Gina Durham > DLA Piper LLP (US) > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

The patent litigation practice at DLA Piper LLP (US) has widespread expertise in the ITC field, routinely leading cases for blue-chip clients including Toyota, Dell, Lenovo, and Motorola. The team has notably represented Microsoft in a number of ITC cases, and boasts an impressive success rate. Erin Gibson is the chair of the practice, operating out of the firm’s San Diego office, with US chair of the wider intellectual property and technology practice Sean Cunningham in the same location. Two further heads of the team, Gina Durham and Michael Sitzman, also operate out of California, in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices respectively. Helena Kiepura completes the leadership of the team, having been appointed to vice chair of the ITC practice. Silicon Valley-based Mark Fowler is another key figure in the team, acting as lead counsel for many technology and medical device companies.

DLA Piper LLP (US) acts on behalf of global companies involved in numerous industries and sectors in relation to patent transactions, technologies regarding patent licensing as well as transactions involving covenants. The firm advises clients on patent licensing transactions to settle patent litigation, also possessing expertise in the creation, management and monetization of patent portfolios. Notably, the firm also advises technology clients on patent licensing in connection with M&A, which includes the sale of assets, among others. Its matters encompass a variety of jurisdictions, such as the UK and Germany, with an ability to handle issues on a global market scale. Boston’s Larissa Bifano is experienced in patenting and licensing artificial intelligence driven systems and methods for clients. Victoria Lee, who is based in Silicon Valley, contributes a wide range of expertise, including strategic IP counselling, licensing agreements and technology spin-outs from universities. Alongside them, Sean Cunningham, who is based in the firm’s San Diego office, and Gina Durham, who is based in the firm’s San Francisco office, also lead the team. San Diego’s Lisa Haile concentrates on patent protection and IP transactional matters.

DLA Piper LLP (US) harnesses the bench strength of a global network spanning the Americas, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. The team is headed by Sean Cunningham in San Diego, seasoned litigator and tech and media sector specialist Gina Durham in San Francisco, and Tamar Duvdevani in New York, who brings expertise to trademark and right of publicity disputes. Other key figures include Melissa Reinckens in San Diego, who provides experience in competitor lawsuits (state and federal Lanham Act) and regulatory and administrative challenges, and Tamany Vinson Bentz in Los Angeles, who handles novel disputes relating to digital media and consumer products. Partner Michael Geller in Chicago was promoted in April 2022, while Kevin Fee in DC joined the firm from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in May 2022.

DLA Piper LLP (US) harnesses the bench strength of a global network spanning the Americas, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, to advise on the management, prosecution and enforcement of the international portfolios of household names such as Dannon, Dr. Seuss, and Papa John’s, across sectors ranging from food, hospitality, and e-commerce to retail, tech and fitness. The team is headed by tech sector expert Sean Cunningham in San Diego, Gina Durham in San Francisco applies expertise to prosecution, clearance, and brand management matters. IP authority Ann Ford in Washington DC specializes in the restructuring of intellectual property assets for tax planning and developing joint venture arrangements to support co-branding efforts. In Chicago, Keith Medansky brings deep experience to the practice area. Other key figures include seasoned portfolio manager Thomas Zutic in DC, and Michael Geller in Chicago, who was promoted in April 2022 and handles Web3 filings. Kevin Fee in DC joined the firm from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in May 2022.

Backed by the bench strength of a global network spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region, the practice at DLA Piper LLP (US) provides comprehensive management and enforcement services and safeguards the copyrights of such household names as Nike and The Home Depot through high-stakes litigation. The team is headed by Sean Cunningham in San Diego, Gina Durham in San Francisco, a specialist in rights creation, clearance, and prosecution, and Tamar Duvdevani in New York, a seasoned litigator who counsels clients in the fashion and consumer goods sectors. The group was bolstered by the arrival from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP of partner Kevin Fee, who brings expertise to complex matters involving combined elements of copyright, administrative, and constitutional law, in May 2022 and senior associate Rachel Fertig, who advises clients across the art, music, tech, and media sectors, in September 2022.

The patent prosecution offering at DLA Piper LLP (US) is led by Boston-based patent prosecution national chair Larissa Bifano , described as ‘incredibly business-minded’; San Diego-based co-practice group leader Sean Cunningham ; and deputy practice group leader Gina Durham , who is based in San Francisco. The team has undergone significant change in 2022 since the arrival to the Philadelphia office of three specialized IP partners from Troutman Pepper in early 2022: health sciences specialist Raymond Miller; patent expert Joseph Helmsen, and N Nicole Endejann, who is adept in patent prosecution. Additionally, patent due diligence partner Melissa Harwood joined the Seattle team from Polsinelli PC in April 2022. Associate Joseph Wolfe, who assists on many of the team’s most complex matters, is a name to note.