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’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'DLA's ITC group is one of few in the market that can staff a very large case with partners and senior lawyers that have significant ITC experience and ability. DLA also has an excellent patent litigation team to handle pure patent issues, making them a top choice in the market.'
- 'I am very familiar with Daniel Valencia's and Helena Kiepura's work and experience. Both are excellent ITC litigators. Mark Fowler is an excellent litigator, as is Paul Steadman.'
- 'DLA Piper's ITC team is filled with experienced professionals who are well-versed in the ITC procedural nuances.'
- 'Paulina Starostka, an associate at DLA Piper, is an exceptional attorney and I cannot speak highly enough of her. Paulina's attention to detail is unparalleled, and her work ethic is unmatched. Furthermore, her deep understanding of Section 337 investigations is second to none.'
- 'Erin McLaughlin has deep ITC knowledge and experience and I consider her a top subject matter expert in this venue.'
Key clients
- Lenovo Group Ltd., Lenovo (United States) Inc.
- NXP Semiconductors N.V. and NXP USA Inc.
- HP Inc.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Microsoft Corporation
- Motorola Mobility, LLC
- Dell, Inc.
- Honeywell International, Inc.
- FirePro Systems Limited
- Mazda Motor Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented Lenovo in a first-of-its-kind patent enforcement action in the ITC and Northern District of California against Lenovo competitors ASUSTek Computer Inc. and ASUS Computer International.
- Successfully defended FirePro Systems, Ltd.; Halma Holdings LLC; and Halma PLC (collectively, FirePro) against an ITC action seeking to exclude from the United States FirePro’s lifesaving aerosol fire extinguishing devices and the fire extinguishing compositions within them.
- Won a walk-away defense victory for NXP Semiconductors in an ITC case filed by Bell Northern Research (BNR) seeking to exclude NXP’s Wi-Fi chips from the United States.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Erin P. Gibson; Sean C. Cunningham; Gina Durham; Matthew Satchwell; Helena Kiepura
Other key lawyers
Daniel Valencia; Mark Fowler; Paul Steadman; Erin McLaughlin; Paulina Starkostka