Curtis advises technology companies, universities, research institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, and boards of directors on intellectual property strategy, technology commercialization, venture financing, strategic transactions, and business growth. His clients range from startups and venture-backed companies to Fortune 500 corporations, research universities, federal laboratories, and innovation-driven organizations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
An inventor on more than 100 issued U.S. and international patents, Curtis is also a former entrepreneur, engineer, business executive, and director of multiple technology companies and industry organizations. Most of his patented technologies were ultimately licensed, sold, or commercialized with industry. Drawing on more than 30 years of intellectual property, technology, and business experience, he helps clients align intellectual property assets with broader business objectives.
Curtis's practice includes patent and trademark portfolio development, domestic and international patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analyses, infringement and validity assessments, opinion work, licensing, technology transfer, intellectual property transactions, and strategic counseling. He regularly advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, venture financing, commercialization initiatives, intellectual property enforcement, and monetization strategies.
He works extensively with advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, software platforms, optics, photonics, imaging systems, quantum technologies, aerospace and defense systems, sensors and IoT devices, semiconductor technologies, medical devices, diagnostics, communications technologies, cybersecurity, and advanced hardware systems. A significant portion of his practice involves advising universities, research foundations, technology transfer offices, boards of directors, executives, and investors on licensing and research agreements, university-industry collaborations, government rights, intellectual property strategy, risk, enforcement, brand protection, portfolio monetization, and technology-focused investments.
Curtis serves as managing partner of the firm's Boulder office. Under his leadership, the office has expanded its intellectual property, technology transaction, contract, and strategic advisory capabilities while deepening relationships with universities, research institutions, startup companies, and established technology enterprises. His team files nearly 1,000 original U.S. and international patent filings annually across utility, design, and Patent Cooperation Treaty matters.
Before practicing law, Curtis served as a design, systems, and project engineer with organizations including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin's infrared imaging operations, Honeywell's electro-optics division, Loral Infrared & Imaging Systems, and Hughes Aircraft's Electro-Optics and Data Systems Group. He also served four years in the United States Air Force Air Weather Service, where he was stationed primarily in the United Kingdom. He maintains a regular presence in both the United States and Northern Europe, supporting his international practice.
Curtis earned a B.S. and M.S. in Optics Engineering and a B.A. in History from the University of Rochester, a J.D., cum laude, from New England Law Boston, and an M.B.A. from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business.