Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP > Irvine, United States > Firm Profile

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP Offices

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
14TH FLOOR
IRVINE, CA 92614
CALIFORNIA
United States
Visit website 1 949 760 0404 1 714 760 9502

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 1

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP houses a patent prosecution team with impressive expertise across the remit of work which is highly regarded for its ‘in-depth expertise and global experience’. At the helm of the practice are medical device specialists Salima Merani who is noted by clients as being ‘simply wonderful’ and Sabing Lee who harnesses 25 years’ experience handling the array of patent-related matters; both work from the firm’s Orange County hub. Establishing, managing, protecting and expanding innovative product inventions and related patent portfolios of value in the hundreds of millions of dollars makes up a large part of the team’s workload. Its life sciences, medical devices, biotech, engineering and telecom expertise in particular sees that the team assists clients across industry sectors which range from start-ups to well-established brands. Harnik Shukla at the Irvine hub has a specialism in IPRs and complex prosecution cases, San Diego’s Jason Jardine is noted for his ‘profound strategy insight’ while Maria Stout at the same office ‘invariably has her client’s success at the forefront of her mind’. PTAB matters are also a key focus for the team, with Irvine-based Terry Tullis having particular expertise in such work, as is post-grant work which is the focus of Shannon Lam also based in Irvine. Lori Yamato has departed to AcuLex Law, APC and Jon Gurka has retired.

Practice head(s):

Salima Merani; Sabing Lee

Other key lawyers:

Maria Anderson; Jason Jardine; Harnik Shukla; Terry Tullis; Maria Stout; Shannon Lam; Jordan Gottdank; Michael Christensen; David Schmidt

Testimonials

‘In-depth expertise and global experience. Able to give a broad perspective on patent claims.’

‘Salima Merani is outstanding. She is simply wonderful. The best! She is extremely client-focused, tireless and is very talented in what she does.’

‘Salima is a strategic thinker who understands our business and risks. She is smart, business-minded, anticipates our needs, and is always solutions-focused. She approaches issues from a pragmatic perspective, and provides us with both business and legal advice.’

‘The knowledge in photonic computing is outstanding, the work done is in-depth and thorough.’

‘Knobbe Martens provides decisive advice not only laying out potential paths for IP protection but also suggesting practical actions that match client strategy. They are organized, and self-sufficient.’

‘Maria Stout invariably has her client’s success at forefront of her mind. She has found creative ways to push examiners to consider new ideas and interpretations to lead to favorable outcomes on patent applications. Jordan Gottdank has deep subject matter expertise.’

‘I couldn’t be more impressed by the engagement and assistance by this firm.’

‘This team engaged with open arms and offered guidance on the process and technical aspects of patenting.’

Key clients

Imperative Care

6K, Inc.

Evident Vascular

Cala Health, Inc.

Augmedics, Inc.

LimFlow SA

Insera Therapeutics

Colorescience, Inc.

Paragonix Technologies, Inc.

AVITA Medical, Inc

Work highlights

  • Represented Relievant Medsystems for over a decade and obtained over 100 patents and trademarks in multiple countries, including in its successful acquisition by Boston Scientific of $850m.
  • Represented advanced materials company 6K, Inc. for several years, managing an extensive and rapidly growing patent portfolio that includes over 100 pending applications and over 20 issued patents to-date.
  • Filed Evident Vascular’s foundational patent applications for novel ways to image the body.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 3

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP‘s team is noted for its expertise in patent licensing and transactions and covers the full spectrum of technologies, industry sectors and IP practice areas. The team is also equipped to handle contentious matters, with extensive experience in litigation and prosecution in connection with patent procurement. ‘Outstanding’ trademark portfolio management specialist Salima Merani and patent procurement expert Sabing Lee jointly lead the medical device group, while Jason Gersting is the chair of the IP and tech transaction group. In San Diego, Kimberly Miller delivers the full range of advice for all IP-related matters. Adam Gilbert retired and Lori Yamato departed the firm  in January 2023. Unless otherwise stated, all team members are based in Orange County.

