Orville R. Cockings

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Orville worked for close to 10 years as an engineer at Bell Communications Research, Inc., the research and development arm of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (the “Baby Bells”). During that time, he worked on many of the technologies that have become mainstays driving today’s e‑commerce and mobile broadband services. Those technologies included wireless communication systems, switching systems, optics, digital circuits, network protocols and other areas within electrical engineering.

Orville not only has practical exposure to technology, but also spent his early patent career as in‑house counsel at Bellcore, where he engaged directly with inventors and management. This experience enables him to understand firsthand the real world pressures on technology corporations and the need for solution driven legal advice. While in-house, Orville worked with clients on a wide variety of matters, such as due diligence, including as part of spin-outs, developing portfolios with inventors at the forefront of various technologies, negotiating licenses and generally supporting business units within the company to meet their bottom line goals.

Orville’s real world practical exposure to technology and in-house client counseling is an asset in dealing with clients, judges, juries, expert witnesses and adversaries.

Orville has maintained a diverse practice including patent procurement, prosecution, opinion work, litigation and client counseling. His comfort with technology enables him to quickly get up to speed on complex legal and technical issues. His in-house legal experience is an ever present reminder that clients want solutions that balance business needs with legal protection. Orville has worked with both large and small clients in developing strategies and solutions tailored to their intellectual property needs.

In addition to his law practice, Orville was a lead barrister at the John C. Lifland American Inn of Court. He has also served as co-chair of the Intellectual Property Committee in the Business Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.