The firm has extensive experience advising telecommunications clients on intellectual property issues. We have prepared and prosecuted patent applications covering telecommunications systems and equipment, switches and routers for networking, asynchronous transfer mode communications, Ethernet, industrial protocols, and wireless communications. Our regulatory group assists clients with Federal Communications Commissions regulations.

We have particular experience representing telecommunications companies in patent and other complex business litigation. Our courtroom victories for telecommunications companies include:

Bell Communications Research, Inc. v. Fore Systems, Inc. (D. Del. 2000)

Lead counsel for defendant Fore (a division of GEC) in two patent infringement cases against Bellcore. Patents relate to ATM and internet networking technology. Defense judgment. Chosen by The National Law Journal as one of the most significant defense judgments of 2000.

Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. v. Covad Communications, Inc. (ED Va. 2000)

Won summary judgment for Covad in patent infringement case. Specific technology was digital subscriber line systems including ADSL and SDSL linecards, Carrierless Amplitude Phase Modulation, Discrete Multi-Tone Modulation, and related DSLAM systems.

Datapoint v. Adaptec (ED NY 1997)

Currently representing Adaptec in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in an action charging Adaptec with infringing Datapoint's patents relating to ethernet routing structures and data packet systems. The district court judge granted summary judgment holding all Adaptec products not infringing. The case is on appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

DSC Communications v. Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc. (ED Tex. 1999)

Patent infringement/trade secrets case against competitor that induced chief technology officer in DSC’s access division to take a similar role for AFC. Technology involved next generation digital loop carriers and multiservice platform technology. Specific technology involved concentration, grooming, and transmission of dissimilar telephony signals including narrowband, ATM, broadband, and mixed format signals. Case settled with business arrangement.

CIENA Corp. v. Jerrard (D.Md. 1999)

Obtained TRO, preliminary injunction against former sales director for CIENA that joined Sycamore Networks in violation of covenant not to compete. Technology relates to dense wave division multiplexed transmission equipment. Injunctions issued, case still pending.

CIENA Corp. v. Daly (D.Md. 1999)

Obtained TRO, preliminary injunction against former CIENA employee that joined Optical Networks, Inc. in violation of covenant not to compete. Technology relates to metro SONET networks and switching elements. Injunctions issued, case still pending.

Alcatel v. Monterey Networks, Inc. (Dallas Co., Texas 1999)

Prosecuting inevitable disclosure claims against group of former Alcatel employees engaged in optical switch development for Monterey. Specific technology involves large capacity optical switch matrix and supporting subsystems. Case pending.

Alcatel v. Chiaro, Ltd. (E.D. Tex. 1999)

Prosecuting theft of trade secrets/inevitable disclosure/misappropriation of corporate opportunity claims against group of former Alcatel employees now part of Chiaro. Technology relates to rare element optical switching components. Case pending.

Media DNA v. Microsoft Corporation

Lead counsel for defendant Microsoft in a patent infringement case relating to digital rights management software. Media DNA dismissed the lawsuit.

Intel (Level One Communications, Inc.) v. Altima (E.D.Cal. 1999)

Prosecuting patent infringement action involving integrated repeaters. Technology is used to integrate dissimilar networks. Case pending.

Power Integrations, Inc. v. Motorola, Inc. (D. Del. 1999)

Represented Power Integrations, Inc. as lead trial counsel in a five patent case relating to various aspects of chips used in high-voltage AC-to-DC power conversion. Jury found willful infringement and awarded Power Integrations $32.3 million in damages. Chosen by The National Law Journal as one of the largest verdict in a patent infringement case in 1999.

Harris Corporation v. Siemens AG (ED Va. 1998)

Represented Siemens AG in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in a patent infringement action with the Harris Corporation involving 30 telephone switching and semiconductor patents. Numerous summary judgment motions were filed and the Court issued invalidity and non-infringement summary judgment rulings favorable to Siemens. Subsequently, the case settled favorably.

DSC Communications Corp. v. Reliance Technology Communications (Reltec), (Collin Co. Tex. 1998)

Obtained trade secrets and inevitable disclosure temporary injunction against group of former DSC employees. Technology involved rural class digital loop carriers. Case settled after injunction issued.

