Vaughn W. North

Mr. Vaughn North, of counsel, was a founding partner of the firm in 1979.  He graduated with a BS in Chemistry (minor in Physics) in 1970.  Following three years of service in Germany as an officer in the U.S. Army (also completing additional studies in electronics), he attended law school at the University of Utah.  During over 30 years of patent practice, Mr. North has extended his technology background into composites, robotics, computer hardware and software, and bioengineering.

Upon graduation with his Juris Doctor, he was employed as a Patent Attorney for the University of Utah.  In addition to experience with technology transfer and licensing on behalf of the University, his field of patent work included the Jarvik artificial heart series, advanced laser gyroscopes for NASA, ceramic materials, numerous medical devices, including fundamental patents on iontophoresis, peritoneal dialysis and advanced heart research of Dr. Willem Kolff, a prestigious member of The National Inventors Hall of Fame.  Mr. North also secured the fundamental patents on the work of Mr. Elwood (Woody) Norris, 2005 winner of the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT national inventor award for work in parametric sound.  Mr. North has personally authored well over 1000 patents.  Fields of technology extend through all disciplines of chemical, mechanical, electrical, and computer related fields.  In additional to patent work, Mr. North has provided strategic planning support in integrating intellectual property planning within complex business issues of new, startup companies.

Mr. North has patented numerous of his own inventions, including several US and foreign patents for methods for converting ocean waves to useful electrical current.  He is listed in Who’s Who of American Inventors, Strathmore’s Who’s Who Registry of Business Leaders, International Who’s Who of Professionals, and Who’s Who in American Law.  Mr. North received recognition as the Utah Man of the Year in 1993, and has been identified among the Preeminent Lawyers in Utah by Utah Business magazine for the past several years.

Mr. North currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the U of U Law School, and has been a member of the Governor’s Task Force for Tech Transfer.  He has served as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 16 years and as a member of the choir, is a recent recipient of the National Medal of the Arts from President Bush.  He is the founder and conductor of the New Millennial Chorus and has composed numerous choral works, including a recording of an original eighteen piece anthology entitled “The New Testament in Christ”.  Community services include the National Exchange Club and Heart Association, as well as work with the Boy Scouts, church organizations, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Sandy Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. North is also Founder and Chairman of the Board for The Spirit of Renaissance Foundation, a charitable corporation supporting advancement of the arts and sciences, and specifically providing recognition to the independent inventor community.  He also founded Utahinventor.org, an organization for the benefit of Utah inventors.  

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To schedule an appointment with Mr. North you may email or call our main office at 1-801-566-6633.
Thorpe North & Western looks forward to assisting you with your Intellectual Property needs.