© 2016 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(June 14) – Vinson & Elkins bolstered its global intellectual property practice by adding five partners in Austin and Dallas, the firm announced this week.
It is the latest in a series of moves to grow the firm’s IP expertise – V&E recently hired two IP partners on the West Coast and launched an office in Taipei. Globally, the firm’s IP practice spans eight offices.
V&E signed on Fred Williams, Michael Simons, Todd Landis and Eric Klein from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Craig Tyler from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Williams, who was deputy group leader of Akin Gump’s global IP practice, said he is excited to be a part of V&E’s “outstanding” litigation team.
“The firm has a desire and interest in building a world-class IP practice,” he said. “The new Taipei office coincides well with our clients.”
One of the most interesting matters Williams said he has handled in the past year was successfully defending a major wireless manufacturer and its largest wireless carrier in six cases relating to 4G LTE wireless technologies. The litigation started in the Eastern District of Texas, but ended up in the Northern District of California.
Williams has also been involved in two of the three cases the International Trade Commission has taken as part of its 100-day pilot program, which was launched to limit unnecessary litigation. One of the matters involved the issue of patent eligible subject matter.
Williams says the ITC program offers clients the opportunity to resolve disputes early and save money.
The law developing around what is patentable subject matter is of particular interest to patent litigators and his clients, Williams says.
“There is not a clear bright line test,” he said.
Williams, Tyler and Simons, who was partner-in-charge of Akin Gump’s Austin office, will be based in the state capital. Landis and Klein will practice out of Dallas.
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