Dr David V Sanker, PhD

SankerIP is a boutique IP law firm based in Silicon Valley, distinguished for its exceptional technical depth and its tailored, client-focused service. Drawing on decades of experience in both Big Law and hands-on engineering, the firm offers a full spectrum of patent services – from prosecution to freedom-to-operate, from due diligence to long-term IP strategy – all delivered by practitioners who truly speak the language of inventors. What sets SankerIP apart is its fusion of deep scientific expertise with legal rigour: the team includes professionals with advanced degrees in STEM, alongside seasoned patent attorneys who have worked at the top tiers of global law firms.

At the helm of SankerIP is its Founder, Dr David V Sanker, a recognised authority in the intersection of IP and AI. Dr Sanker brings an extraordinary pedigree to his role, holding a PhD in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and a JD from the same institution. Before entering the legal profession, he taught mathematics as a university lecturer and spent more than a decade as a software engineer, building large-scale production systems and designing complex databases. These early experiences underpin his rare ability to translate profoundly technical innovation into legally robust patent strategies.

Dr Sanker’s 20-year tenure at the multinational law firm Morgan Lewis refined his expertise across both litigation and prosecution. He has handled patent litigation before federal courts and the US International Trade Commission, and has led patent filings in diverse fields: software, cybersecurity, semiconductors, medical devices, AR/VR, database architecture and more. Since founding SankerIP in 2024, he and his team have applied that rich background to build global patent portfolios rooted in scientific insight and commercial purpose. He is widely recognised as a thought leader in AI, frequently publishing and speaking on such topics as generative AI, inventorship and the evolving implications of AI for patent law.

SankerIP’s core service offering begins with patent prosecution, where its technically sophisticated lawyers collaborate directly with inventors and patent examiners to secure claims that are not only novel but durable. Because its practitioners are scientists and engineers first, they can grasp the nuance of cutting-edge inventions in machine learning, computer vision and quantum computing – and can advocate comprehensively for strong protection across jurisdictions. The firm further provides strategic IP counselling: reviewing existing portfolios to assess quality, diversity and alignment with business objectives, as well as advising on when to balance patents with trade secrets. Meanwhile, an increasingly vital part of the practice is freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis.

SankerIP’s commitment to quality and impact has been recognised in prestigious legal rankings: the firm is featured in the 2025 Chambers Spotlight Guide for both its IP and AI offerings, demonstrating its ability to deliver partner-level attention and real strategic value without the cost of large-law overhead.