Gracie Mills Bio

Gracie Mills is experienced in district court patent litigation, post-grant proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC). She works with clients across electrical and electronic technologies and has significant experience working with semiconductors, consumer electronics, and telecommunications. Gracie has been recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. as a Rising Star in the field of patent prosecution. Gracie represents both petitioners and patent owners across post-grant proceedings. Having litigated numerous reviews from filing to resolution, she has experience developing validity strategy, crafting effective briefing, deposing expert witnesses, and participating in oral hearings, including as arguing counsel. Gracie is also experienced in all stages of district court litigation, including identifying validity and infringement strategies, taking and defending depositions, drafting dispositive briefing, and developing claim construction positions. Several cases have involved co-pending district court litigation and post-grant proceedings, and Gracie regularly aids clients in navigating the interplay between these forums. Gracie has participated in several appeals to the Federal Circuit on decisions from both the PTAB and, as part of her pro bono practice, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Her pro bono practice additionally involves representing veterans before the CAVC and individuals in civil suits before the District of Columbia Superior Court. Early in her legal career, Gracie maintained a widespread prosecution portfolio, working with clients across the telecommunications, consumer electronics, and medical device industries. She led invention harvests, developed portfolio strategies, drafted applications and office action responses, and conducted examiner interviews. Gracie is a co-inventor of a U.S. patent on a “Bi-metallic Integrated On-Chip Thermocouple Array.” She serves as an editor for Finnegan’s Federal Circuit IP blog.