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Overview
Introduction
Hari is a first-chair trial and appellate lawyer with a record of success in litigating complex commercial and IP matters, including patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret disputes.
Hari Santhanam has argued successfully before the Supreme Court of the United States and federal courts of appeals and led trial teams to victory in jury and bench trials before federal district courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Complementing his courtroom skills, Hari manages all aspects and stages of litigation, from prefiling investigations to fact and expert discovery, summary judgment, trial, post-trial motions, and appeal.
As a registered patent lawyer with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Hari handles patent reexaminations, inter partes reviews, and other post-grant proceedings. He also advises clients on freedom to operate, portfolio development and management, and corporate transactions.
Hari has represented clients in matters involving a range of life sciences technologies, including medical and dental devices and related software, pharmaceuticals (including Hatch-Waxman actions), biologics, vaccines, crop-protection products, and protected plant varieties and breeds. He also has experience in the areas of vehicle camera and driver-assist systems, AI and machine learning, image processing, power tools, power electronics, semiconductor circuit design and manufacture, insurance software, internet applications, and wireless communication standards.
Maintaining an active pro bono practice, Hari has led several significant criminal and immigration appeals. In 2024, Hari argued Smith v. Arizona (No.22-899) before the Supreme Court of the United States and secured a 9-0 ruling that upholds a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront forensic analysts whose statements are introduced at trial. Among his other pro bono successes, Hari also obtained asylum relief for a Chadian national who fled to the United States after his family members were arrested and disappeared by government forces.
Education & credentials
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 2008
- Northwestern University, M.S., Biomedical Engineering, 2005
- Northwestern University, B.S., Biomedical Engineering, cum laude, 2005
- Illinois
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, IL, Partner, 2014-2022; Summer Associate, Associate, 2007-2014
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chicago, IL, Adjunct Professor, 2014-present
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Judicial Extern for the Hon. Charles R. Norgle, Sr., 2008
- DePaul Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, Chicago, IL, Summer Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Fellow, 2008
- Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., Chicago, IL, Summer Associate, 2006, 2007
Professional recognition
Listed in Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000, 2024, 2025
Ranked by Chambers USA, as "America's Leading Lawyers" for Intellectual Property, 2026
Latest news, deals and awards
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News Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that 39 of its Intellectual Property (IP) lawyers were recognized by Intellectual Asset Management in the 2026 IAM Patent 1000 list, which recognizes the world's leading, best-in-class patent professionals.
June 02, 2026
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News IAM Patent 1000 Recognizes Perkins Coie and 39 Lawyers as Patent Leaders in US and Asia
June 03, 2025
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