David A. Makman
Top rated Intellectual Property Litigation attorney in Redwood City, California
Law Offices of David A. Makman
Practice areas: Intellectual Property Litigation, Business Litigation, Business & Corporate; view more
Licensed in California since: 1995
Education: Duke University School of Law
Languages spoken: English, Japanese
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Call today:
650-702-8611
Law Offices of David A. Makman
483 Seaport CourtSuite 103
Redwood City, CA 94063 Visit website
At the Law Offices of David A. Makman in Redwood City, California, David A. Makman deftly navigates the intricate world of patent and intellectual property litigation. With a wealth of experience, he has tackled high-stakes patent infringement cases across a variety of technological realms, including electronics, semiconductor manufacturing and software. In approximately 2007, his practice broadened to encompass commercial litigation and disputes, specifically related to corporate governance, with a predominant focus on startups and member-managed limited liability companies.
Mr. Makman's journey into the legal field began after he completed his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College in Ohio in 1987. His pursuit of legal knowledge led him to Duke University School of Law in North Carolina, where he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1995. He further enriched his legal education with a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from the same institution. Always eager to stay at the forefront of innovation, he also holds a fintech certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focusing on blockchain technology.
Since earning his J.D., Mr. Makman has been licensed to practice law in California and is admitted to an impressive array of courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central and Eastern Districts of California, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Fluent in Japanese, he has a rich background in international arbitration and has adeptly handled complex legal challenges involving conflicts of law.
Beyond his legal endeavors, Mr. Makman has served as chairman of the board of the Japan Society of Northern California and currently contributes to the Momental Foundation as a board member. Before embarking on his legal career, he gained invaluable experience working for an investment advisory firm in Tokyo, where he skillfully marketed U.S. software products to Japanese companies.
Practice areas
Intellectual Property Litigation, Business Litigation, Business/Corporate, Technology TransactionsFocus areas
Business Organizations, Science and Technology Law
- 40% Intellectual Property Litigation
- 20% Business Litigation
- 20% Business/Corporate
- 20% Technology Transactions
First Admitted: 1995, California
Professional Webpage: https://makmanlaw.com/david-a-makman/
Bar / Professional Activity
- California, 1995
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Pro bono / Community Service
- SF JETS, Former Member (Formerly an Officer), A bilingual English/Japanese Toastmaster’s Club, San Francisco, Former Officer
- Former Chairman of the Board of the Japan Society of Northern California
- Board, Momental Foundation
Educational Background
- Duke University School of Law J.D./LLM (Masters in International and Comparative Law)
- A.B. East Asian Studies, Minor in Computer Science, Oberlin College, Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Honors: Awarded Newton Prize for Asian Studies, Major: East Asian Studies, Minor: Computer Science - 1987
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Guest Lecturer, Presented a lecture on Open Source Licensing issues, Chuo University Law School, Tokyo, Japan
- Featured Speaker, Presented lectures in Japanese regarding U.S. Patent litigation and regarding the KSR decision, International Patent Law Seminar, Osaka, Japan
- Panelist, Presented a lecture on corporate governance reforms in Japan, JETRO, Invest in Japan, Chicago, IL
- Guest Lecturer, Presented a lecture on recent developments in U.S. patent law, Chuo University Law School, Tokyo, Japan
- Featured Speaker, Presented lectures on Quanta v. LGE to Japanese law firms & legal departments of Japanese corporations, Tokyo, Japan
- Featured Speaker, Presented a lecture about recent developments in U.S. patent law, Kansai Registered Attorneys Abroad, Tokyo, Japan
- Featured Speaker, Presented a lecture on Quanta v. LGE. More than 30 attendees, including three Japanese judges, IP Study Group, Osaka Bengoshikai Attorney’s Assoc., Tokyo, Japan
- Visiting Professor, Taught Introduction to United States Civil Procedure, lectures in English, discussion in Japanese, Doshisha University Law School, Kyoto, Japan
- Guest Lecturer, Presented lecture to IP licensing class on developments in patent litigation in the United States, Keio University Law School, Tokyo, Japan
- Featured Speaker, “Proposed Changes in the U.S. Patent Act”, Doshisha University Law School, Kyoto, Japan
- Guest Lecturer, “Federal Civil Procedure”, Doshisha University Law School, Kyoto, Japan
- “Staking Your Claims On The Electronic Frontier”, Los Angeles Lawyer, 1997
- “Shareholder Activism In Japan”, Securities Law 360, March 3, 2008
- Interviewed by Bloomberg in Amari Defends Review of TCI Bid for Stake in J-Power, Bloomberg, March 04, 2008
- Interviewed by Bloomberg in Japan Panel to Recommend Rejection of Fund TCI’s Bid, April 15, 2008
- “The Proper Role of Takeover Defense Measures in Light of Changes in Various Environments (translation)”, METI Corporate Study Group, June 30, 2008
- “Japan Begins to Accept Shareholder Rights”, The Recorder, July 23, 2008
- “Changes in Corporate Governance are Having an Effect in Japan”, Special to The National Law Journal, September 1, 2008
- A View from the Trenches: The Limited Impact of Grain Processing on Patent Litigation, Mealey’s Litigation Report, 2009
- Japan Should Adopt An Anti-SLAPP Statute, Law360, October 18, 2012
- Recent Trends in Japanese IP and Antitrust Law, Patent Resources Group, 2009, updated 2010
- Quoted in “Sony, LGE Focus Global Patent War on US”, Managing IP, March 31, 2011
- Japan And Korea’s Patent Collision Course, Law360, April 20, 2011
- Apple Lengthens Laundry List of Patent Complaints Against Samsung, macnewsworld, June 20, 2011
- IP Lawyers Weigh In On Microsoft V. I4i Ruling, Law360, June 9, 2011
- Another International Patent Cross-Licensing War, Law360, June 27, 2011
- German Court Steps Back in Apple-Samsung Patent Feud, macnewsworld, August 16, 2011
- Conference Report: US and Japanese push for Harmonization, Managing IP, November 7, 2011
- Adapting Your IP Strategies to Today’s Litigation Environment, chapter in Inside the Minds: Litigation Strategies for Intellectual Property Cases, (2011 Edition) Aspatore Press.
- Global Harmonization Of Patent Laws: A Turning Point, Law 360, December 23, 2012
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Design-Around Passes Muster With German Court, E-Commerce Times, February 2, 2012
- Google, Motorola Union Gets US, EC Blessings, E-Commerce Times, February 14, 2012
- Eye On Japan’s Financial Reform Efforts, Law 360, February 22, 2012
- IP Lawyers Weigh In On Inequitable Conduct Ruling, Law360, May 25, 2012
- The Nippon Steel Dispute and Japanese IP Strategy, CDMC, September , 2012
Office location for David A. Makman
483 Seaport Court
Suite 103
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-702-8611
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
