James B. Hatten

senior counsel

James B. Hatten, J.D.

James B. Hatten is an intellectual property litigator who brings a rare combination of technical depth, strategic clarity, and thoughtful advocacy to complex patent, copyright, and trade secret disputes. With a formal background in computer engineering, James approaches litigation with the mindset of an engineer: understanding how systems work, identifying points of failure, and building solutions grounded in logic and evidence.

James represents domestic and international clients in high-stakes intellectual property matters involving computer hardware and software, telecommunications, networking technologies, and other sophisticated technical systems. He has litigated cases in federal courts across the country, including California, New York, and Texas, and has substantial experience in the Eastern District of Texas, one of the nation’s most demanding venues for patent litigation. He obtained summary judgment of noninfringement for a payments network company in a patent infringement action related to gift card technology, with affirmance on appeal.

What distinguishes James’s practice is his ability to move seamlessly between technical analysis and legal strategy. He is deeply involved in all phases of litigation, from shaping case theories and leading discovery to briefing dispositive motions and working closely with experts. Clients rely on him for courtroom advocacy and practical guidance on how intellectual property and litigation relate to business strategy. He regularly advises on the use of intellectual property to protect technology investments, manage risk, and support long-term growth.

James is drawn to the problem-solving and truth-seeking aspects of litigation and takes seriously the role of lawyers in the court system. He is known for his diligence, pragmatism, and ethical approach, offering candid advice grounded in both technical understanding and legal judgment. His style is deliberate and conscientious, with a focus on helping clients make informed decisions at every stage of a dispute.

Before joining AddyHart, James practiced at Baker & Hostetler LLP, where he litigated a broad range of intellectual property and technology-related disputes and advised clients on patent prosecution, intellectual property due diligence, indemnification claims, and anti-piracy strategy. Across matters, he brings curiosity, precision, and a commitment to learning each client’s technology and objectives as thoroughly as possible.

Outside the Office 

Outside of his legal practice, James enjoys learning new skills and working on projects that allow him to understand how things work. He is naturally curious and often dives deep into subjects simply to master the details, whether teaching himself woodworking techniques for home projects or learning lighting and photography principles to thoughtfully document meaningful personal memories.

James enjoys working with his hands and values the process of learning something new from the ground up. He brings the same patience, attention to detail, and problem-solving mindset to his interests outside the office as he does to his legal work.

  • Obtained Summary Judgment of Noninfringement in the Eastern District of Texas for a payments network company in a patent infringement lawsuit involving gift card technology, with the decision later affirmed on appeal.
  • Led Defense in Federal Patent Litigation for a national credit bureau in a case involving an identity verification platform, securing favorable claim construction rulings and achieving a favorable settlement following summary judgment briefing.
  • Defended International Electronics Manufacturer in Federal Court against claims arising from a third-party component, successfully defeating tort liability and resolving the matter on favorable terms.
  • Managed End to End Discovery in Complex IP Litigation across patent, copyright, trade secret, and contractual disputes, including document collections, written discovery, depositions, expert coordination, and discovery motion practice.
  • Advised Clients on Intellectual Property Strategy and Portfolio Protection by counseling technology companies on the use of patents, copyrights, and trade secrets to protect innovation, manage litigation risk, and support long-term business goals.
  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2013
  • B.S., Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009
  • Georgia
  • United States District Courts (Northern District of Georgia, Eastern & Southern Districts of Texas)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • USPTO Registered Patent Attorney
  • Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, 2024
  • The Honorable Charles A. Pannell Jr. Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, Member