Ronald L. Panitch Partner-Emeritus

• Bio//
• Articles & Presentations//
• Honors & Awards//
• Blog//
• Get To Know//

Ronald L. Panitch is a founding partner of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP.

Mr. Panitch brings tremendous experience to his consultative role, and is lauded for his impressive ability to negotiate and design creative settlements in IP disputes. Clients hail him as "a masterful attorney," and as having one of "the greatest commands of patent law." In addition to directly representing clients, he is frequently asked to appear as an expert witness in contested proceedings. His practice focuses on licensing and counseling in both patent and trademark matters.

From 1999 to December 2007 Mr. Panitch was a partner and went on to co-chair the transactional IP practice of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he is feted by peers as "being responsible for putting Akin Gump on the national IP map." He served on the management committee and was the Partner in Charge of the Philadelphia Office of Akin Gump.

Prior to joining Akin Gump, Mr. Panitch was a founding partner of Panitch Schwarze Jacobs & Nadel, P.C. He served as managing partner of the firm from its creation in 1983. Previously, he was engaged in private practice in Philadelphia. Mr. Panitch began his career in 1962 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where he worked as a patent examiner while attending law school.

Mr. Panitch received his B.S.M.E. in 1962 from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, from which he received the 2001 Alumni Achievement Honor Roll Medal for "outstanding achievement in intellectual property law." He received his LL.B. in 1965 from Georgetown University, where he was associate editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. Mr. Panitch is a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations; the Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association; and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a former member of the advisory board of the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.

Honors and Awards
Mr. Panitch has maintained the prestigious AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 1978. This AV rating signifies the highest rating available to any individual attorney and is a testament to the fact that he is ranked at the highest level of skill, integrity and overall professional excellence by his peers. He has also been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in every edition since 2006, and was named Philadelphia's No. 1 Intellectual Property "Lawyer of the Year" in 2011 by the same publication. He has been named among "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in every edition of Chambers USA since 2003, and has been selected for inclusion in the 2009 edition of Chambers Global's "World's Leading Lawyers for Business." Philadelphia Magazine twice named him one of the "Best Lawyers in Philadelphia" - in 1994 and again in 1999, the two years in which the magazine published its "Best Lawyers" list. In 2013, the Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association presented Mr. Panitch with its "Lifetime Achievement" award, an honor that reflects his legacy in IP law in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are issued after a secure online peer review surveys of lawyers across multiple jurisdictions and geographic locations. More information about Martindale Hubbell methodology can be found at https://www.martindale.com/ratings-and-reviews/.

The Super Lawyers® list is issued by Thomson Reuters under criteria applied by Super Lawyers®. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html.

Memberships

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, 1966 to Present
• Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association, 1967 to Present
• American Intellectual Property Law Association        
• The American Law Institute
• American Bar Foundation       

Articles & Presentations

Inventor and Panitch Schwarze Client Lonnie Johnson Featured by USPTO // June 24, 2020
Taking a great idea from concept to market can take years of hard work and unwavering persistence, as inventor Lonnie Johnson knows well. Johnson, who is a client of Panitch Schwarze’s, recently was featured in Journeys of Innovation, a series by the USPTO. Read more

5 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2020 PA Super Lawyers // May 8, 2020
The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that five of its IP attorneys have been named 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Read more

6 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2020 'Best Lawyers in America', 1 Named Lawyer of The Year // August 15, 2019
Philadelphia intellectual property lawyers listed among best in nation Read more

Chambers USA Ranks Panitch Schwarze Among Top IP Attorneys for 2019 // May 13, 2019
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is proud to announce that the firm again has been ranked among the top law firms in intellectual property law by Chambers USA, a leading legal ranking guide. In addition, the firm’s Philadelphia IP attorneys Martin G. Belisario, Ronald L. Panitch and Clark A. Jablon have been ranked individually for their prowess in IP law. Read more

5 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2019 PA Super Lawyers // May 9, 2019
The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that six of its IP attorneys have been named 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Read more

6 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2019 ‘Best Lawyers in America’, 1 Named Lawyer of The Year
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been named to the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most respected peer-review publications. In addition, partner Ronald L. Panitch was named the Best Lawyers 2019 Lawyer of The Year in the practice area of trade secrets law. Read more

7 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2018 PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars // May 18, 2018
The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that eight of its IP attorneys have been named 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Ranked Among Top IP Attorneys for 2018 by Chambers USA // May 10, 2018
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is proud to announce that the firm and several of its attorneys again have been ranked among the top attorneys in intellectual property law by Chambers USA, a leading legal ranking guide. In addition attorneys Martin G. Belisario, Ronald L. Panitch and Clark A. Jablon have been ranked individually for their prowess in IP law. Read more

Inventor Lonnie Johnson, Panitch Schwarze Client, Featured on CBS News // May 30, 2017
Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the patented Super Soaker® water gun, recently was interviewed for CBS News by Mo Rocca. Johnson is a client of Panitch Schwarze’s. Read more

Chambers USA Ranks Panitch Schwarze Among Top IP Attorneys for 2017 // May 26, 2017
Philadelphia and Wilmington IP lawyers ranked among top intellectual property practitioners in U.S. Read more

6 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2017 PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars // May 12, 2017
The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that six of its IP attorneys have been named 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named 2017 'IP Stars' // April 10, 2017
Pennsylvania intellectual property lawyers named among top IP attorneys by Managing Intellectual Property Read more

Panitch Schwarze Partner Named to 'Who's Who Legal' // November 2, 2016
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel is proud to announce that partner Ronald L. Panitch has been named to the 2016 list of Who’s Who Legal: Trademarks. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Named a 2017 'Best Law Firm' by U.S. News - Best Lawyers // November 1, 2016
The intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that it again has been named a "Best Law Firm" by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for 2017, achieving national rankings in the practice areas of intellectual property litigation, trademark law, patent litigation and patent law. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Founding Partner Honored by Philadelphia Bar Association // September 16, 2016
Ronald L. Panitch recognized for 50 years of service to the Philadelphia bar Read more

5 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Among 2017 'Best Lawyers in America' // August 15, 2016
The intellectual property law firm of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been named to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Read more

Chambers USA Ranks Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Among Top IP Attorneys for 2016 // May 31, 2016
Pennsylvania IP lawyers ranked among top intellectual property practitioners in United States. Read more

Thomson Reuters Names 8 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Among 2016 PA Super Lawyers and Rising Stars // May 13, 2016
Philadelphia and Wilmington IP lawyers listed among Pennsylvania’s and Delaware’s elite attorneys. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel Named a 2016 'Best Law Firm' by U.S. News - Best Lawyers // November 2, 2015
Pennsylvania and Delaware intellectual property law firm recognized by peers and clients for excellence in IP law. Read more

5 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named to 2016 'Best Lawyers in America' // August 17, 2015
Pennsylvania and Delaware intellectual property attorneys of Panitch Schwarze have been recognized by peers for excellence in IP law. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Recognized as 'Leaders in their Field' in Chambers USA 2015 // June 16, 2015
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, Martin G. Belisario, Alan S. Nadel, and Clark A. Jablon have been ranked as “Leaders in their Field” in the 2015 Chambers & Partners USA Directory in the field of Intellectual Property law. Read more

8 Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers' and 'Rising Stars' for 2015 // May 15, 2015
Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, Martin G. Belisario, and Alan S. Nadel have been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list as five of the top attorneys in Pennsylvania for 2015. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Attorneys Named 2015 'IP Stars' // April 15, 2015
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP, an intellectual property law firm, is pleased to announce that attorneys Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, and Alan S. Nadel have been named 2015 IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property, a leading source of news and analysis on intellectual property issues worldwide.  Read more

