Chris Lightner advises companies on how to protect and position innovation in ways that align with real business objectives. Drawing on a background in mechanical engineering and early experience in aerospace systems integration, he brings a practical understanding of how technologies are designed, built, and commercialized. His work has earned recognition from IAM Patent 1000, which notes his “impeccable attention to detail” and “commercially astute, value-added guidance,” and from IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists, as well as The Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers.
His practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution in the United States and internationally, supported by strategic counseling on how portfolios should be developed and deployed. Chris advises on patentability, freedom-to-operate, and enforceability, and he evaluates patent risk through detailed analysis of product and process designs. His approach emphasizes clarity and efficiency, helping clients make informed decisions about where to invest and how to protect their technologies over time.
In parallel, he works on the transactional side of intellectual property, supporting due diligence efforts and advising on licensing arrangements, confidentiality structures, and patent brokerage matters. His experience spans a wide range of technologies, including advanced materials, logistics systems, medical devices, software, energy technologies, and industrial processes, allowing him to adapt his counsel to the technical and commercial realities of each client’s business.
Chris is also active in the intellectual property community as a speaker and contributor to professional and pro bono initiatives, reflecting an ongoing commitment to the development and accessibility of the field.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Patent counsel for an international pallet manufacturer and distributor.
- Patent counsel for a national container products manufacturer and distributor.
- Patent counsel to a national lighting manufacturer and distributor.
- Patent counsel to a leading advanced composites company that develops, manufactures, and markets lightweight, high-performance composites, including carbon fibers, reinforcements, prepregs, and the like.
- Counsel for further patent clients in diverse areas of technology, including materials handling, computer software, industrial power transmission, solar energy collection and utilization technologies, electric vehicle battery technologies, medical wound care technologies, quantum dot utilization technologies, advanced forest harvesting technologies, and gypsum wallboard, vehicular chrome plating, paper and pulp technologies.
Professional & Civic Engagement
- Atlanta Bar Foundation
- Board of Directors, Member (2023–Present)
- Secretary (2024-2025); President-Elect (2025-2026)
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Member (2008–Present
- President (2022–2023); Vice President (2021–2022); Secretary (2020–2021); Treasurer (2019–2020); Immediate Past President (2023–2024)
- Board of Directors, Member (2014-2024)
- Intellectual Property Section, Chair (2012–2013); Executive Committee (2014-Present)
- State Bar of Georgia
- Intellectual Property Section, Chair (2023-2024); Immediate Past Chair (2024–2026); Executive Committee (2019-2026); Member (2008-Present)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association
- Patent Committee and Patent Operations Committee (2013-Present)
- Georgia PATENTS Program
- Advisory Board and Founding Member (2015-Present)
- Atlanta Intellectual Property Inn of Court
- Technology Association of Georgia
Honors & Awards
Professional Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Patent Law (2024, 2026)
- Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Patent Law, Atlanta (2024)
- Intellectual Asset Management, IAM Strategy 300: The World's Leading IP Strategists (2023-Present)
- Intellectual Asset Management, IAM Patent 1000 (2018–2023)
Community and Pro Bono Recognition
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificate (2017–Present)
- Georgia PATENTS, Volunteer of the Year (2015–2018, 2023)
- Atlanta Bar Association, Pro Bono Award (2015, 2018)
- Georgia State University and Georgia Tech, IP Community Service Award (2017)
- Atlanta Bar Association, Celebrating Service Award (2015)
