Michael K. Henry, Ph.D.

Principal

Michael K. Henry, Ph.D., is a principal and the firm’s founding member. Michael’s practice focuses on creating comprehensive, growth-oriented IP strategies for companies developing complex and emerging technologies.

Michael helps high-tech companies build global patent portfolios to protect valuable innovations during critical stages of growth and development. He combines legal skills with technical proficiency, allowing him to understand complex technological inventions, draft enforceable and defensible patents, and contextualize intellectual portfolio assets within a company’s overarching business strategy.

With a strong background in physics, engineering, and mathematics, Michael frequently works with clients developing quantum technologies, computer software and hardware, medical devices, electromechanical systems, and a variety of energy production technologies. He has established a reputation for guiding high-tech companies through the development of comprehensive patent portfolios, often from the ground up.

Clients regard Michael as a valuable and trusted intellectual property advisor who helps them strategize and build domestic and international patent portfolios for advanced or emerging technologies in active development, aiming to protect their assets and attract investment.

Before founding Henry Patent Law Firm PLLC, Michael worked at a top-ranked international patent law firm, where he managed global patent portfolios for Fortune 100 companies, preeminent research institutes and several emerging tech companies.

Prior to attending law school, Michael earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT, where his doctoral research focused on developing enhanced control techniques for quantum computers.

Representative Matters

Patent Portfolio Development for a Quantum Computing Company
Worked with a quantum computing company from its earliest days to build a patent portfolio that was the basis for over $100 million in successful investment from multiple high profile venture capital firms. The team’s extensive background in quantum computing helped the company obtain more than 100 patents in the U.S. and in foreign markets, and the portfolio ultimately proved to be a primary asset that facilitated the company’s ability to raise additional capital through an IPO. Notably, several of these patents survived challenges filed by competitors in the U.S. and Europe.

Wireless Motion Sensing Patent Portfolio Development
Assisted a company developing Wi-Fi motion sensing technologies with building an expansive international patent portfolio from the ground up. Since the company was founded, HPLF has secured over 250 patents with geographic reach spanning ten different countries. The team has also guided the company in overcoming challenges related to software patent eligibility.

Quantum Sensor Patent Portfolio Development
Worked closely with a company developing quantum sensor technologies as they built an expansive international patent portfolio from the ground up. Leveraging their research backgrounds in advanced materials and quantum technologies, the team has translated the company’s highly complex technologies into a growing, worldwide intellectual property portfolio that includes over 55 issued patents in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Renewable Energy Systems Patent Portfolio Development
Worked with a venture-backed tech startup to execute a sophisticated intellectual property strategy, develop an international patent portfolio, and improve its intellectual property protection. The team has since navigated various intellectual property transactions and developed a valuable patent portfolio for the company spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Direct Air Carbon Capture Technology Patent Portfolio Development
Worked with a venture-backed technology company to grow and develop their international patent portfolio for tech related to direct air carbon capture. They sought HPLF’s technical experience related to carbon capture technologies and expertise in developing valuable patent portfolios for high tech startups. Our team helped the company file foundational patent applications, leading to multiple new U.S. patents being issued within one year.

Observability Software Patent Portfolio Development
Worked with an emerging software company to launch a patent program and develop an international patent portfolio. After successfully securing investment from venture capital firms, the company had an initiative to fortify its intellectual property protection. The team at HPLF drafted the company’s first patent applications and developed an international IP portfolio, which now includes several new patents.

Enterprise Software Patent Portfolio Development
Assisted a growing enterprise software company in launching a new patent program and creating the foundations of an international patent portfolio. Expanding their vision to create pioneering products that use AI to detect anomalous data, the company had an initiative to fortify its intellectual property protection. Leveraging the HPLF team’s experience in working with major software companies and counseling high tech startups, the company has successfully launched its patent program and filed multiple new patent applications for valuable enterprise software inventions.