Gabrielle E. Higgins

Gabrielle E. Higgins is a highly experienced patent litigator with a significant focus on technology-driven disputes across various sectors, including telecommunications, electronics, semiconductors, wireless technology, internet services, network architecture and security, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Her practice extends to federal district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and notably, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Throughout her career, Ms. Higgins has primarily represented defendants in patent infringement matters, as evidenced by her tracked case appearances and experience securing victories for major technology companies like Google and Samsung. She is currently a partner at Desmarais LLP, having joined their San Francisco office in April 2021 to help expand the firm's West Coast presence and its robust PTAB practice. Prior to Desmarais, she was a partner at Ropes & Gray, following its merger with Fish & Neave, where she spent 30 years and was instrumental in opening the firm's Palo Alto office in 1992.

Ms. Higgins is particularly recognized for her extensive experience before the PTAB, where she has been counsel of record in over 130 inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. Her PTAB work includes successfully defending patent owners against institution, as seen in recent IPRs such as Biofrontera Inc. v. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (IPR2025-00287), which resulted in a discretionary denial, and Biofrontera AG v. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (IPR2024-00874), where institution was denied. Her tracked district court cases also include defending Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. in cases brought by Biofrontera.

Ms. Higgins earned her Juris Doctor from Fordham University in 1989 and her bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1985. She was admitted to the bar in 1989 and licensed in California since 1993.