Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.

Intellectual Property/ Commercial Litigation

A leading force in Delaware’s IP bar, Fred Cottrell has “phenomenal knowledge of the judges and courts” (Chambers USA).

Fred regularly handles significant IP litigation before the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and in Delaware’s state courts.  Clients cite his “incredibly deep knowledge,” calling him a “standout trial attorney” (Chambers USA).  Fred’s practice also includes several other areas of litigation, including antitrust, products liability, and commercial law.

Acclaimed as “an outstanding litigator” (Chambers USA, 2025), Fred has represented such industry giants as:

• Google
• Micron Technology
• Advanced Micro Devices
• Apple
• 10x Genomics
• Universal Robots
• Gilead
• L’Oréal

A prominent figure in Delaware District Court practice, Fred participated in a recent panel on IP practice with several judges handling such cases.  He is past chair of the Complex Commercial Litigation Division Advisory Committee for the Delaware Superior Court and past co-chair of the Delaware District Court’s IP Advisory Committee.

Fred has spoken at numerous seminars in his fields of practice, including at the Federal Circuit Bar Association on the use of injunctions in patent cases and at the ABA spring meeting on judicially assisted ADR.  He has also been a frequent speaker on Delaware District Court practice.

Select Experience

Represented Micron Technology in patent litigation cases in Delaware Represented Advanced Micro Devices in the AMD v. Intel antitrust litigation Represented Occidental Chemical Corporation in products liability cases in Delaware Represented Under Armour in trademark litigation in Delaware Represented Gilead in patent infringement litigation against the United States

Publications

Litigating Intellectual Property Rights Created in Response to COVID-19—Bar Journal | May 2020

As companies race to develop vaccines, medical products, and other treatments to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, these advances will likely engender litigation related to the protection of intellectual property rights. Given the District of Delaware’s national prominence as a preeminent patent litigation venue, a sizeable portion of such litigation may proceed in a Delaware courtroom. A…

Product Liability Desk Reference, Daller, ed., Delaware chapter—2016

The Product Liability Desk Reference, 2016 Edition is a comprehensive resource that provides the most recent statutory and case law developments on product liability laws for each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia.…

Product Liability Desk Reference, Daller, ed., Delaware chapter—2016

The Product Liability Desk Reference, 2016 Edition is a comprehensive resource that provides the most recent statutory and case law developments on product liability laws for each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia.…

ANDA Litigation, Kenneth Dorsney, ed., Delaware chapter—2012

Doing Business in United States: Delaware—Practical Law Company | 2011

This Q&A from Practical Law Company gives an overview of Delaware’s unique legal system.

Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, Robert L. Haig, ed., Delaware chapter—2010

Doing Business in United States: Delaware—Practical Law Company | 2009

This Q&A from Practical Law Company gives an overview of the legal system; foreign investment, including restrictions, currency regulations and incentives; and business vehicles and their relevant restrictions and liabilities. The article also summarizes the laws regulating employment relationships, including redundancies and mass layoffs, and provides short overviews on competition law; data protection; and product liability and…

Product Liability Desk Reference, Daller, ed., Delaware chapter, 2013 ANDA Litigation, Kenneth Dorsney, ed., Delaware chapter, 2012 Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, Robert L. Haig, ed., Delaware chapter, 2010

Recognition

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow Chambers USA, Intellectual Property, Band 1 IAM Global Leaders, since 2019 IAM 250 – The World’s Leading Patent Litigators IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals The Best Lawyers in America, since 2006; Wilmington, DE Patent Law Lawyer of the Year, 2019, 2017 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 Super Lawyers, since 2009 Managing Intellectual Property, Patent Star Delaware Today Top Lawyer, Intellectual Property

Bar Admissions

Delaware United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Leadership

Complex Commercial Litigation Division Advisory Committee for the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, Chair Delaware District Court, Intellectual Property Law Advisory Committee, Past Co-Chair Delaware State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section, Past Chair University of Delaware, Presidential Selection Committee University of Delaware, Parents Fund Council, Past Co-Chair

Pro Bono Activities

Boy Scouts of America – Del-Mar-Va Council, Advisory Committee Selective Service System for Delaware, Board Member St. Edmond’s Academy, Corporate Board Member

Dickinson School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1988 University of Delaware, B.A., magna cum laude, Biological Sciences, 1985