Richard E. Zelenka
Top rated Intellectual Property attorney in Denver, Colorado
Critical Path IP Law, LLP
Practice areas: Intellectual Property, Technology Transactions; view more
Licensed in Colorado since: 2010
Education: University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2020 Details
With nearly 15 years of experience, Richard E. Zelenka has served his clients with enthusiastic zeal in helping protect the ownership of their products. The managing member and partner at Critical Path IP Law, LLP, in Denver, Colorado, he is well-equipped to handle many intellectual property (IP) laws for his clients, including patent preparation and prosecution, trademark and trade secrets, IP licensing, technology transactions and many more.
Mr. Zelenka completed his undergraduate studies with highest honors in 1987, graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree in aero/astro engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After earning his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989, he worked with many reputable institutions in roles such as an engineer and researcher for NASA, principal engineer of Northrop-Grumman Information Technology and many more.
During his time working as an engineer, Mr. Zelenka was honored by NASA, being the recipient of five NASA service awards as well as two NASA Turning Goals into Reality awards. In addition, he has also been inducted into the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as an associate fellow.
With a fervent passion to pursue law, Mr. Zelenka attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and received his Juris Doctor in 2010. After obtaining his license to practice law in Colorado the same year, he gained admission to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Within his legal community, he has maintained close affiliations with the Colorado Bar Association and the Denver Bar Association. Furthermore, he is a private pilot licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Practice areas
Intellectual Property, Technology TransactionsFocus areas
Intellectual Property Law, Patents, Science and Technology Law, Trademarks
- 90% Intellectual Property
- 10% Technology Transactions
First Admitted: 2010, Colorado
Professional Webpage: https://criticalpathiplaw.com/about-us
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member, Colorado Bar Association
- Member, Denver Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Mumser, Inc. v. Western Sling Co. (D. Colo.) - Co-counsel for defendant in action for patent infringement. Action successfully resolved under confidential terms, 2015
- Well Master Corp. v. LuckyShot LLC et al - Co-counsel for plaintiff in action for patent infringement. Action successfully resolved under confidential terms, 2019
Representative Clients
- Existing clients span a multi-national aerospace company, a multi-national software services company, mid-sized companies including those in aerospace, energy, and commercial software, sole inventors/entrepreneurs, and several start-ups.
Transactions
- Negotiated partnership between two business units of The Boeing Company and the Dutch Air Traffic Control.
- With co-counsel, secured trademark co-existence agreement to allow use of same mark by client and third party , 2020
- Negotiated several IP licensing agreements, to include for software products or systems, for various clients., 2019
- Negotiated and closed Memorandum of Agreement between NASA, FAA and Delta Airlines allowing prototype testing of new air traffic management software systems.
- Negotiated and closed Memorandum of Agreement between NASA, FAA and American Airlines allowing prototype testing of new air traffic management software systems.
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Registered Professional Engineer, Colorado
- Registered Patent Attorney, USPTO
- Private Pilot, Airplane Single Engine Land, FAA
- Registered Professional Engineer, California
Pro bono / Community Service
- Pro bono services, veteran-owned small business, 2017-2018
- Secretary, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Colorado, 2021-2022
- Pro bono services, woman-owned small business, 2019-2020, 2021-present, 2023
- Graduate, Denver Metro Chamber Foundation’s Access Denver
- Reviewer, Aerospace Subcommittee, Advanced Industries Grants, Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, 2018-present
- Maui Economic Development Board, 2005
- Firm Chair, 2013 Associates Campaign, Colorado Legal Aid Society, 2013
- Member, Denver Museum of Nature & Science President’s Leadership Council, 2017-2023
- Board Member, Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board at the University of Illinois, University of Illinois, 2007-2021
- Volunteer, ProBoPat Program of Mi Casa Resource Center, 2015
Educational Background
- BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Highest Honors, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, IL
- MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA
White Papers
- Practical tips regarding IP protection, Deorbiting Your Own Intellectual Property Fight, 2017
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Abstract: Data obtained or derived from space assets has enabled many current products and services, from GPS-driven apps dependent on precise geolocation to supply-chain inventory management systems driven by space-borne imagery. Businesses must access and analyze an exponentially-higher data volume from today, with data frequently obtained from low-Earth orbit small satellite constellations. Managing the resulting "big data" challenges, from throughput, storage, data-analysis, and data mining, is essential to business success but only a piece of the puzzle The legal considerations for data rights and patent rights are also considerable. Incorrect or mismanaged handling of big data can restrain, undermine, and sometimes stop a business. Data right challenges include distinguishing ownership/title from licensing provisions, understanding implications of varied government licensing rights, and resolving disputes over data rights. Patent challenges include bars to patentability, patenting software-related inventions commercially and within a government contract, and patenting of algorithms rooted in machine-learning or artificial intelligence. Through weaving of real-life examples, this presentation will outline the legal challenges of big data in spaceborne businesses and provide practical tips to solve if not gain advantage from those challenges, Co-presenter, Navigating the Legal Challenges and Opportunities of Space Data Businesses, Aerospace, Defense, 2019
- Zelenka, R.E., Gaining Perspective on Modern Patent Law Debates through Reflection on Colonial Beginnings, Intellectual Property Today, April 2010
- A panel discussion on space law policy, standards, future directions, Panelist, Univ. of Denver Space Law & Space Policy Panel, Univ. of Denver, Sturm College of Law, 2019
- Invited Speaker, The Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (RULLCA), National Business Institute, Webcase CLE, May 11, 2016., Speaker, Revised Uniform LLC Act, Legal Seminar (CLE), 2016
- Zelenka, R.E., Quinn, C., Beatty, R., and Heere, K. “The Impact of CTAS Information on Airline Operational Control”, Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Air Traffic Control Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2000.
