Wood IP

Coby brings more than 25 years of experience in intellectual property law and electrical engineering to his role as Of Counsel at Wood IP. His practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution, licensing, portfolio management, and strategic counseling across diverse industries, including manufacturing, control systems, semiconductors, telecommunications, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies.

Coby has held senior in-house and law firm roles throughout his career. As Senior Patent Attorney at Smith, Gambrell & Russell in Atlanta and Patent Counsel for Whirlpool Corporation, he provided comprehensive legal counsel on intellectual property matters, guiding patent portfolios and managing complex litigation. At Rheem Manufacturing Company, he spearheaded the company’s patent program, doubling annual patent filings in 2020 and driving 10% year-over-year portfolio growth. He also developed an enterprise-wide plan for building and protecting Rheem’s patent and trademark assets, while managing outside counsel and monetization initiatives.

Earlier in his career, Coby served as Director of Patent Licensing and Sales at AT&T Intellectual Property, where he was responsible for more than $18 million in annual licensing revenue and contributed to team efforts generating over $200 million. His experience in both monetization and enforcement provides clients with unique insight into the full lifecycle of intellectual property rights.

Beyond his corporate practice, Coby is committed to advancing the patent profession. He serves as a member of the Board of Advisors and as a lecturer for the National Council on Patent Practicum, Inc. (NCPP), where he mentors and trains aspiring patent attorneys.

Coby earned his Juris Doctor from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel. He is admitted to the Georgia Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a Certified Patent Practitioner and a Certified Engineer-in-Training (SCLLR).