DSC Communications v. Conley (Collin Co. Tex. 1998)

Obtained inevitable disclosure injunction against former sales representative to national long distance account. Technology related to tandem switches and SS7 equipment. Case settled after issuance of injunction.

DSC Communications v. Shivers (D.Md. 1997)

Obtained TRO and preliminary injunctions against hacker organization that attempted to breach password protected telecommunication network elements.

DSC Communications v. DGI Communications, Inc. (ND Tex. 1997)

Trade secrets case against competitor that induced DSC customers to disclose technology in breach of secrecy agreements involving Class IV tandem switch technology. Participated in jury trial and post-trial motions resulting in multi-million dollar judgment for DSC and developmental injunction.

Integrated Network Corporation v. Conklin Instruments (ED NY)

Represented Conklin Instruments in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The patentee, Integrated Network Corporation, charged Conklin with infringing two patents involving electronic circuits used by the Regional Bell Operating Companies for carrying data transmissions through the telephone system. Both parties charged the other with tortious interference with business and unfair competition. Case successfully settled.

DSC Communications v. Pulse Communications, Inc. (ED Va. 1997)

Copyright and Patent infringement action and counterclaims against manufacturer of knock off linecards for next generation digital loop carrier equipment. Both sides affirmative claims dismissed by trial court. Successfully appealed judgment to Federal Circuit.

DSC Communications v. Advanced Fibre Communications (ED Tex. 1996)

Trade secrets/theft of concept case against former DSC employees and consultants involving small line size digital loop carrier technology. Case settled favorably after presentation of plaintiff’s case in chief during jury trial.

DSC Communications v. Next Level Communications (ND Tex. 1995)

Trade secrets/breach of fiduciary duty case against former DSC officers involving fiber optic based broadband delivery systems and next generation digital loop carrier systems. Filed case and defined trade secrets. Resulted in 145 million dollar judgment for DSC. (Cordell, McKeon)

Level One Communications, Inc. v. SEEQ Tech. Inc. (ND Cal. 1995)

Represented Level One in a patent infringement suit against SEEQ Technology. The patents related to Ethernet LAN transceivers. Case settled.

Centigram Communications Corporation v. VMX (ND Cal. 1994)

Represented Centigram Communications Corporation in patent infringement/tort/antitrust litigation against VMX.

Collins Licensing v. A T & T (ED Tex)

Successfully defended AT&T against a patent infringement claim for $1.5 billion in damages and a permanent injunction. Collins Licensing brought suit in the U.S. District Court in Midland, Texas, and charged AT&T’s 5ESS® Telephone Switch with infringing a patent relating to modular telephone circuits. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the jury verdict of noninfringement and reversed the jury verdict of infringement holding the claim to be invalid. The case is one of the very few times the Federal Circuit has reversed a jury verdict of validity and held a patent claim invalid (over prior art considered by the PTO).

Telecommunications Attorneys

Bing Ai
Peking University (Beijing, China) B.S. Physics 1985
University of Southern California Ph.D. Physics 1995
University of San Diego J.D. 2002

Justin M. Barnes
Harvey Mudd College B.S. Engineering 1998 with honors, Tau Beta Pi
UCLA School of Law J.D. 2001

Barbara A. Benoit
College of William and Mary B.A. 1982
George Mason University, School of Information Technology and Engineering M.S. Systems Engineering 1991
George Mason University, School of Information Technology and Engineering Ph.D. Information Technology 1993
George Washington University Law School J.D. 1999 with high honors Order of the Coif
Associate, George Washington Law Review

William R. Borchers
The University of Texas at Austin B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1990 cum laude, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Tau
The University of Virginia J.D. 1998
Managing Editor, Virginia Journal of Technology

Samuel Borodach  
Brown University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1987 
Columbia University School of Engineering M.S. Electrical Engineering 1989 
Columbia University School of Law J.D. 1993 
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar 1991-1993

Christopher C. Bowley
University of Cape Town B.Sc. Physics 1994 with honors
Brown University M.S. Physics 1996
Brown University Ph.D. Physics 1999
Suffolk University Law School J.D. 2006

Tim K. Brown
Brigham Young University B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1996
University of Washington M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2000
Baylor University School of Law J.D. 2004 cum laude
Executive Editor, Baylor Law Review

