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Fish & Richardson Welcomes Six Former Federal Circuit Clerks as New Associates
Fish & Richardson is pleased to welcome six former clerks from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to the firm as associates. This cohort of former clerks bring to Fish first-hand judicial insights, a deep understanding of the intricate rules of procedure, and a command of effective brief writing.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an impressive cohort of former Federal Circuit clerks to Fish’s litigation and appellate groups,” said Corrin Drakulich, global head of litigation. “They join 27 former Federal Circuit clerks who call Fish home, and their unique experiences and insights will be a strategic advantage for clients in litigation and as they navigate the appellate process.”
During their clerkships, each associate benefited from direct mentorship from circuit judges, cultivating an appreciation of effective advocacy and persuasive techniques practiced at the appellate level. Their addition to the firm will be a tremendous asset, helping to ensure that clients receive the highest caliber of legal advocacy.
Joseph Dorris is a litigator with a technical background in electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. He clerked for Circuit Judge Raymond C. Clevenger, III from 2023 to 2024. Before his clerkship, Dorris was an associate at Fish. Dorris earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was articles editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law. He holds a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Tennessee.
Christopher Fu, Ph.D., litigates for clients in matters pertaining to chemical engineering, physical chemistry, and related technologies. Fu clerked for Circuit Judge Timothy B. Dyk and for the Honorable Richard G. Andrews of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Fu received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served as co-editor-in-chief of the Stanford Technology Law Review. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington, where his doctoral research focused on the development of the metadynamics methodology for studying chemical reactions. He holds a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and the University of Virginia, respectively.
Alexander Rafferty represents chemicals and life sciences industry clients in patent litigation matters spanning a broad range of technologies, from medical devices to petrochemicals. He rejoins Fish after clerking for Circuit Judge Timothy B. Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Rafferty earned his undergraduate degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology.
Alex Yu specializes in patent prosecution and portfolio management, strategic counseling, freedom-to-operate studies, and has represented clients in post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He works on matters spanning a range of technologies, including consumer robotics, autonomous vehicles, machine learning, and medical devices. Prior to his clerkship for Circuit Judge Raymond Chen, he was an associate at Fish. Yu received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served as senior editor of the Stanford Law Review. He also holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford University.
Claire Xue, Ph.D., represents clients in litigation matters involving technologies in mechanical engineering and physics. She clerked for Circuit Judge Richard G. Taranto and Judge Richard G. Andrews of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Xue earned her J.D. and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. She holds a bachelor's degree in physics and applied mathematics from Yale University.
James Young, Ph.D., focuses on patent litigation in U.S. District Courts and appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also has experience with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the PTAB. Young clerked for Circuit Judge Leonard P. Stark. Before his legal career, he was a semiconductor researcher with over 25 publications. Young earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and holds a Ph.D. and master’s in electrical and computer engineering and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.