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R. David Donoghue

R. David Donoghue is a litigator focusing on intellectual property disputes. He will teach a course entitled “Federal District Court Practice” at Solo Practice University®.

R. David Donoghue is a partner in Holland + Knight’s Intellectual Property Group and the founder of the Chicago IP Litigation Blog which tracks intellectual property cases in the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Donoghue is a litigator focusing on intellectual property disputes, in particular patent litigation. His practice focuses largely on federal district court patent litigation. He has litigated patent and technology-based disputes in district courts across the country including, among others, California, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Mr. Donoghue also learned a great deal about the interworkings of district courts as a law clerk to the Honorable Gordon J. Quist, Federal District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

In addition to his district court litigation practice, Mr. Donoghue was previously with Delphi, the world’s largest automotive supplier, where he was a founding member of Delphi’s Technology Licensing and Litigation group and handled substantial international intellectual property litigation and licensing matters. Mr. Donoghue also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, teaching legal research and writing and intellectual property courses.

To learn more about Mr. Donoghue, read his extended biography at Holland + Knight or visit the Chicago IP Litigation Blog.

Syllabus – Federal District Court Practice

  • Before you enter the courtroom: Opening; Overview of the course; Choosing a court; Local Rules part I.
  • Know your court: Leveraging technology; Local Rules part II; Standing Orders; ECF; Working with chambers & the Clerk.
  • Filing a complaint: Initial considerations; Using service rules; Make sure defendants get courtesy copies.
  • Receiving a complaint: Response considerations; Why civil procedure mattered in law school; Extensions to answer; Jurisdiction; Motions to transfer; Early settlement talks.
  • Answering: Responses; Denials; Local Rules part III.
  • Initial status strategy: Rule 26 considerations; Effective use of Rule 26(f) meetings and reports; Leveraging initial disclosures and electronic discovery.
  • Working with Magistrate Judges
  • Discovery: Tools for gaining advantage & winning client loyalty; Which discovery motions to file.
  • Depositions: When to call the judge & more; Talking to your witness; Local Rules part IV.
  • Winning on the papers: Summary judgment; Local Rules Part V.
  • Settling: When to seek the Court’s help; What not to ask the Court.
  • Trial: Preparation & tips; Jury instructions; Trial notebooks.