Covington & Burling LLP | Practices, Industries & Regions

Covington represents foreign and domestic clients in trade law proceedings worldwide. Drawing on our unparalleled experience in international trade issues and government relations, we steer clients through both the narrow issues raised in trade actions and the broader international trade issues arising from such actions. We have represented clients in proceedings arising under the trade laws of the United States, including:

Unfair trade practices arising from infringement of intellectual property under Section 337;
The antidumping and countervailing duty laws;
The US safeguards provision; and
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (authorizing retaliation against foreign countries that restrict access to their markets).

Through our Brussels and London offices, we have assisted clients in trade law proceedings before the European Union and in related proceedings before the national governments of EU member states. We have also represented US and other multinational corporations involved in antidumping and other trade proceedings in countries in Asia and South America.

No other firm can boast our breadth of experience in international trade issues and government relations. Covington’s experience in both focused trade disputes and global trade policy simply sets it apart.

Representative Matters

Representing a leading consumer electronics manufacturer in patent infringement investigation before the ITC. In re: Certain Short Wavelength Light Emitting Diodes, Laser Diodes and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-640
Representing leading semiconductor manufacturer in patent infringement investigation before the ITC. In re: Certain Semiconductor Chips With Minimized Chip Package Size, Inv. No. 337-TA-605.
We reached a successful settlement for a client seeking to bar importation of knock-off ear warmers that infringed the client’s patent portfolio. In re Certain Ear Protection Devices, Inv. No. 337-TA-518 (I.T.C.).
Advising a multinational electronics company on the impact of an exclusion order from the ITC in a section 337 action and guiding it in dealing with Customs.

Accolades

The Best Lawyers in America - Three attorneys recognized for Intellectual Property Law (2007-2008).
Legal 500 EMEA, 2006-2007, Intellectual Property (Belgium) - "Covington & Burling LLP 'provides a high-quality, cost-effective work product' according to one client. Regulatory concerns are ably dealt with through the firm's legislative experience, and the firm is a good choice for litigation, particularly in relation to electronic media" (2007).
Chambers USA's - America's Leading Business Lawyers - One attorney recognized for Intellectual Property (2006-2008).
International Who's Who of Business Lawyers - One attorney recognized for Patent (2005-2007).
PLC - Life Sciences, Which Lawyer? - One attorney recognized for Intellectual Property (2005-2008).
European Legal Experts - One attorney recognized for Intellectual Property (Brussels) (2006).
PLC Global Counsel 2006 - Global Counsel Magazine, “The Life Sciences Industry Super League” - ranked number one in the world, 23 Covington lawyers were recommended as leaders in their fields, including seven lawyers in Europe.
European Legal 500, Intellectual Property (Belgium) - “…Covington & Burling has a successful IP regulatory practice, the firm also undertakes high-end litigation in the Belgian courts” (2005).
Legal 500, Commercial Litigation (EU) - “Covington & Burling is ‘business-orientated and user-friendly.' The lawyers are ‘efficient and responsive.’ Areas of expertise include complex commercial contracts, IP, life sciences, product liability, wrongful denials of insurance coverage and environmental torts” (2005).
One of our Covington partners is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and vice chair of the Complex Litigation Committee.
Another partner served as a United States District Court Judge for the District of Delaware for ten years presiding over 100 trials.
One of our attorneys was a Senior Investigative Attorney in the Office of Unfair Import Investigations at the International Trade Commission for eight years representing the public interest in twenty Section 337 investigations.
In 2005, Covington was awarded “Best Achievement in Protecting IP on the Internet” at the WORLDleaders European Awards.