Matthew J. Rizzolo

Practice Areas

Matt is a seasoned and versatile litigator who works with companies across industries, developing and implementing creative strategies to enforce clients’ intellectual property rights, defend clients from infringement and unfair competition claims, and resolve complex business disputes. Matt leads the firm’s practice in Section 337 actions before the United States International Trade Commission and has significant experience litigating intellectual property-related cases in a variety of jurisdictions, including federal district courts throughout the United States, the Court of Federal Claims, the Federal Circuit, and before the Patent Trial & Appeal Board, as well as in international arbitrations and proceedings before U.S. Customs and Border Protection. His practice encompasses all facets of litigation, from pre-suit investigation through trial, post-trial proceedings, and appeals.

Matt has counseled clients in patent cases involving a wide variety of technical fields, including smartphones, video gaming devices, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, and Internet-related services, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. He has additional experience in drafting and negotiating patent and technology licensing agreements, and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In addition to his patent experience, Matt is well-versed in litigating a broad range of additional intellectual property and unfair competition-related issues, including Lanham Act false advertising and trademark matters, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, FRAND licensing, and constitutional issues. He also maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented pro bono clients in federal and state courts, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and before the Social Security Administration.

Matt frequently writes and speaks on a wide variety of intellectual property issues, and is a sought-after commentator who has been quoted in media such as The National Law Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC, and Law360, among others. He is a co-host of Ropes & Gray’s IP(DC) podcast, which focuses on intellectual property developments emanating from Washington, DC. While at a previous law firm, Matt also co-founded and wrote for The Essential Patent Blog, a legal blog that focuses on issues relating to standard-essential patents. Prior to law school, Matt worked in various technical and engineering positions for Cooper Industries, an electrical products manufacturer, as part of Cooper’s Operations Leadership Program.