Manita Rawat

合夥人

Manita Rawat, a registered patent attorney with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), maintains a thriving intellectual property (IP) practice that includes serving as lead outside patent counsel to Fortune 100 companies in Silicon Valley. She primarily supports large technology companies with managing their domestic and foreign patent portfolios, which includes determining patentability and drafting and prosecuting patent applications to allowance. Manita also has experience with USPTO post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review and reexamination. She is the managing partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office.

Manita has a strong technical background in applied mathematics, with concentrations in computer science, aerospace engineering, and statistical analysis, as well as a strong foundation in biochemistry. She represents leading technology companies developing cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language models (LLMs), machine learning, cloud computing, data center infrastructure, distributed computing, enterprise software, cybersecurity, networking, mobile applications, and digital platforms.

Drawing on her interdisciplinary technical background, Manita advises clients on sophisticated patent strategies for complex software and AI technologies, including innovations involving AI infrastructure, data center architectures, accelerated computing, and scalable computing environments. She has experience navigating the unique patentability issues presented by computer-implemented inventions, including subject matter eligibility under 35 USC § 101, and develops practical prosecution strategies that maximize patent protection while achieving efficient, cost-effective outcomes before the USPTO.

Manita also advises clients on the IP aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, and financing transactions. Her experience includes conducting IP due diligence, evaluating patent and trademark portfolios, reviewing licensing agreements, assessing litigation risks, and performing freedom-to-operate analyses. She also counsels clients on patent licensing and other commercial transactions, including structuring, negotiating, and drafting complex IP agreements.

In addition, Manita provides technical and strategic support in patent litigation involving software, AI, and other advanced technologies. She assists clients in developing infringement, noninfringement, invalidity, and claim construction positions, drafts claim construction and dispositive briefs, prepares technical experts, and has argued motions relating to patent invalidity.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Manita served as managing partner of the Silicon Valley office of another global law firm.

Show More
  • Serves as outside patent counsel and manages a patent portfolio for a US multinational retail corporation by preparing and prosecuting patent applications for the company in various technology areas, including software and fulfillment process technology, and artificial intelligence and machine learning technology; counsels the client on various IP issues regarding the portfolio
  • Serves as outside IP counsel for a large US multinational technology company specializing in consumer electronics, software, and online services; counsels the client on various IP issues, including conducting IP due diligence on various deals, conducting freedom to operate opinions, patent infringement and invalidity assessments, and assessing pre-litigation strategies for the company with respect to competitors and nonpracticing entities
  • Manages a patent portfolio for a large defense contractor by preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the areas of aerospace technology, signal processing, software technology, and microwave technology; counsels the client on various IP issues, such as identifying issues that may arise in joint research ventures and licensing of patented technology
  • Managed a patent portfolio for a large publicly traded software company by preparing and prosecuting patent applications; counsels the client on various IP issues, including conducting patent infringement and invalidity assessments
  • Serves as outside IP counsel for a large publicly traded company specializing in radiation oncology treatments and software, including artificial intelligence and machine learning technology; counsels on various IP issues, including conducting IP due diligence on various deals, managing a patent portfolio, conducting freedom to operate opinions, patent infringement and invalidity assessments, and assessing pre-litigation strategies for the company with respect to competitors
  • Served as lead outside IP counsel for a startup by preparing and prosecuting patent applications for the client before the USPTO and in foreign jurisdictions in the areas of turbomachine technology and various types of power system technology; works with the client in presenting the technology and patent goals to investors and counsels the client on various IP issues, such as preparing and reviewing nondisclosure agreements and licensing agreements, conducting freedom to operate opinions, and conducting patent infringement and invalidity assessments
  • Counseled a large resort client on various patent issues, such as determining which technology areas the company may want to invest and proceed with in terms of patent protection and was the primary day-to-day counsel in a patent infringement lawsuit for the client
  • Represented multiple defendants in a patent infringement lawsuit involving trampoline systems and managed the case
  • University of Illinois College of Law, 2005, J.D.
  • University of Oxford, St. Peter's College, 2004, Intellectual Property Law Scholars Program
  • University of Nevada, Reno, 2001, B.S., Applied Mathematics and Biochemistry, with a concentration in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, and Statistical Analysis
  • California
  • Nevada
  • US Patent and Trademark Office
  • US District Court for the District of Nevada
  • US District Court for the Northern District of California

Ranked, Intellectual Property: Patent Prosecution, California, Chambers USA (2025, 2026)

Intellectual Property Woman Leader in Tech Law Award, The Recorder (2024)

Recognized, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals (2024–2026)

Top Intellectual Property Lawyers in California, Daily Journal (2024)

Recommended, Intellectual Property: Patents: Prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings), The Legal 500 US (2023–2026)

Recommended, Intellectual Property: Patents: Litigation (International Trade Commission), The Legal 500 US (2023)

Recommended, Intellectual Property: Trade Secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters), The Legal 500 US (2023)

Listed, World Intellectual Property Review, IP Leader (2022, 2026)

Women of Achievement Award, Legal Momentum (2022)

Women of Influence Award, Silicon Valley Business Journal (2020)

"Best Under 40" Award, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (2016)

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Mountain State (2013–2015)

Best of the Best Attorney, Patent and Intellectual Property Law, Vegas Food & Music (2013)

Recognized, The Best of the Bar, Las Vegas Business Journal (2011)

Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2015–2016)

Member, California Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2026)

Member, Patent Law Series Advisory Board, UC Berkeley Center for Law & Technology (2026)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2024)

Member, American Bar Association

Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Member, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley

Member, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area

Member, National South Asian Bar Association

Member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California

Member, Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada (2013–2015)

Volunteer, Children’s Attorneys Project, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2010–2016)