John Molenda
John Molenda
John Molenda is an attorney who works with Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He is co-chair of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Practice and heads the Intellectual Property Practice for the New York office.
He represents clients across a range of technologies, including small molecule pharmaceuticals (Hatch-Waxman), biotherapeutics (biologics), biochemical research tools, genetically modified plants, medical devices, semiconductors, fiber optics, and computer software. He also counsels clients on strategic use of inter partes review proceedings (IPRs) as part of litigation and settlement strategy.
Early Life and Education
John Molenda was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on April 12, 1931. He attended the University of Scranton where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1952.
He received his Master of Science in microbiology from Utah State University in 1957. He subsequently became a professor of chemistry at Brother Rice High School where he taught for 40 years.
Besides being a professor, Molenda has also done some notable work in the field of microbiology. His accomplishments include discovering the bacterium vibrio parahaemolyticus, which is responsible for the food borne disease Salmonella poisoning. He has received many other honors as well. In fact, Molenda is considered to be a member of the Hall of Fame. He was the first person to hold a patent in the field of microbiology and is considered a pioneer in the field.
Professional Career
john molenda spent 35 years as a golf professional serving the membership at Knollwood Country Club. He won the 1968 Michigan Open, the 1971 Michigan PGA, was part of 10 National PGA Club Professional Championships and two U.S. Opens, and the 1990 Michigan Senior Open.
He also won the 1974 Detroit Chevy Dealers Championship. He was named Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1985.
His legal practice includes patent litigation at the district court and appellate levels, opinions of counsel, and post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review (IPR) reexaminations. His practice focuses on chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech patents, including biologics and biosimilars. He is a frequent speaker on recent developments in IPRs for organizations such as ACI, World Congress, Knowledge Group, BIOTECanada, and Canaccord Genuity.
Achievements and Honors
John Molenda was a microbiologist who made an impressive discovery. He was able to identify the bacteria that causes food borne illness in the United States.
A microbiologist by training, he worked at universities and laboratories in the United States and abroad, where he contributed to numerous scientific publications. He also served as the founder and president of a nonprofit research organization.
He is co-chair of Steptoe’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Practice and heads the Intellectual Property Practice for the firm’s New York office. He has extensive experience in patent litigation at the district court and appellate levels, opinions of counsel, due diligence, and inter partes reviews (IPRs).
Personal Life
John Molenda is a retired fire and EMS chief who now serves as Lake County Public Safety Deputy Director. He joined the agency in 2016, having spent 22 years with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, where he was deputy fire chief.
He is a member of several local and regional organizations and currently holds a paramedic certification and associate’s degree in fire science. His fire and EMS career has taken him all over Florida, including New York, and he has served on multiple search and rescue teams.
He also has extensive appellate experience, representing clients in dozens of federal court appeals, including one of the first pharmaceutical-related IPR appeals. He is a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association and is co-vice chair of the Patent Litigation Committee.
Net Worth
John Molenda has an estimated net worth of $20-35K. He lives in a single family home on 102 S Yale Ave in Villa Park, Illinois 60181. He is 63 years old and has been married for 2 years. He has an estimated income of $15-24K per year. He has lived in this area for years. He has no children living with him. The median home value in this area is $300-349K. People in this area have completed 13-15 years of school as a median.
