Clonts IP is a boutique law firm dedicated to protecting innovation and Monetizing IP.

David Clonts’ career journey has spanned the landscape of the practice of intellectual property. He is a nationally recognized trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes intellectual property and commercial litigation. He has managed over 70 disputes in federal and state courts across the country as well as the Patent and Trademark Office, handling complex patent, trade secret, and business matters for Fortune 500 companies, global brands, and technology innovators. Early in his career, David balanced this litigation with a patent prosecution/diligence practice, invaluable background to his patent litigation practice.

David leveraged this experience into a strategic counseling practice, advising companies, litigation funders, portfolio acquisition entities, and others on the strength and weaknesses of individual cases, campaigns, and overall patent portfolios. He has spent the last 20 years providing such counsel and assistance to funders, established technology companies, startups, and others. In the course of this work, David had diligenced well over a hundred matters, including individual cases, law firm portfolios, and patent portfolios. He has also provided extensive diligence and advice to Fortune 500 companies on both acquiring and licensing patents and patent portfolios.

Before launching Clonts IP in 2025, David was a founding partner at Cadwell Clonts Reeder & Thomas and previously a partner for over 20 years at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. He started his practice in 1991 at Pravel, Gambrell, Kimball & Krieger—a boutique intellectual property litigation and transactional practice in Houston, Texas.

With this wealth of experience, David focuses on matching the legal plan to his clients business needs—the business context necessarily both drives what’s required for a matter and informs on how to best triage the approach. An early hard yes or hard no can save both countless hours and dollars. And sometimes a matter needs Cadillac treatment, sometimes Chevy—but more often somewhere in between. David’s experience provides a sound basis for that judgment—and avoids surprises.

Throughout his career, David has earned a reputation for integrity, strategic insight, and a relentless commitment to client success. He particularly values and strives for relationships where he is considered part of his client’s extended internal team, working together to achieve their business and professional goals. At Clonts IP, he offers a more focused, individually tailored level of service—combining the depth of big-firm experience with the agility of a boutique practice.

When not practicing law, you can find David spending time with his wife and four daughters, or engaging in his other passion, trekking in the backcountry.