Mary Prendergast

Mary Prendergast is a highly experienced patent and trade secrets trial lawyer and a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP, where she co-heads the litigation department in Washington, D.C.. Her practice emphasizes complex intellectual property litigation in U.S. district courts and, notably, at the International Trade Commission (ITC), particularly Section 337 investigations. She handles high-stakes IP matters across various technology sectors, including semiconductors, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, software, and telecommunications.

Prendergast primarily defends large operating companies, including major life sciences and technology firms. Her experience includes representing a smartphone manufacturer in high-profile patent litigation that resulted in jury verdicts exceeding $1 billion. She also successfully defended Renesas in an ITC investigation initiated by Broadcom, securing a complete victory before the Administrative Law Judge and the Commission on all four asserted patents, and represented Magic Leap in an ITC investigation concerning augmented-reality eyewear. Her tracked case, GoPro, Inc. v. Insta360, further reflects her role in defending technology companies.

Prendergast possesses substantial experience with Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, having argued before the PTAB. This includes arguing in a related IPR for Renesas, which led to the cancellation of all challenged claims, a decision subsequently affirmed by the Federal Circuit. Additionally, she is noted for her expertise in Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA litigation.

She is admitted to practice in California and the District of Columbia. Prendergast earned her B.F.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law.