Our story begins with the desire of a few individuals to improve access to valuable data.

Docket Navigator began as a need that Darryl Towell, Docket Navigator’s creator, recognized while he was a patent litigator. Darryl saw that the uncertainty of litigation, especially patent litigation, could be reduced significantly by analyzing litigation data. Key decision-making at every point in the litigation process could be improved if the parties and lawyers had access to a comprehensive set of litigation data that was summarized, organized and categorized to answer the practical questions they faced every day. Questions like:

  • Has a patent been involved in other cases?
  • Has it been infringed or deemed invalid or unenforceable?
  • Have the disputed claim terms been construed?
  • How does the judge assigned to our case typically rule on summary judgment motions (or other types of motions and case management issues)?
The questions had answers, but the answers were buried in a mountain of publicly available information.

We set out to find a solution.

In 2005, Darryl teamed up with his brother Dwayne, a thirty-year veteran software engineer, and sister-in-law Amy, an operations and product development guru. Working together for several years, Darryl, Dwayne and Amy developed the software, systems, and processes that would become Docket Navigator.

We created a product that is flexible enough to handle the changing demands of our subscribers.

In the spring of 2008, Docket Navigator released its first service, the Docket Report, a daily email that provides the latest, most accurate, and most comprehensive information about patent litigation. It covers every significant event in every patent case and includes links to all of the underlying court documents. Today, the Docket Report serves as an indispensable daily resource for more than 11,000 lawyers, judges, consultants, and analysts including over eighty percent of the AmLaw 100 firms. Docket Navigator’s flagship product, a research database eponymously named Docket Navigator, was released at the end of 2010 and now includes patent litigation data from every district court, the International Trade Commission and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Docket Navigator’s continuing mission is to provide actionable intelligence to litigation professionals so they can make better, more informed decisions and more effectively advise and advocate for their clients.

Our approach is very simple. We listen to our customers and build the tools they need. Our customers are a crucial part of our product development efforts and they drive new products and features.

Our Team

Darryl TowellChief Executive Officer
Before founding Docket Navigator, Darryl was a patent litigator for more than ten years. After earning a B.B.A. from Abilene Christian University in 1992 and a J.D. from Pepperdine University in 1995, Darryl began his legal career as a law clerk to Hon. Boyce F. Martin, Jr., Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 1999, Darryl joined Jones Day as a trial attorney specializing in patent litigation. Darryl is happily married to Karyl (also part of the Docket Navigator team) and the proud father of their eight year old daughter.
Amy TowellChief Operations Officer
Amy earned her B.B.A. from Abilene Christian University in 1990 and has 25 years’ experience in finance, marketing, and operations management. As a co-founder and COO, Amy is engaged in most aspects of Docket Navigator’s day-to-day business. She manages information procurement and workflow, assists customers with training and research questions, and helps direct the development of new products and features. Amy is also COO of her family, where she is the mom of 5 awesome children and the wife of a nerdy physics professor.
Dwayne TowellChief Information Officer
Before joining Docket Navigator, Dwayne was a software engineer for 17 years and a professor of Computer Science for 9. Dwayne began his career with an independent software company where he eventually served as head of engineering and technology director. In 2003, Dwayne returned to school and earned an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas Tech University. Dwayne helped start Docket Navigator between semesters and eventually joined full time. Dwayne and his wife Lydia have a brilliant son and a fabulous daughter.
John KramarSoftware Engineer
John is Docket Navigator’s secret weapon. Originally one of Dwayne’s star students, John joined Docket Navigator in 2010, after earning a B.S. in Computer Science from Abilene Christian University.
Karyl TowellAttorney Editor
Karyl earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1993 and her J.D. from Pepperdine University in 1996. Before joining Docket Navigator, Karyl worked as a prosecutor and later as a civil litigator with Morris Polich & Purdy. Karyl is married to Darryl and the mother of a terrific eight year old daughter.
Mary HainesOperations Manager
Mary joined Docket Navigator in 2013, bringing 30 years experience in an administrative role from both civilian and military environments. She is a graduate from Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA. Her greatest gift in life is being mom to an awesome teenage daughter who just happens to be her best friend.
Beth DaugherityTechnical Editor
Beth earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Abilene Christian University in 2001 and joined Halina Andre where she worked as a formulary scientist and Chief Chemist. Beth joined Docket Navigator in 2011 where she curates technical litigation data. Beth is married to her high school sweetheart and nerdy physicist husband, raising a precocious 9 year old daughter and active 4 year old son.
Sheila TowellAccounting/Customer Service
Sheila earned her B.B.A. from Abilene Christian University in 1989 graduating magna cum laude. She has 25 years’ experience in finance and marketing. In addition to customer billing, she sets up group accounts and manages users. Sheila immensely enjoys her role as mother of two talented teenagers and is happily married to the fourth Towell brother, a CIS professor.