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

DLA Piper LLP (US)’s practice is renowned for defending technology, semiconductor and medical device companies in high-stakes, multi-patent litigation. The team’s stellar client roster includes several of the market-leading global technology giants, including Toyota, Panasonic and Sony. In Washington DC, Sean Cunningham is sought after for his expertise in handling technology patents in all major trial venues, spanning both federal courts and the ITC. Cunningham co-leads the department with three patent trial specialists: Kathryn Riley Grasso, in San Diego, who has significant experience trying medical device and technology patent disputes; Chicago-based Matthew Satchwell, a specialist in semiconductors, automotive and communications patents; and Gina Durham, based in San Francisco. In Washington DC, Erin P. Gibson is another key asset to the team and is well-regarded for her success in jury trials. Finally, in Palo Alto, Mark Fowler is a seasoned litigator who typically represents international technology companies.

DLA Piper LLP (US) maintains its reputation as ‘a top choice in the market’, with strong technical and procedural experience with Section 337 actions. With a particular strength in tech, the team recently achieved walk-away defense victories for both NCP Semiconductors and FirePro. Seasoned ITC litigator Erin P. Gibson co-heads the team and is a go-to choice for global tech companies. With great experience at the ITC, fellow co-head Sean Cunningham is a key attorney for technology, medical device and power equipment companies. Helena Kiepura also co-chairs the team and is renowned for her offensive ITC work. The team’s leadership is rounded out by Matthew Satchwell, based in Chicago, and Gina Durham, who practices in San Francisco. In Silicon Valley, Mark Fowler is lead trial counsel for significant technology and medical device companies, such as Samsung and Toshiba. Daniel Valencia further bolsters the team, with clients describing him as an ‘excellent ITC litigator’.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s advertising litigation group unites the firm’s knowledge in trade mark, copyright and media to advise multinational clients on litigation involving consumer products and retail. The team focuses on false advertising and regulatory issues, Lanham Act cases, trade mark and patent litigation. It is particularly well-versed in cross-border IP disputes and IP issues involving the federal government. Tamar Duvdevani leads the team from New York alongside Gina Durham and centers her practice on false litigation advertising cases and right-of-publicity issues in front of federal courts. Melissa Reinckens resides in San Diego and is well-versed on false advertising, trade mark, trade dress and trade secret disputes. Kevin Fee sits in Washington DC and is the go-to for false advertising cases before trial and appellate courts.

Regarded for its ability to provide ‘creative solutions’ and their ‘in-depth knowledge’, DLA Piper LLP (US) operates for a panoply of clients in relation to opposition and cancellation proceedings, right of publicity disputes and trademark issues arising from emerging technologies. Leading from the firm’s New York office, Tamar Duvdevani routinely represents clients before the Second Circuit and district courts, covering a diverse host of trademarks, trade dress and digital media issues. San Francisco’s Gina Durham demonstrates prowess handling matters on a global scale, particularly in relation to emerging tech, while San Diego’s Melissa Reinckens is notably capable in the false advertising sphere. Kevin Fee, who is based in the firm’s Washington DC office, is regularly entrusted by financial institutions, retailers and consumer products manufacturers.

The trademark, copyright and media group at DLA Piper LLP (US) utilizes its bench lawyers to advise on high-profile copyright claims involving household names in media, entertainment and tech. Their worldwide platform enables the firms expertise to coordinate copyright defense and enforcement activities globally. San Francisco partner Gina Durham leads the firm as a trial lawyer, representing tech clients in high-profile copyright disputes regarding emerging technologies. In New York, Tamar Duvdevani acts as US Chair of the firms copyright practice, bringing her expertise as a trial attorney to disputes involving trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, rights of publicity, false advertising, and digital media issues. Kevin Fee, based in Washington, specializes in high-stakes copyright and trademark litigation, while Rachel Fertig applies her experience in the media industry and US Copyright Office to work on generative AI cases.

Counting names such as Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Hyatt Hotels Corporation among its key client roster, DLA Piper LLP (US) is highly experienced in relation to global portfolio management, licensing and anti-counterfeiting matters. Tamar Duvdevani steers the practice from New York, while in Chicago, Keith Medansky frequently handles matters pertaining to trademark prosecution, licensing and strategy development and is a strong choice for representing educational institutions. Also in Chicago is Michael Geller, who possesses extensive experience in advising multinational brands and international celebrities, with Gina Durham contributing her knowledge of trademark issues arising from the tech, media and retail sectors. San Francisco’s Heather Dunn handles a diverse multitude of brand development, protection and enforcement. Over in Washington DC, Sigrid Neilson draws upon her media and entertainment experience to handle digital music licensing and portfolio management for sizeable brands.

The practice at DLA Piper LLP (US) is ‘exceptionally business-minded’ and is well equipped to represent its well-known, sector-spanning clients in trade secret litigation. The team is helmed by a host of practitioners, namely experienced trial attorneys Paul Steadman and Matthew Satchwell who both work in Chicago; commercial disputes practitioners Leon Medzhibovsky and Tamar Duvdevani who are based in the New York hub, Washington DC-based Sean Cunningham and San Francisco-based Gina Durham. Former co-head Rajiv Dharnidharka left the team in September 2024 along with Jeanette Barzelay.

Noted for its ‘deep understanding’ of clients’, DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s sector experience ranges from molecular biology and physics, to electrical engineering and AI. Heading the team are San Diego-based Sean Cunningham, San Francisco-based Gina Durham, and Boston-based Larissa Bifano, who has expertise handling the full scope of patent matters, from advising on diligence and strategic aspects, to prosecuting and litigating. Christopher Eide in Palo Alto is experienced in handling patent prosecution in both domestic and global contexts. Patent protection and handling transactional IP are specialist areas for San Diego-based Lisa Haile, and Peter Yim has notable post-grant proceedings expertise. In San Francisco, Brian Ho is also a key attorney, while in Philadelphia, Joseph Wolfe has a specialty in AI-related cases.