Philip McKay

Philip McKay is an attorney at Hawley Troxell and the Chair of the firm’s Patent and Emerging Technology, Intellectual Property, and Internet practice groups, a role he has held since 2013. With more than three decades of experience, he advises clients worldwide on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management. He counsels companies across diverse industries, helping them leverage intellectual property to support strategic growth and competitive advantage.

Philip earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics, cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1990, and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1993. While at USC, he served as both Editor and Senior Editor of the USC Tax and Interdisciplinary Law Journal. He has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 1994 and is licensed in California, Washington, Texas, and the District of Columbia.

Before joining Hawley Troxell, Philip co-founded Gunnison, McKay & Hodgson, LLP, a patent firm in Monterey, California, where he practiced for 14 years. He also served as managing in-house patent counsel for a Fortune 100 company, where he supervised patent attorneys and oversaw patent programs for hardware and research divisions, contributing to one of Silicon Valley’s largest portfolios.

Throughout his career, Philip has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of domestic and international patent applications. His representative technologies include renewable energy, medical devices, artificial intelligence, cloud architecture, microprocessor design, and software systems. Beyond drafting and prosecution, he provides guidance in technology positioning, portfolio development, and IP strategies that align with long-term business objectives.

With a background that blends private practice, corporate counsel experience, and leadership in intellectual property law, Philip McKay continues to serve as a trusted advisor to innovators navigating today’s evolving technological landscape.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Hawley Troxell
• Former Partner, Gunnison, McKay & Hodgson, LLP
• Member, Texas State Bar
• Member, Washington State Bar
• Member, Bar of the District of Columbia
• Member, California State Bar

Licensed State

• Texas
• Washington
• District of Columbia
• California

Education

• University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of California, Los Angeles

  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges