Kirk A. Sigmon

From D.C. to Tokyo, Kirk helps companies tackle complex technology challenges, from high-stakes patent prosecution and litigation to portfolio development, cross-border licensing, and maximizing IP value.

Patent, AI, & Cross-Border IP Experience

Kirk began his legal career at a law firm in Tokyo and now advises on U.S., Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and European IP matters. His practice spans technologies from artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to video games, fashion, and consumer products. He has handled major patent prosecution and enforcement disputes across AI, cybersecurity, communications systems, and regulated technologies such as biotech and medical devices.

Scholarship & Leadership

A former Edison Fellow at George Mason University, Kirk is one of the foremost authorities on AI and machine learning patent law, subject matter eligibility, and video game code decompilation and copyright. He also serves as vice-chair of the Intellectual Property Owners Association Anti-Counterfeiting & Anti-Piracy Committee.

Kirk is currently part of a select graduate cohort at Dartmouth, where his research focuses on deep learning, machine vision, and field-programmable gate arrays.

Technical Depth & AI Tools

Kirk is the primary developer of KellDann's PatentAgility, an open-source AI/ML/NLP-based patent analysis toolkit (opens in a new tab). That technical fluency informs his work on patent strategy, subject matter eligibility, and other difficult technology-law issues where clients need both legal judgment and engineering understanding.

Earlier Practice & Service

Prior to founding KellDann with Ross and Scott, Kirk practiced at leading IP firms. He has maintained an active pro bono practice, including representing a Guantanamo Bay detainee in military proceedings and victims of sexual violence in U-Visa proceedings. He has also advised clients in investigations by the DoJ, CFPB, and SEC involving complex technical issues.