Joseph M. Maraia
Partner | Co-Chair, Intellectual Property

overview
Joe Maraia sits on Burns’ Executive and Diversity Committees and, as co-chair of the firm’s IP Group, focuses on providing strategic business counsel for clients that primarily operate in the engineering arts and biotech sectors. He has extensive experience in the U.S. and foreign patent prosecution and litigation matters in the Federal Courts and the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
His real-world experience as an Electrical Engineer, coupled with his practical experience as a Master Electrician, affords him a unique skill set that provides a forward-looking, personal approach to knowing his clients business that allows him to provide in-depth, strategic intellectual property and business advice aligned with his clients’ business goals.
education
J.D., Suffolk University Law School
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
admissions
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Supreme Court
honors & awards
Managing Intellectual Property “IP Star” (2014-2022)
The Best Lawyers in America© Best Lawyer, Copyright Law (2014-2024)
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly – “Go To IP Lawyer” (2021)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2013-2023)
National Law Journal – Intellectual Property Trailblazer (2017)
Chambers USA – Intellectual Property (2014-2017)
Client Choice Award Intellectual Property – Patents (Massachusetts, 2016)
Massachusetts Rising Stars (2010-2012)

community involvement
S|A Maraia Charities
- President
S|A Maraia Charities was formed to help children in the names of two of Joe’s deceased brothers.
Lasell College
- Board of Trustees
memberships
Boston Patent Law Association (BPLA)
Boston Bar Association (BBA)
International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
American Bar Association (ABA)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
articles
articles
“Why I Became A Lawyer: A Circuitous Path To The Law”, Law360, April 2019
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Alice Case: What You Need to Know,” Burns & Levinson Intellectual Property Update, June 2014
“Brief of Amicus Curiae Boston Patent Law Association in Support of Appellant on Rehearing En Banc,” Boston Patent Law Association Brief of Amicus Curiae, June 2011
“Another Shot at Patent Reform: The Patent Reform Act of 2011,” Boston Patent Law Association Newsletter, Winter 2011
“Intrepid Rescue.com Remains at Forefront, Pushes the Keyword/Trademark Envelope,” Boston Patent Law Association Newsletter, Spring 2010
“Federal Circuit Rules En Banc that 35 U.S.C. § 271(f) Does Not Apply to Method Claims,” Boston Patent Law Association Newsletter, November 2009
“Supreme Court Reverses Federal Circuit on Obviousness Law,” Boston Patent Law Association Newsletter, August 2007