John A. Chionchio leads Ballard Spahr's Mechanical and Medical Technologies Patent Team. He focuses his practice on intellectual property matters related to the mechanical and design arts.
With 15 years of experience in engineering and more than 20 years of experience as a patent attorney, he is well versed in the areas of dynamics of aircraft and spacecraft structures, guidance and control systems, scientific instruments, complex machine design, and optics. John drafts and prosecutes patents for couplings, seals, valves, fire suppression systems, firearms, scientific instruments such as mass spectrometers and chromatographs, and aerospace applications such as aerodynamic refinements for helicopters. His experience also encompasses software-related patents for control systems as well as industrial processes. John has experience with medical device patents in the areas of stents, stent grafts, medicament inhalers, dental drills, and orthopedic screws.
Professional Highlights
Recognition & Accomplishments
Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate for support of the PA Patent – Patent Pro Bono Program by providing fifty hours of services.
IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, patent prosecution, 2021, 2022
Speaking Engagements
"Baby, You Won't Drive My Car: Intellectual Property Opportunities and Regulatory Issues Surrounding Autonomous Vehicles," Ballard Spahr PATENTSCAPE® webinar, January 18, 2017
Board Memberships & Community Service
Pawtographs, a nonprofit charitable foundation for animal welfare and rescue
Union League of Philadelphia
Publications
"Patent Tips For Executives," Legal Intelligencer Intellectual Property Supplement, April 2008
Credentials
Education
Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D. 1997, cum laude)
Drexel University (M.S., civil engineering, 1992)
Arcadia University (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science, 1984)
Columbia University (B.S., civil engineering, 1979)
Member, engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi
Franklin & Marshall College (B.A., physics, 1978, cum laude)
Member, physics honor society Sigma Pi Sigma; Member, national honor society Phi Beta Kappa
Languages
Fluent in German
Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office