Practice head(s):

Salima Merani; Sabing Lee; Jason Gersting

Other key lawyers:

Kimberly Miller; David Cohen; Jordan Gottdank; Kregg Koch; Sabrina Wang; Brandon Smith

Testimonials

‘Salima Merani and Jason Gersting are responsive and possess excellent knowledge.’

‘Salima Merani is outstanding, and she is simply wonderful and the best! She is extremely client-focused, tireless and is very talented in what she does. Salima is a strategic thinker who understands our business and risks. She is smar  and business-minded, anticipates our needs, and is always solution-focused. She approaches issues from a pragmatic perspective, and provide us with both business and legal advice.’

‘The team has decades of experience with licensing from academic institutions. The depth of their knowledge and the big picture strategy they think of is quite remarkable.’

‘Salima Merani is an outstanding attorney. She uses good judgment in licensing negotiations, is forceful in advocating for her clients, and finds ways around obstacles so that the agreement is a win-win.’

‘Expertise in technology and licensing requirements.’

‘Knowledge and performance is exceptional, also in high number deals and under time pressure.’

Key clients

Relievant Medsystems

Augmedics, Inc.

Paragonix Technologies, Inc.

Novonate, Inc.

AcuFocus, Inc.

LimFlow SA

AVITA Medical, Inc.

Masimo Corporation

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Evident Vascular

Cala Health, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advised Relievant Medsystems on its acquisition by Boston Scientific for $850m plus additional milestone payments.
  • Advised Paragonix Technologies, Inc. on securing $24m in Series B funding, led by Signet Healthcare Partners.
  • Assisted LimFlow SA with entering into a deal to be acquired by Inari Medical for $415m and advised on IP acquisition due diligence.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

With demonstrable capabilities cross federal and state trademark litigation, ‘business-savvy’ Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP maintains an active practice across pharma, computer software, fashion, and beverage sectors. Co-leads Lauren Keller Katzenellenbogen and Lynda Zadra-Symes are based in Orange County. Keller Katzenellenbogen bolsters the practice with her broad range of expertise, assisting clients in the computer software, medical devices, and consumer products industries, among others, while seasoned litigator Zadra-Symes draws on over 32 years of experience in handling proceedings in federal courts and the TTAB. Also based in Orange County is Ali Razai, whose strengths encompass issues arising in relation to mechanical and medical devices, optics, and biotech, and seasoned litigator Matthew Bellinger.  Other names to note include Los Angeles’ Brian Horne and Hans Mayer, who contribute their tech sector expertise to the practice.

Practice head(s):

Lauren Keller Katzenellenbogen; Lynda Zadra-Symes

Other key lawyers:

Ali Razai; Matthew Bellinger; Brian Horne; Hans Mayer

Testimonials

‘The firm’s lawyers are down to earth and easy to talk to/work with. It’s a delight.’

‘Knowledgeable and able to distill that knowledge down into layman’s terms.’

‘The firm takes a collaborative approach to case work which works well with our company culture. This extends to flexibility and innovation, including in processes and billing.’

‘KMOB has a strong stable of business-savvy lawyers.’

‘Lauren Keller has been a solid IP litigator for us. She provides practical advice that moves the ball forward.’

Key clients

Monster Energy Co.

Big Funny LLC

Jacuzzi Brands

Public Storage

Work highlights

  • Represented Monster Energy Co. in trademark litigation against BeastUp LLC concerning Monster’s Claw Icon mark.
  • Represented Big Funny LLC in defense of litigation brought by Metamorfoza, D.O.O. relating to Big Funny’s use of the name “Museum of Illusions” at its museums in Los Angeles and Miami.
  • Represented Public Storage in filing a lawsuit against Mini Public Storage to enforce and stop the use of its valuable PUBLIC STORAGE® trademark.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Counting Mattel, Olaplex and Oatly in its varied client roster, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP is routinely involved in matters relating to false advertising, data privacy, cryptocurrency and legal cannabis across consumer products, food, financial services and high tech industries. The practice is jointly steered by Susan Natland, who possesses deep experience in advising on all aspects of domestic and international brand protection, and Jeff Van Hoosear, who capitalizes on his vast experience to represent clients with an active presence in the apparel and sporting goods sectors in particular. Other key figures in the team include managing partner Steven Nataupsky and Los Angeles-based Jonathan Hyman, who maintains a strong practice in establishing trademark portfolios for the protection of company assets.

