Jim Cannon received his B.S. in Biology, summa cum laude, from Texas Christian University, his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, cum laude, from Washington University (St. Louis), and his J.D., with honors, from Duke University. While at Duke, Jim was the Technical Editor of the journal Law and Contemporary Problems. Jim has been practicing patent law since 1991. Jim is a member of the North Carolina Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Jim is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and is involved in the North Carolina Bar Association, having served as Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section and as the IP Section CLE Chair. Jim authored “Novelty and the Public Domain” in The Law and Strategy of Biotechnology Patents, 1994 (Butterworth Heineman). Prior to receiving his law degree, Jim was a plastic parts designer and analyst for more than four years. He is experienced in patent prosecution in mechanical engineering, chemistry, and biotechnology areas, with particular expertise in papermaking machines and component technology, manufacturing technology, motion furniture, battery construction and manufacture and plastic part manufacture, and communications and power connector technology. Jim served as the firm’s Managing Partner from 2010 – 2012 and 2017 – 2023. Jim was named the Best Lawyers® 2018 and 2025 Patent Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Raleigh. Jim has been included in Chamber and Partners (2017), The Best Lawyers in America® (2008-2025), The Chambers USA Guide (2020-2022), Super Lawyers (2006-2007), IP Stars (2021), and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite (2004-2013).
