Patent Litigation

Trial Depth. Covington’s patent litigation practice starts with top-notch trial lawyers who know how to prepare a case for trial, who have tried patent cases to verdicts before judges and juries, and who regularly handle major patent-related arbitrations. Two of our patent litigation partners are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and one was elected a Vice Chair of the Complex Litigation Committee.

Technical Expertise. We have married effective advocacy with substantive expertise. More than 50 of our litigators have clerked for federal trial and appellate judges, and more than 70 of our patent litigators have technical degrees in areas such as computer engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, pharmacology, and physics.

Geographic Reach. We have successfully litigated cases in every significant patent jurisdiction in the country, including the Eastern District of Texas, Delaware, California, New York, New Jersey, and the Federal Circuit. Notably, one of our patent litigators is a former U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Delaware who presided over more than 200 patent infringement cases while on the bench. We also have a depth of experience before the International Trade Commission (ITC) where we have appeared in over 90 Section 337 cases spanning more than 30 years, including some of the largest and most high-profile matters to have come before the ITC. We have achieved successful outcomes for clients in each of the 20 ITC matters we have handled since 2008.

Industry Knowledge. We have been lead counsel in patent infringement cases throughout the country involving disputes covering a wide range of industries, including computer and electronics, software, financial services, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, chemical, metallurgical, and mechanical. We have also prosecuted numerous patents in these industries and have prepared reexamination requests and handled reexaminations.

Broad Resources. We draw on Covington’s traditional strengths as one of the world’s leading law firms, including its litigation, antitrust, FDA, communications, and technology practices. Our depth of experience allows us to handle matters in a cost-effective manner, with lean staffing and cross-office collaboration leading to efficient and complete coverage.

Appellate Talent. Covington has a longstanding, highly successful appellate litigation practice that extends to our patent litigation practice. The firm’s appellate practice includes 30 specialists, including three former federal judges, four former Assistants to the Solicitor General of the United States, 18 former Supreme Court clerks, and former law clerks from every federal court of appeals. Our attorneys have handled more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court and hundreds in state and federal appeals courts. Indeed, Covington has been named to The National Law Journal’s Appellate Hot List in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 as having one of the top appellate practices in the country. Our patent litigation practice has a track record of obtaining favorable results for our clients on patent cases before the Federal Circuit and is regularly asked to represent clients on appeal after a lower court has entered an adverse ruling.