John M. Golden
Edward S. Knight Chair in Law, Entrepreneurialism, and Innovation, Professor of Law
John M. Golden holds the Edward S. Knight Chair in Law, Entrepreneurialism, and Innovation at the University of Texas School of Law. He brings a rare combination of scientific and legal training to his scholarship, holding a Ph.D. in Physics in addition to his J.D., both from Harvard. He clerked for Judge Michael Boudin of the First Circuit and Associate Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court, and practiced in the intellectual property group at WilmerHale. He served as faculty director of the Andrew Ben White Center in Law, Science and Social Policy from 2011 to 2022.
Teaching Style
Professor Golden brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the classroom, drawing on his Ph.D. in physics to illuminate complex questions at the intersection of law, science, and technology. His Socratic questioning is methodical and probing, often asking students to consider how scientific concepts interact with legal frameworks. He is patient but persistent in cold calls, expecting students to reason carefully through technical legal doctrines while understanding their broader innovation policy implications.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Understand the basic science or technology underlying patent cases before class, as Professor Golden will expect you to engage with technical details
- 2Be prepared to discuss the economic rationale behind intellectual property protections
- 3Review the procedural aspects of patent cases, including administrative review processes at the Patent Office
- 4Think about how patent doctrines affect innovation incentives and the balance between patent holders and the public
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School
- Ph.D. in Physics, Harvard University
- A.B. in Physics and History, Harvard College
Notable Publications
- Numerous articles in top law reviews on patent remedies and biotechnology patentability
- Former Faculty Director, Andrew Ben White Center in Law, Science and Social Policy
Research Interests
More Professors at University of Texas School of Law
Constitutional Law, National Security Law, Cybersecurity Law and Policy, Evidence
Torts, Contracts, Restitution, Civil Procedure
Federal Civil Procedure, Remedies, Bankruptcy
Federal Courts, Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Statutory Interpretation
Federal Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence