Andrew C. Byrnes

Andrew Byrnes represents emerging and established companies, including technology companies in the software, semiconductor, telecommunications and Internet sectors, in patent and complex commercial disputes. He also advises companies engaging in intellectual property strategy and transactions.

In addition, Mr. Byrnes represents candidates, political committees, corporations and non-profit organizations in election and political law matters.  He has served as Co-Chair of the Finance Committee of the California Democratic Party, and Chair of the San Mateo County (California) Democratic Party.  His expertise in election and political law includes California state and federal rules governing campaign finance, lobbying, and other political activity.

Representative Matters

Intellectual Property

• In The Matter Of Certain Semiconductor Chips and Products Containing Same, Investigation No. 337-TA-822 (International Trade Commission).  Represented VIZIO, Inc. as respondent in an unfair trade practice claim relating to patent on integrated circuit technology.
• PhatRat Technology, LLC v. Apple Computer, Inc., 06-CV-02122-REB (D. Colo.); and PhatRat Technology LLC v. Apple Inc. et al., 07-CV-00238-REB (D. Colo.). Represented leading technology company in these patent infringement cases involving technology for monitoring athletic performance.
• Fortinet, Inc. v. Trend Micro Incorporated, CV 08-05371 MMC (N.D. Cal.), 1-09-CV149262 (Santa Clara Sup. Ct., Cal.), CV 10-00048 MMC (N.D. Cal.).  Represented Trend Micro in patent and breach of contract litigation concerning anti-virus technology.
• Overture Services, Inc. v. Google, Inc., C 02-01991 JSW (N.D. Cal.); and Overture Services, Inc. v. FindWhat.com, Inc., SACV 03-00685 CJC (C.D. Cal.).  Represented Overture in these patent infringement cases involving sponsored search advertising on the Internet.
• Symantec Corporation and PowerQuest Corporation v. Altiris, Inc., 2-04CV-161DF (E.D. Tex.).  Represented Symantec and PowerQuest in this patent infringement case involving technology for computer and network administration.
• Altiris, Inc. v. Symantec Corporation, 2:99CV-1007ST (C.D. Utah).  Represented Symantec Corporation in this patent infringement case involving technology for remotely controlling the boot process of a computer.

Pro Bono

• Ortega Melendres v. Arpaio, No. CV 07-2513-PHX-GMS (D. Ariz.). Represent class of Latinos who have been or will be stopped, detailed, questioned or searched by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his agents while driving or sitting in a vehicle in racial profiling/civil rights lawsuit.

Memberships and Affiliations

• State Bar of California
• American Bar Association
• American Constitution Society

Publications and Speeches

• "A Primer on Super PACs," Covington Advisory (1/25/2012), Co-Author
• "I Went Down To The Crossroads: Lifting the Blindfold About the Origin of 501(c)(4) Political Advertisements," University of San Francisco Law Review (Fall 2011), Co-Author
• "I Went Down To The Crossroads," University of San Francisco Law Review Symposium: Democracy, Inc.? Citizens United, Corporate Expenditures & the Future of Campaign Finance Law (2/25/2011)