Desa L. Burton
United States Naval Academy B.S. 1994
Florida International University M.B.A. 2001
University of Pennsylvania Law School J.D. 2004
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of International Economic Law

Steven C. Carlson
Reed College B.A. Chemistry 1993 Phi Beta Kappa
Yale Law School J.D. 1999
Editor, Yale Law Journal

Joseph V. Colaianni
The University of Maryland B.S. Electrical Engineering 1991 cum laude, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu
The George Washington University National Law Center J.D. 1996 with honors

David B. Conrad
University of Texas at Austin B.S. Electrical Engineering 2001
University of Texas School of Law J.D. 2007 with honors
Associate Editor, The Review of Litigation

Ruffin B. Cordell
Louisiana State University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1985 Tau Beta Pi
Georgetown University Law Center J.D. 1989 magna cum laude, Order of the Coif

Michael E. Cox
University of New Mexico B.S. Physics and Mathematics 1996 magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Rice University M.S. Applied Physics 2000
University of Texas School of Law J.D. 2003

Sean P. Daley
University of Massachusetts B.S. Chemistry 1989 summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ph.D. Physical Chemistry 1994
Suffolk University Law School J.D. 1999 cum laude

Lauren A. Degnan
Cornell University B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1992
Vanderbilt University School of Law J.D. 1995 Order of the Coif
Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Roberto J. Devoto
University of Michigan B.S. Electrical Engineering 1993 summa cum laude
Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.S. Electrical Engineering 1996
Harvard Law School J.D. 1999 cum laude

John A. Dragseth
University of Minnesota B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1992 summa cum laude, Tau Beta Pi
University of Minnesota Law School J.D. 1996 magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
Managing Editor, Minnesota Law Review

Tonya Drake
Purdue University B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering 2001 with Honors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2003
Boston University School of Law J.D. 2007 cum laude

David L. Feigenbaum
Yale College B.S. Engineering and Applied Sciences 1969 magna cum laude, honors with exceptional distinction in major, Tau Beta Pi
Harvard Law School J.D. 1972

Andrew T. Foy
Furman University B.A. History 2000 summa cum laude
Georgia Institute of Technology B.S. Electrical Engineering 2002
University of Virginia School of Law J.D. 2005
Managing Board, The Journal of Law & Politics

David Francescani
University of Notre Dame B.S. Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering 1964
University of Notre Dame Law School L.L.B. 1967
George Washington University Law School 1968 coursework in Masters of Patent Law program
New York University Law School 1969-1971 coursework in Masters of Law program

Greg H. Gardella
University of Michigan J.D. 1995 cum laude
University of Minnesota M.S. Electrical Engineering (Thesis: Hybrid Analog/Digital Telephony System for Echo Cancellation)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor B.S. Mechanical Engineering magna cum laude

David A. Gerasimow
University of Wisconsin B.S. Computer Science, Mathematics, and History 2005
University of Iowa College of Law J.D. 2008 with High Distinction, Order of the Coif
Note & Comment Editor, Journal of Corporation Law

Christopher O. Green
Georgia Institute of Technology B.E.E. Electrical Engineering 1994
Vanderbilt University M.B.A. 1996
Wake Forest University School of Law J.D. 2000

Kevin E. Greene
Slippery Rock University B.A. Physics 1998
The Pennsylvania State University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1998
George Mason University School of Law J.D. 2004
Federal Circuit Bar Journal

Sean J. Grygiel
United States Coast Guard Academy B.S. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 1994
The George Washington University Law School J.D. 2001
Member, Public Contract Law Journal

Michael T. Hawkins
University of Minnesota B.S. Mechanical Engineering 2000 with high distinction
University of Minnesota Law School J.D. 2004 magna cum laude
Managing Editor, Minnesota Law Review

John F. Hayden
University of Cincinnati B.S. Electrical Engineering 1989 summa cum laude
Harvard Law School J.D. 1992 cum laude

Michael Headley
Stanford University B.A. 1998
University of California, Hastings College of Law J.D. 2002

John M. Helms
Dartmouth College B.A. English 1987 cum laude
University of Texas School of Law J.D. 1990 with high honors, Order of the Coif, Chancellors
Texas Law Review, Book Review Editor (1989-90)

