James Hietala

James Hietala is a seasoned legal professional specializing in patent litigation strategy, currently serving as Counsel at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox since September 2020. With a robust background in patent law, James held the position of Director of Post Grant Proceedings at Intellectual Ventures from December 2014 to September 2020, and previously worked as an Associate Attorney at Carlson Caspers, where James received recognition as a Rising Star by Minnesota Super Lawyers three times. In addition to hands-on legal practice, James contributed to legal education as a Moot Court Instructor at the University of Minnesota Law School from 2008 to 2010. Early in the legal career, James gained diverse experience through summer associate roles at notable firms and a technical advisory position focusing on patent applications. James holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.