In the area of pharmaceuticals, Chris has experience at every stage of litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants in small-molecule and biologics patent infringement actions related to antibiotics, overactive bladder solid oral dosage forms, gastrointestinal disease treatments, cancer-treatment drugs, sleep aid medications, topical psoriasis lotions, and fungal infection ointments in federal district court, including Arazlo®, Bryhali®, Cubicin®, Doribax®,Duobrii®, Gemzar®, Glumetza®, Hetlioz®, Jublia®, Lunesta®, Myrbetriq®, Reclast®, Remicade®, Sensipar®, Tecfidera®, Topicort®, Uceris®, Xifaxan®, and Zometa®. Chris also applies his experience with pharmaceutical companies to advance novel litigation strategies in FDA regulatory actions, including citizen’s petitions, and in counseling on patent prosecution strategy.

In the area of computing systems, Chris has experience representing defendants in technical and non-technical aspects of litigation. As one example, representing a large retail restaurant chain as the lead defendant in a large defense group, Chris was just weeks away from what would have been one of the first trials in the ever-evolving area of Section 101 invalidity. Leveraging an ability to translate complicated subject matter for judges and juries, Chris has had success handling cases with nascent technologies.

Chris also has significant experience in trademark infringement litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has counselled numerous entities, including non-profits, regarding competitors’ infringement and has worked towards alternative solutions, including favorable settlements. In one case, representing the defendant, Chris was part of a team that obtained a denial of preliminary injunction by the plaintiff that ultimately resolved the case favorably in Chris’s client’s favor.

Chris also serves as a mentor to numerous intellectual property group associates and as an assignment coordinator and mentor for IP summer associates.

Chris served as law clerk to the Hon. Todd M. Hughes for the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Hon. Gail J. Standish for the US District Court for the Central District of California.

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• Counsels a startup technology company regarding software patent portfolio development
• Obtained non-institution decision on behalf of pharmaceutical manufacturer involving acne topical treatment, resulting in a favorable settlement of parallel district court litigation
• Achieved a complete win at trial for a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a two-product, four-patent case involving psoriasis topical treatments. At trial, Chris performed three key direct examinations and one cross-examination.
• Successfully represented a payment processing company defending a trademark infringement litigation brought by debt collection company, resulting in a critical denial of a preliminary injunction
• Successfully represented a drug manufacturer in a 12-patent case against several generic pharmaceutical companies involving a formulation treating toenail fungal infections
• Successfully represented a charitable non-profit hospital suing an orthopaedic implant manufacturer/distributor for patent infringement based on patents covering improved orthopaedic polyethylene
• Successfully served as lead counsel in a federal appeal on behalf of a criminal defendant challenging the length in his sentence
• Successfully obtained compensatory benefits for an autistic child receiving deficient education under IDEA based on failure to provide appropriate transportation
• Served as counsel at trial for a third-party logistics provider in a copyright and trade secret dispute with a software development company
• Served as lead counsel in a federal appeal, including in the US Supreme Court, on behalf of a criminal defendant challenging his conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel
• Obtained favorable settlement for a large retail hospitality provider in a computing systems technology patent infringement action*
• Successfully represented an agricultural chemical business plaintiff in a patent infringement and contract dispute resulting in a $1 billion jury damages award*
• Successfully represented generic pharmaceutical manufacturer at trial invalidating antibiotic patents, resulting in an earlier-than-anticipated launch*
• Successfully represented a prominent prize-awarding institution against a claim of defamation*
• Represented a territorial government in tax disputes in US Tax Court and several courts of appeals to protect its economic development program*
• Successfully defeated class certification involving many thousands of employees in wage & hour employment dispute on behalf of a large healthcare provider*
• Successfully represented a veteran in a pro bono matter seeking further review of a request for an increase in benefits*
• Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of a victim of a fraudulent mortgage modification in pro bono representation*

*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.

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• IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, 2023 to 2024
• District of Columbia Courts, Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023
• Super Lawyers: Rising Star, Intellectual Property Litigation, Washington, DC, 2014–2016, 2024

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