assessment and develop his effectiveness at building client relationships.

Fast-track efficiency that saves clients money

Nick understands the technical aspects of his clients’ industries thanks to his Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry and previous work experience with a major oil and gas manufacturer. He is committed to understanding the law, new technology, and how he can best support his clients, working seamlessly with in-house engineers and attorneys to achieve clients’ business and legal objectives. Over the years, Nick has earned the trust of his clients. He has also helped develop new client relationships alongside other partners at the firm and routinely meets with clients in person to further solidify these relationships.

Always thinking about the big picture, Nick excels in seeing the commercial value and implications of technologies that others may not always consider. As an example, when drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Nick’s goal is to get a patent issued quickly — not only to save the client money but to empower the client to begin accruing damages against infringers sooner rather than later.

Clients looking to protect their intellectual property or expand internationally turn to Nick for his experience working across different regions. He has represented clients’ intellectual property interests in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East.

A mentor to the next generation

Nick enjoys working with, mentoring and teaching younger associates and patent agents. He particularly values seeing their development and supporting them as they grow in their roles.

When he’s not hard at work for his clients, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter. He’s an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and also cheers for the sports teams of his alma maters: Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and Saint Louis University. He also picked up a new hobby and began playing guitar during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Practice Areas

Education

  • J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, 2014
  • Ph.D., Bioorganic Chemistry, Texas Christian University, 2011
  • B.S., Chemistry, Baylor University, 2007

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, American Chemical Society
  • Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Member, Austin Intellectual Property Law Association

Special Honors

  • “Ones to Watch” in Patent Law, Best Lawyers in America®, 2024

Legal Skill Paired with Technical Expertise

Nick Smith draws on his extensive legal and chemistry knowledge to turn challenging intellectual property matters into success stories for clients across the country and in his home state, such as in Houston, Waco, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth. He prepares and prosecutes patent applications and litigates and disputes issued U.S. and foreign patent applications across many technology sectors — including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and polymers.

Nick has a broad-based and diverse patent practice. He frequently leads freedom-to-operate matters for clients, including landscape studies, patent infringement risk assessments, and provides written opinions. For example, he helps protect the intellectual property of international oil and gas companies, multinational aerospace corporations, and pharmaceutical companies.

Nick has also secured winning results for clients in post-grant proceedings. His recent work includes assisting multiple clients with non-practicing entity patent assertions as well as protecting a client’s patent in an ex parte reexamination at the Federal Circuit level. Nick has also argued orally before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board on many occasions. He has also secured IP protection for clients through design patents, trademarks and copyrights.

These experiences give Nick a unique insight to provide sophisticated guidance for IP protection and risk assessment and develop his effectiveness at building client relationships.

Fast-track efficiency that saves clients money

Nick understands the technical aspects of his clients’ industries thanks to his Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry and previous work experience with a major oil and gas manufacturer. He is committed to understanding the law, new technology, and how he can best support his clients, working seamlessly with in-house engineers and attorneys to achieve clients’ business and legal objectives. Over the years, Nick has earned the trust of his clients. He has also helped develop new client relationships alongside other partners at the firm and routinely meets with clients in person to further solidify these relationships.

Always thinking about the big picture, Nick excels in seeing the commercial value and implications of technologies that others may not always consider. As an example, when drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Nick’s goal is to get a patent issued quickly — not only to save the client money but to empower the client to begin accruing damages against infringers sooner rather than later.

Clients looking to protect their intellectual property or expand internationally turn to Nick for his experience working across different regions. He has represented clients’ intellectual property interests in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East.

A mentor to the next generation

Nick enjoys working with, mentoring and teaching younger associates and patent agents. He particularly values seeing their development and supporting them as they grow in their roles.

When he’s not hard at work for his clients, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter. He’s an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and also cheers for the sports teams of his alma maters: Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and Saint Louis University. He also picked up a new hobby and began playing guitar during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

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