Robert E. Hillman

Lori S. Hoberman
Queens College B.A. 1986 cum laude
New York University School of Law J.D. 1989
New York University School of Law LL.M. in Taxation 1991

Richard Allan Horning
University of California, Berkeley B.A. 1966
Duke University School of Law J.D. 1969

Kelly C. Hunsaker
University of Texas at Austin B.B.A. 1990
University of California, Hastings College of Law J.D. 1993

William E. Hunter
University of California, San Diego B.S. Computer Science 1995
University of California, Hastings College of the Law J.D. 1999 cum laude

Frank A. Italiano
University of Maryland B.S. Electrical Engineering
George Washington University Law School J.D. 2005

Kraig A. Jakobsen
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology B.S. Electrical Engineering 1999 magna cum laude
Northwestern University School of Law J.D. 2005 cum laude
Managing Editor, Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property

John T. Johnson
Union College B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1989
Albany Law School of Union University J.D. 1993 cum laude
Managing Editor of Research and Writing, Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology

Steven R. Katz
University of Pennsylvania B.S. Electrical Engineering 1988 magna cum laude
Johns Hopkins University M.S. Electrical Engineering 1992
Columbia Law School J.D. 1995 Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar

Eric Jeffrey Keller
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign B.S. Electrical Engineering 1999 Highest Honors. Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi
Stanford University M.S. Electrical Engineering 2001
Stanford Law School J.D. 2007
Stanford Technology Law Review

Daniel A. Kent
Grace College B.S. Communications 1986 magna cum laude
Duke University School of Law J.D. 1990 Semifinalist, Craven Cup National Moot Court Competition, Am. Jur. Book Award: Trial Practice
Editorial Board, Duke Law Journal

Adam Kessel
Princeton University B.A. Chemistry 1998
Northeastern University School of Law J.D. 2004

Mark D. Kirkland  
University of Notre Dame B.S. Electrical Engineering 1984 
Santa Clara University School of Law J.D. 1994 

Cheng (Jack) Ko
Trinity University B.S. Engineering Science summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
University of California, Santa Barbara M.S. and Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering
The University of Michigan Law School J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif

Andrew R. Kopsidas
University of Maryland B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1992
The George Washington University School of Law J.D. 1999 with Honors

Linda Liu Kordziel
Duke University B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering 1990 magna cum laude, Tau Beta Pi
Duke University School of Law J.D. 1993

Edwin N. Lavergne
Ithaca College B.S. 1976
Ithaca College M.S. 1977
Georgetown University Law Center J.D. 1980

Katherine Kelly Lutton
Binghamton University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1990
Syracuse University M.S. Electrical Engineering 1992
University of Pennsylvania Law School J.D. 1996
Editor-in-Chief, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, 1995-1996

Terry G. Mahn
University of Michigan B.S. Science Engineering 1970
Catholic University J.D. 1975

Denis G. Maloney
Manhattan College B.E. Electrical Engineering 1974 cum laude, Eta Kappa Nu
New York Law School J.D. 1979

Lisa M. Martens
Cornell College B.A. Politics and Philosophy 1990 magna cum laude
DePaul University College of Law J.D. 1994 Order of the Coif

Neil J. McNabnay
University of Michigan B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1994 summa cum laude
University of Michigan J.D. 1997 cum laude
Executive Editor, Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review

Todd G. Miller
San Diego State University B.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry 1987
University of San Diego School of Law J.D. 1992 cum laude

Jay S. Newman
Brandeis University B.A. 1987 magna cum laude
University of Pennsylvania Law School J.D. 1990

Spencer C. Patterson
University of Texas at Austin B.S. Electrical Engineering 1993
The George Washington University Law School J.D. 1996 with honors
Articles Editor, The George Washington Law Review

Scott A. Penner
Harvard University A.B. Computer Science 2001 magna cum laude
University of California, Hastings College of Law J.D. 2007 magna cum laude
Editor in Chief, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly
Editor, Hastings Business & Law Journal

John C. Phillips
University of Michigan B.S. Electrical Engineering 1984 cum laude
George Washington University J.D. 1992 valedictorian Order of the Coif

