Robert D. Leighton

Robert Leighton is a Principal in the firm’s Intellectual Property and Litigation groups. He represents clients in a wide-range of intellectual property issues, with a focus on patent and trademark litigation. Mr. Leighton has substantial experience in all phases of litigation and arbitration, including trial. He also handles matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

In addition to litigating, Mr. Leighton assists clients in obtaining and maintaining their worldwide trademark and service mark portfolios. He also assists clients in negotiating and documenting business transactions involving intellectual property, including licenses and assignments.

He has handled cases involving, among others, wireless devices, telecommunications, encryption, fiber optics, medical devices, biotechnology and nutritional technology. 

In 2022, Mr. Leighton was recognized as an Emerging Lawyer in Intellectual Property and Copyright & Trademark Law by Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Mr. Leighton teaches at Loyola University Chicago School of Law as an adjunct professor of Intellectual Property Appellate Advocacy. In addition, he has presented:

• "Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Issues In a Remote Work Environment," a live webinar for the Association of Corporate Counsel, Feb. 11, 2021.
• "Defend Trade Secrets Act: How Does It Affect You," a Goldberg Kohn CLE program, June 2016.

Mr. Leighton joined Goldberg Kohn in May 2016. He is Vice-Chair of the firm's Technology Committee, and a Member of the Recruiting and Business Development committees. Previously he practiced law at Sidley Austin.

He earned his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2008, where he was an Editor of the Loyola Law Journal. He earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2005.