4 Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Named in 'Best Lawyers in America' 2015 // August 19, 2014
Intellectual Property attorneys from Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP were included in the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers recognized each of these attorneys for their Intellectual Property practice. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Recognized as 'Leaders in their Field' in Chambers USA 2014 // July 10, 2014
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, Martin G. Belisario, Alan S. Nadel, and Clark A. Jablon have been ranked as “Leaders in their Field” in the 2014 Chambers & Partners USA Directory for the field of Intellectual Property. Read more

7 Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers' and 'Rising Stars' for 2014 // May 23, 2014
Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, Martin G. Belisario, and Alan S. Nadel have been selected to the Pennsylvania "Super Lawyers" list as four of the top attorneys in Pennsylvania for 2013. Read more

4 Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Named Among 'Best Lawyers in America' for 2014 // August 15, 2013
Intellectual Property attorneys from Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP were included in the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers recognized each of these attorneys for their Intellectual Property practice. In addition, Ronald L. Panitch was named the 'Best Lawyers' 2014 Philadelphia Litigation - Patent "Lawyer of the Year." Read more

8 Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers' and 'Rising Stars' for 2013 // May 17, 2013
Pennsylvania "Super Lawyers" 2013 lists four attorneys from Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel LLP as top lawyers in the state along with five attorneys as Pennsylvania "Rising Stars." Read more

Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel Intellectual Property Lawyers Named 'Best Lawyers in America' // September 17, 2012
Four Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel LLP attorneys were chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013. A listing in this publication is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a singular honor. Read more

Panitch Schwarze Earns High Rankings in 2012 Chambers USA Guide // July 11, 2012
The boutique IP law firm of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP earned five lawyer rankings for intellectual property lawyers in Pennsylvania in this year’s Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The five lawyers recognized by Chambers include Founding Partners Ronald Panitch, William Schwarze, Martin Belisario, Alan Nadel and Clark Jablon. Read more

Ronald Panitch Recognized in the 2012 International Who's Who of Trademark Attorneys // April 30, 2012
For the second year in a row, Ronald L. Panitch has been recognized as being among the world’s leading Trademark lawyers in the 2012 edition of The International Who’s Who of Trademark Lawyers, part of the 2012 compendium volume of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers. Read more

6 IP Attorneys with Panitch Schwarze Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers' and 'Rising Stars' for 2012 // March 23, 2012
Panitch Schwarze Belisario and Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Panitch, William W. Schwarze, Martin G. Belisario and Alan S. Nadel have been selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list 4 of the top attorneys in Pennsylvania for 2012. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers. Read more

4 Panitch Schwarze Intellectual Property Attorneys Named 'Best Lawyers in America' for 2012 // November 18, 2011
Four attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012-2013. In addition, the firm was ranked in the Best Law Firms rankings, published in November’s U.S. News and World Report’s Money issue. Read more

Honors & Awards

• Lawyer of The Year, Best Lawyers, 2019
• 50 Years of Service, Philadelphia Bar Association, 2016
• Lifetime Achievement award, Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association, 2013
• Selected as a "Leader in the Field" of Intellectual Property for Pennsylvania by Chambers & Partners USA, 2003 - present
• Selected to Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Intellectual Property, 2003 - present
• Named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America®, 2011, 2013 - present for IP Litigation
• Named a  Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer," 2004 - present, by Thomson Reuters, publishers of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
• AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 1978 - present
• Best of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Magazine, 1994, 1999
• The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers Global, Client’s Guide, 2007 - 2010
   

Blog

April 26, 2016
Honoring Great American Inventor Lonnie G. Johnson
From the trademark protecting “Star Wars” merchandise to the patent protecting the repositionable adhesive on the Post-It® note, the legal protection of intellectual property drives innovation and fuels our economy. Read more

Get To Know

In his free time, Mr. Panitch enjoys cycling and beach walking on nice days.

Mr. Panitch has served as trustee and fundraising co-chair for the Federation of Jewish Agencies and he was also the former National Vice-Chair of the UJA-Federation which is a central force for communal planning and philanthropy in the Jewish community.