Practice head(s):

Susan Natland; Jeff Van Hoosear

Other key lawyers:

Steven Nataupsky; Jonathan Hyman; Jessica Sganga

Testimonials

‘Knobbe Martens is an outstanding firm. I have been impressed by the high level of professionalism and attention to my company’s needs. Every attorney is thoughtful, strategic and focused on results.‘

Key clients

Public Storage/Shurgard Self-Storage (EU)

Mattel

Trove Brands d/b/a Blender Bottle

Cutera, Inc.

Hawaiian Host LLC

Rivian Automotive

Olaplex

Acorns Grow, Inc.

lulumemon athletica canada

Oatly, Inc.

Jelly Belly Candy Company

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Inc.

Verocyte

88Rising, Inc

Hopin Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Acting as lead outside trademark counsel to Public Storage in the U.S. and other parts of the world, and Shurgard self-storage in Europe.
  • Assists Mattel, Inc. in connection with brand protection work related to the BARBIE® trademark including the blockbuster BARBIE® movie.
  • Advising Hawaiian Host LLC on the complex intellectual property challenges it faced in wanting to renovate and streamline its trademark portfolio, expand its fast-growing e-commerce division across all its old and new brands, and continue the company’s commitments to Hawai’i culture and sustainability.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4

Led by seasoned trial lawyer Sheila Swaroop in Orange County, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP has a dedicated intellectual property practice handling patent infringement disputes for a broad range of clients, with particular expertise working for biotech, medical device, and pharma clients. Orange County lawyers Ali Razai and Joseph Re are skillful trial and appellate lawyers with particular experience in tech. The group also includes Seattle-based IP litigator and patent attorney Carol Pitzel Cruz and Jeremiah Helm in Washington DC, who is a pharma litigation expert. In Irvine, trial lawyer John Sganga is experienced in IP and tech disputes, and William Adams maintains close relationships with a roster of life sciences companies.

Practice head(s):

Sheila Swaroop

Other key lawyers:

Ali Razai; Joseph Re; Carol Pitzel Cruz; Jeremiah Helm; John Sganga; William Adams

Key clients

Amazon.com, Inc.

Spectrum Solutions, LLC

Masimo Corporation

Cercacor Laboratories

Edwards Lifesciences

Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technology Pvt. Ltd.

Cipla Ltd.

Spinal Elements, Inc.

Pavemetrics Systems, Inc.

RealTruck, Inc.

Lund Motion Products, Inc.

Institute for Cancer Research

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Represented Masimo Corporation and Cercacor Laboratories in a patent infringement suit against Apple regarding their Apple Watches, Series 6 and up.
  • Represented Amazon in ongoing district court proceedings in a patent infringement suit brought by Jawbone Innovations relating to nine of their patents.
  • Represented Spectrum Solutions LLC in inter partes review challenges of five separate patents owned by Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission)

Led by Sheila Swaroop in Orange Country and Jonathan Bachand in Washington DC, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP's intellectual property practice recently successfully represented Massimo Corporation and Cercacor Laboratories in a patent infringement suit against Apple.

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP > Firm Profile

Managing Partner: Steven J. Nataupsky

Languages: Arabic, Croatian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu

Firm Overview:

Knobbe Martens is a highly respected intellectual property law firm, offering legal services in all aspects of intellectual property and technology law. The firm’s litigation group handles cases throughout the U.S. and coordinates strategy for disputes worldwide. Founded in California in 1962, the firm has close to 300 lawyers and scientists based in offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. Recognized as a top-ranked firm by numerous IP and legal outlets, Knobbe Martens serves a diverse international client base, from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages.

