Richard Linn

Richard Linn is a senior United States circuit judge on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1999, he served as an active judge until assuming senior status in 2012 and continues to hear cases. His career combines extensive experience in patent law, both in government service and private practice, as well as a long‑standing commitment to legal education and the American Inns of Court movement.

Early life and legal career

Richard Linn was born on April 13, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent his formative years attending Poly Prep Country Day School, a preparatory institution that provided a foundation for his later technical studies. In 1965 he earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an achievement that positioned him at the intersection of engineering and law—a nexus that would define much of his professional life.

Immediately after graduating, Linn entered federal service as a patent examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where he worked from 1965 to 1968. This early exposure to the mechanics of patent examination gave him practical insight into the substantive and procedural aspects of intellectual‑property protection. Seeking to complement his technical background with legal training, he enrolled in Georgetown University Law Center and received a Juris Doctor in 1969.

Following law school, Linn returned briefly to government work as a patent adviser for the Office of Naval Research within the Naval Air Systems Command from 1971 to 1972. In that role he provided counsel on patent matters affecting naval research projects, further deepening his expertise at the confluence of technology and legal policy.

Linn later transitioned to private practice, where he specialized in patent and intellectual‑property law. He practiced with Marks & Murase before joining Foley & Lardner, both firms known for handling complex IP litigation and counseling. Throughout his years in private practice, Linn represented clients in a variety of industries, applying his engineering background to navigate the technical nuances of patent disputes.

In addition to his practice, Linn contributed to professional organizations devoted to intellectual‑property law. He was a founding member of the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Section on Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, helping shape policy and educational initiatives for attorneys in that specialty. His contributions were recognized by his alma mater when he received the Rensselaer Alumni Association Fellows Award in 2000.

Federal appellate service

President William J. Clinton nominated Richard Linn to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on September 28, 1999, filling the vacancy left by Judge Giles Rich. The Senate confirmed his appointment on November 19, 1999, and he received his commission three days later, on November 22. Linn was sworn into office at the beginning of the new year, taking his oath on January 1, 2000.

During his tenure as an active circuit judge, Linn participated in a broad docket that included many high‑profile patent cases, reflecting the Federal Circuit’s exclusive jurisdiction over appeals involving patents and other specialized areas of federal law. Among the matters before him were disputes concerning telecommunications technology, software licensing, and the calculation of patent damages—issues that have significant implications for innovators and businesses alike.

Linn served on the bench as an active judge until October 31, 2012, when he assumed senior status. Under senior status, a judge retains the authority to hear cases while typically handling a reduced caseload. Judge Linn has continued to sit on panels of the Federal Circuit, contributing his extensive experience in patent law to the court’s ongoing jurisprudence.

Beyond his judicial responsibilities, Linn engaged in academic instruction. From 2001 through 2003 he held an adjunct professorship at George Washington University Law School, where he taught courses related to intellectual‑property law and shared practical insights drawn from his combined experience as a practitioner, examiner, and judge.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Judge Linn’s judicial record reflects a consistent focus on the technical and equitable dimensions of patent law. Notable opinions authored by him include decisions in *NTP, Inc. v. Research In Motion*, a case involving BlackBerry technology patents; *800 Adept v. Targus*, which addressed the scope of protection for toll‑free telephone number inventions; and *Uniloc USA, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp.*, decided in 2011, where the court rejected the “25 percent rule” for calculating patent damages. These cases illustrate his engagement with complex issues such as claim construction, infringement standards, and the appropriate measurement of monetary relief.

Judge Linn’s influence extends beyond written opinions to mentorship and professional development within the legal community. Shortly after joining the Federal Circuit in 2000, he began attending meetings of the Giles Sutherland Rich American Inn of Court, an organization dedicated to fostering professionalism, ethics, and skill among lawyers and judges. He later served a term as President of that Inn, guiding its activities and promoting dialogue on intellectual‑property matters.

In recognition of his mentorship, a new American Inn of Court was established in Chicago and named the Richard Linn American Inn of Court. Initiated by Olivia Luk—an attorney who had previously been mentored by Judge Linn at the Giles Rich Inn—the Linn Inn was chartered in 2007 to provide a forum for intellectual‑property practitioners in the Midwest. That same year, the Linn Inn Alliance was formed, linking the Richard Linn Inn with four pre‑existing IP‑focused Inns of Court: the Giles Rich Inn, the John Lifland Inn (New Jersey), the Benjamin Franklin Inn (Philadelphia), and the San Francisco Bay Area IP Inn of Court. The alliance’s purpose is to share educational programs, promote best practices, and facilitate cross‑jurisdictional collaboration among members.

Under Judge Linn’s guidance, the Alliance expanded rapidly. Within five years it welcomed its first international member—the Tokyo IP Inn of Court—making it the 21st constituent and the first located outside the United States. This growth reflects a broader commitment to cultivating a global community of IP lawyers who can exchange ideas and uphold high standards of practice across borders.

Judge Linn’s contributions to legal education, professional organization, and jurisprudence have left an enduring imprint on the field of intellectual‑property law. His career demonstrates how technical expertise, combined with judicial service, can shape the development of patent doctrine while also nurturing the next generation of attorneys through mentorship and institutional leadership. As a senior judge who continues to hear cases, he remains an active participant in the evolving landscape of federal appellate jurisprudence, ensuring that his experience benefits both litigants and the broader legal system.