- Zelenka, R.E., Smith, P.N., Coppenbarger, R.A., Njaka, C.N., and Sridhar, B. “Results from the NASA Automated Nap-of-the-Earth Program,” Journal of the American Helicopter Society, Vol. 42, No. 2, April, 1997, pp. 107-115.
- Zelenka, R.E., Almsted, L.A. “Design and Flight Test of 35-GigaHertz Radar for Terrain and Obstacle Avoidance,” AIAA Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 34, No. 2, March-April, 1997, pp. 261-263.
- Zelenka, R.E., Clark, R., Zirkler, A., Saari, R., and Branigan, R. "Development and Flight Test of Terrain-Referenced Guidance with Ladar Forward Sensor," AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 19, No. 4, July-August 1996, pp. 823-828. (also reprinted in Cockpit, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Oct - Dec, 1996, pp. 7-12.)
- Zelenka, R.E., Yee, Z., and Zirkler, A., "Flight Test of Radar Altimeter Enhancement for Terrain-Referenced Guidance," AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 18, No. 4, July-August, 1995, pp. 702-708.
- Zelenka, R.E., "Design and Analysis of a Kalman Filter for Terrain-referenced Positioning and Guidance," AIAA Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 31, No. 2, March-April, 1994, pp. 339 - 344.
- Zelenka, R.E., and Mote, C.D., "Measurement of the Lift Force Developed in an Oscillating and Translating Hydrodynamic Sector Bearing," Wear, 142(1991), p. 227-238.
- Panelist, Inequitable Conduct Post-Therasense, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2011
- Meeting of the Alumni Advisory Board, Univ. of Illinois Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, Presenter, The New Patent Statute and Implications for Universities, 2013
- "Intellectual Property Licensing Guidelines," Law Week Colorado, Dec. 1, 2014., Author, Intellectual Property Licensing Guidelines, Law Week Colorado, 2014
- Discussion of IP protection as to employees, co-author, Deorbiting Your Own Intellectual Property Fight, 2017
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Patent Holder, U.S. Patent No. 11,132,906 entitled "Drone Detection and Warning for Piloted Aircraft", 2021
- Patent Holder, U.S. Patent No. 10,424,207 entitled "Airborne Drone Traffic Broadcasting and Alerting System," issued Sept. 24, 2019.
- Patent Holder, U.S. Patent No. 10,650,683 entitled "Hazardous Drone Identification and Avoidance System," issued May 12, 2020.
- Patent Holder, U.S. Patent No. 10,083,614 entitled "Drone Alerting and Reporting System," issued Sept. 25, 2018
- Managed diverse workforce of 240 employees and budget of $40M while transitioning job site to different mission objectives. Grew revenue over 15%.
Honors
- Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
- Two NASA Turning Goals into Reality awards, five NASA service awards
- Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Executive Articles Editor, Transportation Law Journal, DU Sturm College of Law
- DU Law Scholastic Excellence Awards in Patent Litigation, American Legal History
- Colorado Super Lawyers recognition, 2013-2024
- Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2013-2020, Super Lawyers
- Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law Scholastic Excellence Awards: Patent Litigation, American Legal History
Industry Groups
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Energy
- Joint Ventures And Partnerships
- Licensing
- Medical/health
- Software
- Technology Development
Selections
6 Years Super Lawyers
8 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2020
