Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is well-versed in handling high-stakes patent disputes, with first-chair experience before federal and district courts, as well as the PTAB. The practice’s core client base lies within the media and telecoms sectors, such as TikTok, Netflix and Hulu. Co-chairing the team is Daniel Yannuzzi, based in Del Mar, and Steven Schortgen in Dallas. Schortgen has extensive experience as lead trial counsel for patent litigation. Other key practitioners in Del Mar include Martin Beldar, who is sought after by tech companies for high-stakes cases, and Stephen Korniczky, who has recently focused on standard essential patent (SEP) litigation
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Testimonials
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- 2025:
- Adding to rankings at tier five. Impressive detailed submission. Like last year, good client list – Netflix, Hulu – a couple new. Lost 2 partners to Dickinson Wright, and gained 3 partners from unranked firms. Most impressive work was winning a jury verdict in May – semiconductors - a competitor case. Representing TikTok and Snap – invalidating patents, at the PTAB. Defending Hulu and Netflix against NPEs. Although the Netflix case they were co-counsel to tier ones and twos – not leading. But Going up against Alston & Bird and Quinn Emanuel. Won an appeal for client against Go Pro – Quinn Emanuel was opposing counsel - very impressive. Settling cases and achieving early dismissals, competitor law suits. Enough for tier five. team very active - and a big team.
Key clients
- TikTok Inc., TikTok PTE LTD, Bytedance Ltd., and Bytedance Ltd.
- Qorvo, Inc.
- Snap, Inc.
- Cadence Design Systems
- Hulu, LLC
- Netflix, Inc.
- Blippar
- Oracle Corporation and Oracle America, Inc.
- Jam City
- Continental Automotive Systems
Work highlights
- Achieved a very significant victory this year for Bytedance and TikTok.
- Won a patent case against Playvuu, Inc., with the court dismissing the case for lack of patentable subject matter and the PTAB instituting inter partes review, finding the patent claims likely invalid.
- Won a $38.6 million jury verdict against Akoustis, Inc. and Akoustis Technologies Inc. for patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation related to BAW filters.
Lawyers
Practice head
Daniel Yannuzzi; Steven Schortgen
Other key lawyers
Martin Beldar; Stephen Korniczky