Vera M. Elson to Lead Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Group
PALO ALTO, CA (April 11, 2007) — Vera M. Elson, a senior patent trial lawyer with McDermott Will & Emery’s Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department and one of a handful of Hispanic women IP trial lawyers in California, has been named head of the Silicon Valley office intellectual property practice. Ms. Elson joined McDermott’s Silicon Valley office in August 2001, and has been instrumental in the recruitment of a number of local partners and associates. Since 2001, the Firm's Silicon Valley office has nearly doubled in size with the intellectual property practice now numbering nearly 40 lawyers.
"Vera is one of the premier patent trial lawyers in the country. With a master's in electrical engineering and proven trial record, she brings a unique skill set to the courtroom because she understands both technology and trial law," commented Terrence P. McMahon, head of the Firm’s global intellectual property practice. "These unique attributes will translate into an incredible leader for our IP practice in Silicon Valley."
In October, Ms. Elson will serve as co-chair of the patent litigation program for the 2007 Sedona Conference. The Sedona Conference has successfully developed into a multi-faceted, open and neutral think-tank generating important, authoritative and timely contribution on legal issues. For more information, visit www.thesedonaconference.org.
Ms. Elson focuses her practice on intellectual property trial and counseling for the Firm’s technology clients. She has tried numerous intellectual property cases to verdict in federal circuit, district and state courts, and has extensive experience representing clients before the International Trade Commission (ITC). She is a patent attorney registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as well as a member of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association.
McDermott Will & Emery currently numbers more than 1,100 lawyers worldwide based in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. In addition, McDermott is strategically aligned with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai. Our network provides the global reach needed by international and multinational companies doing business around the world.
Our Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department includes more than 215 lawyers and patent agents working in all of our offices throughout the world. More than 150 members of our team hold technical and/or scientific degrees; 95 are patent bar members. We represent the interests of clients across numerous industries including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, gaming, computer hardware and software, networks and telecommunications. We are recognized for our trial and appellate experience, and are ranked as one of the strongest IP litigation firms for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Biographical Notes
Vera M. Elson has been recognized by Chambers USA 2005 and 2006 as a leading lawyer in intellectual property in California based on client interviews and peer reviews. Before joining the legal profession, she earned an M.S.E.E. with an emphasis in integrated circuit design from the University of California at Los Angeles and worked as a high-speed digital circuit designer for Hughes Aircraft's Advanced Circuit Technology Laboratory.
Ms. Elson's trial experience is extensive. A few of her representative cases include the following:
In the Matter of Certain Mobile Telephone Handsets, Wireless Communication Devices, and Components Thereof. Representing QUALCOMM before the International Trade Commission for patent infringement action brought by QUALCOMM (Complainant) against Nokia Corporation and Nokia, Inc. (Respondent).
VirnetX v. Microsoft. Currently representing VirnetX in a patent suit filed against Microsoft in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas.
Volumetrics Medical Imaging, LLC v. GE Healthcare. Currently defending the GE Healthcare and GE Medical Systems businesses in a patent infringement lawsuit involving ultrasound medical imaging technology.Medtronic et al. v. BrainLAB Medizinische Computersystems GMBH et al. Represented Medtronic as trial counsel in a patent infringement case related to image-guided surgical techniques and devices. The jury found that all of the accused devices infringed all of the patents-in-suit.
Enterasys Networks, Inc v. Extreme Networks, Inc. Currently representing Extreme Networks as trial counsel in a patent infringement case (six patents in the suit).
Lucent Technologies v. Extreme Networks. Represented Extreme Networks as trial counsel in a patent infringement case related to networking technology. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Extreme.
Intel Corp. v. Broadcom Corporation. Trial counsel in a patent case before a Delaware jury relating to digital video processing and computer network technology. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Broadcom.
Ms. Elson interned at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. for the late Chief Judge Helen Wilson Nies, and is currently a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association.
