Craig Gelfound

Partner
Craig is the head of ArentFox Schiff’s Intellectual Property Group in the Los Angeles office, leading more than 35 intellectual property attorneys and legal professionals.
Craig Gelfound, IP Partner

Craig has long been recognized as one of the premier intellectual property attorneys in the country. Recently, he was named for the twelfth consecutive year by the Daily Journal as one of the Top Intellectual Property attorneys in California, and the Los Angeles Business Journal has acknowledged Craig as one of the “Most Influential IP Attorneys” in Los Angeles. Craig has been honored among the nation’s best attorneys by Legal 500, where he is described as an “international IP legend.” Chambers USA recognizes him as a leader in his field. Craig has also been recognized as an Intellectual Property “Super Lawyer” by California Super Lawyer Magazine and was named an “IP Star” by Managing IP (MIP) Magazine. He also serves as an adjunct member of the faculty at Southwestern University School of Law, where he teaches patent law.

Client Work

Craig has been recognized for his extraordinary track record with successfully monetizing intellectual property to maximize return on investment by procuring, managing, licensing and enforcing domestic and global portfolios for multinational corporations, middle market companies, and emerging entrepreneurships. Craig is also a highly skilled litigator, serving as lead counsel in cases involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, and commercial transactions. 

Previous Work

After earning a bachelor’s of science in electrical engineering, Craig worked as a design engineer in a major telecommunications company designing signal processors for military radar applications. He later served as project manager for one of the largest air traffic control radar contracts with the United States Air Force. From 1999 to 2001, Craig was a special assistant attorney general for the state of Oregon. Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, he was a partner in the Los Angeles office of a leading international law firm.

Professional Activities

Craig  is also active member in the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Association and past President of the Barristers for the Pasadena Bar Association. Craig serves on the Board of Directors for the Pete Conrad Foundation. 

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Since 2011, Craig has been continuously recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the Top Intellectual Property Lawyers in California. Craig was also recognized as a leading intellectual property attorney by Super Lawyers magazine in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and was selected as a recommended attorney by Legal 500 in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2023. Craig is also recognized as an “IP Star” by Managing Intellectual Property

Craig’s publications include:

  • “Patent Considerations and the Metaverse”, ArentFox Schiff AlertOctober 31, 2022
  • “Q&A With Arent Fox’s Craig Gelfound,” Law360, July 23, 2013
  • “Best Mode Requirement — a Right Without a Remedy?,” The Recorder, July 12, 2013
  • “Emerging Trends in Business Method Patents, Patent Drafting Strategies in a Post-Bilski Era (pp.97-107),” Aspatore Books, Inside the Minds, 2012
  • International
  • Bar & Court Admissions
    • California Bar
    • US Patent and Trademark Office Bar
    • US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
    • US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
    • US District Court, Northern District of California
    • US District Court, Central District of California
    • US District Court, Southern District of California
  • Education
    Southwestern University School of Law, JD, magna cum laude, recipient of seven American Jurisprudence Awards, 1994
    San Diego State University, BS, Electrical Engineering, 1983

Awards

Awards

The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms

Firm Logo

2022 Daily Journal Badge

Super Lawyers Badge Craig Gelfound