Joshua Pond
Stanford University B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.A. Political Science 1994
Georgetown University Law Center J.D. 2004 cum laude

W. Karl Renner
University of Maryland B.S. Electrical Engineering 1992
The George Washington University National Law Center J.D. 1998

Timothy W. Riffe
Virginia Tech B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1993
The George Washington University Law School J.D. 2001 with honors
The American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal

Mathias W. Samuel
North Dakota State University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1991 Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu
University of San Diego School of Law J.D. 1994 with honors, Order of the Coif

Stephen R. Schaefer
University of Kentucky B.S. Electrical Engineering 1985 with distinction, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu
University of Dayton M.S. Engineering Management 1995
University of Minnesota Law School J.D. 1992 cum laude
Law Review Board of Editors

Frank E. Scherkenbach
Stanford University B.S. Mechanical Engineering and A.B. Classics 1986 with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi
Harvard Law School J.D. 1989
Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief Harvard Journal of Law & Technology

Jan-Malte Schley
University of Karlsruhe (TH) Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering and Information Technology 2002
University of Federal Armed Forces Dr.-Ing. 2005 magna cum laude

John P. Schnurer
Harvey Mudd College B.S. Electrical Engineering with Minor in Economics 1993
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law J.D. 1996
Articles Editor, Berkeley Technology Law Journal (1995-1996)

Nagendra (Nick) Setty
Emory University B.S. Biology 1987
Emory University School of Law J.D. 1992 Douglas Peabody Award for Best Oralist in Moot Court

Alan D. Smith
Massachusetts Institute of Technology B.S. Electrical Engineering 1979
University of Southern California J.D. 1984

Terry J. Stalford
University of Oklahoma B.S. Engineering 1986
University of Georgia School of Law J.D. 1993 magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
Editor, Journal of Intellectual Property Law

Richard A. Sterba
Westminster College B.S. Physics and Mathematics 1995 magna cum laude
The George Washington University Law School J.D. 1998

Joseph Taylor
James Madison University B.A. Communication Studies, Minor in Criminal Justice 2003
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law J.D. 2007

Robert J. Ungar  
St. John's College B.A. 1964 
Georgetown University Law Center J.D. 1967 

Brian Wacter
University of Miami B.S. Computer Science 1990
Saint Mary's University M.S. Computer Information Systems 1997
UCLA School of Law J.D. 2002

Marc M. Wefers
University of Toronto B.S. Chemical Physics 1991 highest distinction
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ph.D. Physical Chemistry 1996
Suffolk University Law School J.D. 2002 magna cum laude

Kevin Wheeler
University of Maryland B.S. Electrical Engineering 2004 University Honors
The George Washington University Law School J.D. 2008

Jason W. Wolff
Gonzaga University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1994
Santa Clara University School of Law J.D. 2000
Institute of International and Comparative Law, Munich Program, Santa Clara University 2000

William R. Woodford
Marquette University B.S. Electrical Engineering 1998 cum laude
University of Minnesota Law School J.D. 2002 cum laude

Telecommunications Technology Specialists

Elliott J. Mason, III
Massachusetts Institute of Technology S.B. Electrical Science and Engineering 1995, Eta Kappa Nu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.Eng. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 1996
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ph.D. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2002

Garrett Miedema
University of Minnesota Institute of Technology B.S. Astrophysics with a minor in Mathematics 1997

Chen Qian
Tsinghua University B.S. Computer Science and Technology 1995
Chinese Academy of Sciences M.S. candidate 1995-1997
Lehigh University M.S. Computer Engineering 1998
Lehigh University Ph.D. candidate 1999

Indranil Sarkar
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 2007
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York M.S. Electrical Engineering 2004
Visveswaraiah Technological University B.E., Electronics and Communication Engineering 2002

Sushil Shrinivasan
University of Madras (Chennai, India) B.E. Mechanical Engineering 1998
University of Maryland, Baltimore County M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2001
University of Virginia Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering 2006
George Washington University Law School (J.D. expected 2012)

Dan Vacar
Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Romania B.S. Physics 1990
University of Miami, Florida M.S. Physics 1993
University of California at Santa Barbara Ph.D. Physics 1997