Intellectual Property: Litigation
USA Guide 2024 : District of Columbia
Band 1
Contact number
202 662 6000Chambers Review
Covington & Burling LLP has a respected patent litigation group often retained by pharmaceutical and technology giants to appear before the ITC and the federal courts in significant high-stakes disputes. The team is well versed in the coordination of complex international IP litigations which become global in scope. Wider expertise is offered on a range of non-patent matters, including trade secrets, brand management and copyright disputes. The team offers particular strength in the USPTO acting for both patent owners and petitioners, particularly in the life sciences sector, and exhibits considerable expertise handling Hatch-Waxman litigation.
Work Highlights
- Covington & Burling LLP represented AstraZeneca in multiple Hatch-Waxman proceedings related to efforts by Mylan to launch a generic version of Symbicort, AstraZeneca’s blockbuster treatment for asthma and COPD.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Covington has expertise in a number of related areas and is truly a one-stop shop for clients."
"The Covington team is strategic in every aspect of IP disputes and IP strategy."
"The Covington team is fantastic. They're fabulous writers, responsive, helpful and wonderful people to work with."
"Covington has expertise in a number of related areas and is truly a one-stop shop for clients."
"The Covington team is strategic in every aspect of IP disputes and IP strategy."
"The Covington team is fantastic. They're fabulous writers, responsive, helpful and wonderful people to work with."
Notable Practitioners
George Pappas is an esteemed litigator who draws widespread praise for his expertise in bet-the-company IP disputes. He serves clients from a range of industry sectors.
"George is a luminary in this space."
"A highly respected IP attorney."
Richard Rainey has notable expertise in patent litigation and frequently represents clients in patent disputes relating to complex technological matters including electronic communications and agricultural technology.
"He's a very articulate, persuasive and well-regarded federal circuit advocate."
"He is someone you can rely on to provide trusted legal advice. I love his creativity, especially under enormous pressure."
"His advice was very practical and focused, and his written and oral advocacy was extremely high quality."
Brian Nester maintains a respected patent and trade secrets practice, and regularly acts before the ITC and PTAB. His patent expertise includes consumer electronics, technology and telecommunications.
"He's a very good ITC specialist."
Christopher Sipes is a cochair of the firm's patent litigation practice group. He is an experienced IP litigator who frequently handles Hatch-Waxman cases and trade secrets disputes.
"He has a depth of legal knowledge and experience and is able to understand and explain complex scientific subject matter in layman's terms."
Jeffrey Lerner is increasingly recognized for his adept representation of companies involved in complex patent disputes. He frequently acts on behalf of major technology and pharmaceutical companies.
"Jeffrey Lerner is a very experienced IP litigator. He was very persuasive before the judge and jury and very knowledgeable and strategic in every aspect of IP matters."
"He's a superb lawyer and I was very impressed with his abilities."
"He's good at communicating the key issues and proposing the options and solutions. He's calm and measured."
Ranked Lawyers at
Covington & Burling LLP
District of Columbia