Ms Katharine Burke > Baker Botts L.L.P. > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

The team at Baker Botts L.L.P. possess a ‘sophisticated understanding of what distinguishes an ITC investigation’ and is highly skilled at competitor disputes for clients across the electronic, tech and telecoms industries. Lisa Kattan, praised by clients as ‘a terrific resource and advocate’, frequently leads high-profile ITC investigations and is based in Washington DC. Kattan co-chairs the practice with Dallas-based Christa Brown-Sanford and New York-based Jennifer Tempesta, both experienced IP litigators trusted by multinational clients. Also in New York, Robert Maier is sought after for his expertise in semiconductors, smartphones and stem cells. Other key practitioners in Washington DC include Katharine Burke, an experienced ITC litigator for a wide range of technologies, and Tommy Martin, who focuses on complex patent and trade secret litigation. Robert Benson and Jeffrey Johnson joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in February 2024.

The offering at Baker Botts L.L.P. is well regarded for its abilities to assist its varied client roster in both contentious and non-contentious work, covering trade secret theft, and employment-related disputes in particular, including contract breaches. Dallas-based Christa Sanford co-runs the practice alongside IP and tech specialist David Wille at the same office, while other co-heads are New York-based Jennifer Tempesta, and Cheryl Cauley, who works from the Palo Alto office. Cauley and Wille also co-lead the firmwide trade secret group. Scott Nelson and Liz Flannery are key names to note at the firm’s Houston hub, while Katharine Burke stands out in the Washington DC office.

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s practice boasts a ‘deep bench of talented lawyers covering all aspects of IP litigation’ who are trusted counsel to leading technology companies like AT&T, Samsung and Mastercard. The team excels in cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and is led by four experienced attorneys. In Dallas, Christa Brown-Sanford specializes in electrical patent disputes, while Douglas Kubehl is adept at complex patent litigation in the telecommunications sector. In New York, Jennifer Tempesta regularly represents multinational companies and is particularly skilled in appellate proceedings. Katharine Burke, based in Washington DC, rounds out the team’s leadership, bringing expertise in patents related to electronics, telecommunications and medical devices. Robert Fulghum is a key contact in Houston for patent and trade secret disputes in federal and state courts. Additionally, New York’s Robert Maier can handle all phases of patent litigation. Robert Benson and Jeffrey Johnson joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in February 2024. Sarah Guske left the firm in October 2024.