Major areas of practice for the firm include:

  • Litigation: Our litigation successes are unparalleled—not only in the courtroom but also in the boardroom, where we succeed in achieving our clients’ strategic business goals. With more than half of the firm’s resources devoted to our litigation practice, we have the depth and experience to succeed in the most complex intellectual property cases. When the stakes are at their highest, we are at our best.
  • Patents: We provide complete patent services that help create and protect the inventions that shape our world. Our attorneys are unrivaled in the depth of their experience and technical expertise, providing strategic guidance and services that include patent counseling and prosecution, new product clearance and licensing, and counsel regarding patent enforcement and the avoidance of possible infringement issues.
  • Copyrights: Protecting and enforcing copyrights are cornerstones of our IP services. We have vast experience in this field, regularly assisting clients to secure global copyright privileges and ownership of copyright assets. We also counsel clients on enforcing copyrights and defending copyright claims in federal court litigation and appeals throughout the country and coordinate with foreign attorneys to enforce rights and defend claims internationally.
  • Trademarks: In an increasingly competitive world, establishing and maintaining a strong brand identity are more important than ever. We are recognized leaders in the field of trademark law, providing unmatched guidance to both start-ups and Fortune 100 firms. Our trademark attorneys have extensive experience in all facets of the law, providing strategic trademark, branding and protection counseling for major brands—both domestically and in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide.
  • Trade Secrets: Our team of litigators has won countless high-stakes trade secret cases, representing both owners of trade secrets and those accused of misappropriating the trade secrets of others. Our victories and positive results include jury verdicts, summary judgment decisions and negotiation of favorable settlements. We are also unmatched in the depth of our technical expertise. Instead of learning, we are acting, quickly devising strategies based on our thorough knowledge of complex technical matters.
  • USPTO Trials & Post-Grant Proceedings: The past several years have seen a dramatic increase in cases involving post-grant proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We are one of the few firms able to successfully handle both the range and complexity of such cases. Our team has extensive experience managing and resolving Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs), Covered Business Method patent reviews (CBMs), Post-Grant Reviews (PGRs), patent interferences, and derivation proceedings. Our USPTO-registered attorneys regularly develop strategies that help our clients either avoid these proceedings or utilize them to their advantage.
  • Licensing: Licensing can be an effective way to increase market share and generate new revenue streams, but it can also pose significant challenges. Our team has the experience and expertise to get the job done— providing a wide-range of technological, legal, strategic and business acumen. We routinely assist clients in a wide variety of transactions, including patent, copyright and trademark license agreements, joint venture agreements, strategic licensing programs and more.
  • International: Innovation is blind to borders and boundaries. That is why Knobbe Martens maintains a truly global presence, representing clients and their interests in nearly every country in the world, and helping them achieve their international market and strategic goals. We serve our domestic clients through a cohesive network of foreign lawyers and agents—teaming with them to quickly resolve matters in a particular country or region. Likewise, we serve our international clients throughout the U.S. to meet the full range of their U.S. intellectual property requirements.

Diversity and Inclusion

From our founding, Knobbe Martens has been committed to creating and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. It’s a commitment that has yielded real and meaningful results, and today the firm is recognized as among the most diverse mid-size law firms in the nation.

Within Knobbe Martens, we promote diversity through active outreach and recruitment, as well as through internal programs that ensure the needs and goals of all our diverse employees are recognized and valued. Efforts are led by the firm’s Diversity Committee, which includes a broad spectrum of attorneys reflective of our diverse workforce. The Committee is charged with furthering our mission of sustaining an environment where diversity is supported and central to the success of the firm.

More information about Knobbe Martens can be found at www.knobbe.com.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Steven J. Nataupsky steven.nataupsky@knobbe.com (949) 760-0404