Samuel J. LaRoque Ph.D.

Sam concentrates his practice on intellectual property counseling and litigation, with an emphasis on patent matters. Sam’s experience spans a wide range of technologies, including wireless communications, medical devices, computer hardware and software, internet technologies, and X-ray imaging in both medical and security spaces. Sam excels at managing cases, having led teams and directly advised clients in infringement and invalidity analyses and strategies for claim construction and dispositive motions.

Sam’s insights have contributed to multiple nine-figure outcomes for his clients. In addition to his district court practice, Sam maintains an active practice counseling clients in inter partes reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Sam also maintains an active pro bono practice. He has assisted the Missouri State Public Defender in multiple criminal defense proceedings, and he secured protected status for a family seeking asylum in the U.S. through the Kansas City Immigration Court after fleeing gang violence in Guatemala.

Prior to law school, Sam worked at Robins Kaplan as a registered patent agent and senior scientist, where he performed patent portfolio assessments and helped prepare technical experts and inventors for statements and depositions. Sam holds Ph.D. and master’s degrees in astrophysics from the University of Chicago, where he also spent two years as a postdoctoral research fellow in radiology developing mathematical algorithms for image reconstruction in CT and MRI.

Education

• University of Kansas School of Law, Order of the Coif (2018); University of Kansas Law Review, Staff Member (2016-2017), Articles Editor (2017-2018)
• University of Chicago, M.S. and Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics (2005)
• Cornell University, Bachelor of Arts in Physics, cum laude (1998)

• C.C. Stewart Award - First Overall in Law School Class
• Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
• Rice Scholar
• National Moot Court Competition; Winner, Regional Competition; Best (Regional) Petitioner Brief
• CALI Awards (Alternative Dispute Resolution; Civil Procedure; Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Lawyering Skills II; Patent Law)

Civic

• Minneapolis Commodores Barbershop Chorus, Board Member (2012-2014)

Professional

• American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Speeches

• Thoughts on Continuing Impacts of the AIA from a Patent Analyst Turned 'New Lawyer.'
  AIPLA Committee on the Profession Speaker Showcase (May 4, 2023)