David, who once was described at a national legal symposium as the “Swiss Army Knife of IP Attorneys,” is a highly respected figure in the legal field renowned for his extensive and diverse expertise. He holds the distinction of being a registered patent attorney in the U.S. and Canada, a first-chair federal litigator, and the external general counsel for a group of privately held companies. With a client-focused approach built on a wealth of experience, David is an exceptional resource among attorneys, particularly in the realm of intellectual property.

Over the years, David has successfully litigated and prosecuted various patent cases across different technological domains, ranging from medical devices to computer hardware and software. His expertise also extends to handling trademark, copyright, trade secret, and breach of contract cases, among others. Bringing to each transactional matter a perspective of being prepared to assert or defend the work product in the courtroom, David adeptly oversees negotiation and implementation of clients’ licensing programs, mergers and acquisitions, and other contract-based matters.

David’s capabilities extend beyond litigation and transactional work – he is a certified mediator, utilizing his extensive experience to facilitate the resolution of complex commercial disputes, including those related to intellectual property. He also serves as an advisor to several governing boards and management teams for companies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

David’s strong presence in the legal field is partly reflected through his involvement in judicially-appointed rules and attorney admissions committees and panels.  This has been particularly prevalent with respect to the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas, since the arrival of Judge Alan Albright in Waco.  David is further still a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars across the country, showcasing his expertise. 

In a rather unique capacity, David’s proficiency as a pilot enables him to quickly reach clients or attend court hearings across the country on short notice. This special capability has been acknowledged in a Law360 article (“Waco IP Atty Calls Pilot License His ‘Secret Weapon”), highlighting how his aviation resources and skills set him apart in serving a nationwide client base. 

Bearing a strong commitment to giving back, David has dedicated over three decades to various roles at Baylor University, including serving as a professor of patent and trademark law and litigation since 1994.  Additionally, David periodically teaches in the Entrepreneurship Program of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, and has served as the vice chair of the non-profit MIlitary Child Education Coalition. 

  • “Waco IP Atty Calls Pilot License His ‘Secret Weapon.” Kass, Dani, Law360 (2022).
  • Quoted in “Search for new patent hub begins after court ends Waco’s hold on U.S. cases.” Brittain, B., Reuters (2022).
  • Quoted in “Judge’s order aims to end patent case boom in Waco’s federal court.” Kyle, M., WacoTribe.Com (2022)
  • Quoted in “Court order could diminish Waco judge’s hold on patent cases. Witherspoon, T. Kwtx.Com (2022).
  • Henry, D. & Lisch, D. (2019). The Newest Patent ‘Rocket-Docket’: Waco, Texas. IPWatchdog.Com | Patents & Patent Law.
  • Henry, D. G. (2021, January 20). Western District of Texas Gets an Upgrade: A Look at the New Waco Courtroom. IPWatchdog.Com | Patents & Patent Law.
  • Henry, D. G. What Inventors Must Do (And Must Not Do) To Fully Protect Their Inventions. PilotAtLaw.Com.
  • Henry, D. G. Trademarks and Service Marks: What Every Business Person Facing Competition Must Know. PilotAtLaw.Com.
  • Preparing Your Device Portfolio for Litigation: Limiting Liability and Managing and Reducing Costs
    Medical Device Patents Conference-American Conference Institute, 2012
  • The Impact of Recent Patent Law Cases and Developments
    Aspatore Press, 2012

In the News

Waco IP Atty Calls Pilot License His ‘Secret Weapon’

By Dani Kass ·  Listen to article Law360 (September 13, 2022, 4:28 PM EDT) — Munck Wilson Mandala LLP partner David Henry has made his personal plane and flying services central to his patent litigation practice in Waco, Texas, where he set up shop long before it became a patent hotspot. By flying his Cessna 421 Golden Eagle to clients

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A. WHEN SHOULD ONE SEEK A PATENT? A patent can be extraordinarily valuable because of its protection, if valuable in the first place, extends from the grant of the patent until twenty years from the filing date of the underlying application provided periodic maintenance fees are paid (35 U.S.C. 154). It is the “utility patent”

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A. WHAT ARE TRADEMARKS AND SERVICEMARKS? Qualifying as a potential trademark or service mark is any word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination thereof, that distinguishes one vendor’s products or services from those of other vendors. If one provides a service (insurance agency, restaurant, retail store, etc.), the “name” on the sign, or brochures promoting the

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Baylor Law School, JD, 1985

Baylor University, BA, 1982

Biology

  • Waco Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program
  • Military Child Education Coalition, National Advisory Committee
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
  • Registered U.S. Patent Attorney

  • Best Lawyers in America
    2020 – 2024
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
    2018

Texas, 1986

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Supreme Court, Texas

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Chancery Court of Delaware

Canadian Patent Office

Certified Mediator