Martin J. Adelman

Martin J. Adelman is a distinguished legal scholar and Professor of Law at George Washington University, where he holds the Theodore and James Pedas Family Professorship and co-directs the Intellectual Property Program and Dean Dinwoodey Center for Intellectual Property Studies. Previously, he served as a Professor of Law at Wayne State University (1973–1999) and Acting Dean of the Law School (1974–1975). His expertise spans patent law, antitrust law, and intellectual property, with a focus on international and comparative dimensions.

Education includes an A.B. from the University of Michigan (1958), an M.S. in Physics (1959), and a J.D. (1962). He clerked for U.S. District Judge Theodore Levin and practiced law in patent litigation and corporate roles before academia. He has authored foundational texts like Patent Law Perspectives and frequently testified as an expert in over 190 patent infringement cases.

Research interests emphasize patent policy, antitrust dynamics, and the intersection of law and economics. His work addresses global IP frameworks, including TRIPS Agreement implications and comparative analyses of patent systems. He has held visiting positions at the University of Michigan and George Washington University, and served leadership roles in academic governance, including President of the Wayne State University Faculty Senate (1976–1979).

Publications span refereed and invited articles in leading journals, focusing on doctrinal innovations, legal history, and transnational IP issues. Notable works include analyses of the Federal Circuit’s impact, Seventh Amendment implications, and the exhaustion doctrine. His contributions bridge theoretical scholarship and practical legal challenges in patent litigation and policy.