Approach
In response to the critical strategic importance of intellectual property assets, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP has developed one of the largest groups of intellectual property litigators in the Midwest. Our superior IP litigation experience is evidenced by IP Law & Business (August/September 2009), which ranked Michael Best among the top 25 IP firms in the nation for patent litigation in terms of the number of District Court cases filed in 2008.
Attorneys
Our intellectual property litigators are, first and foremost, litigators who know how to try and win cases before judges and juries. They demonstrate the ability to master even the most technical of subject matters, from mechanical to electrical to computers to biotechnology. Many have experience as judicial clerks at the Federal District Court or Circuit Court level, including the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, which has exclusive jurisdiction over all patent matters. Our litigators also are adjunct professors, frequent lecturers and authors, and participate as editors in publications such as the Federal Circuit Bar Journal and the projects editorial board of the International Trademark Association.
Clients
We represent both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the Midwest and across the country, from emerging businesses to nationally-known corporations.
Practice
This team has successfully litigated major patent, trademark, Internet, false advertising, copyright, trade secret and rights of publicity and privacy cases in federal and appellate courts in almost every circuit in the country, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and the International Trade Commission.
We seek to develop approaches to further the business interests of the client. The Michael Best IP litigation team works with clients to develop the most effective business approach to the dispute. When appropriate, we seek to resolve disputes in manners other than litigation if consistent with our client’s best interests. At all times, we also provide the strength, resolve and capability to handle trial matters exceptionally well. We serve our clients by aggressively enforcing intellectual property rights against infringement and other claims, advising in cases of potential infringement of others, and evaluating the validity and enforceability of those rights.
Our intellectual property litigators master the technical aspects of their cases while maintaining focus on the overall themes in litigation. This is particularly important in areas such as patent litigation, where the legal doctrines are frequently quite intertwined, so that helpful facts on some issues can be detrimental as to other issues. Our experience allows us access to carefully select experts, so that the judge or jury is able to develop a true understanding and appreciation of our clients’ cases. Our litigators highlight the themes in their cases through the creative use of exhibits and technology in the courtroom.