H. J. Staas
Founder, 1938 - 2019
Harry John Staas (“Jack”), was a founding partner of the Washington, D.C. intellectual property law firm Staas & Halsey LLP, and passed late last year in November, 2019. Almost 50 years ago in 1971, Jack Staas and Jim Halsey teamed up to establish the Staas & Halsey LLP law firm.
For over thirty-eight years, Jack helped co-lead the firm to serve many international and U.S. clients with their varied patent needs. The firm maintains the same personal and quality commitment to our clients now and into the future as was Jack Staas’s founding partner legacy.
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Mr. Staas, after graduating from Lehigh University with engineering and arts degrees in engineering physics and applied sciences, received his law degree from Georgetown University. Early in his career, Mr. Staas worked in the Washington, D.C. Patent Operations of General Electric Corporation while receiving his law degree. He then entered private practice with several law firms in both New York City and Washington, D.C. before co-founding Staas and Halsey LLP.
For the many years, Jack was involved in various patent matters covering a broad range of technologies, including preparation and prosecution of patent applications, as well as representing clients in interference and appellate proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in patent litigation before the U.S. federal courts.
Jack was a member of numerous patent bar and professional organizations, and held court admissions in New York and D.C., and at Federal and Supreme Court levels. Outside his professional legal career, Mr. Staas enjoyed boating and golfing, and liked music and was an accomplished musician himself.
Mr. Staas is survived by his dedicated wife Patricia Staas of McLean, Virginia, along with several children and numerous grandchildren.