Ruffin B. Cordell

Ruffin B. Cordell is a Principal at Fish & Richardson in Washington, D.C., with a career spanning over three decades focused on high-stakes patent and trade secret litigation. His practice centers on complex technologies, including mobile devices, software, memory storage, and parallel processing computer systems. Cordell has exceptionally deep experience in multi-jurisdictional disputes, having served as lead counsel in more than three dozen trials in key patent venues like the Eastern District of Texas and Delaware, and handling over 70 cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). He is recognized for his particular expertise in Section 337 proceedings at the ITC.

While the provided case list shows a single appearance for a plaintiff, Cordell's broader career is marked by the frequent defense of major technology corporations in bet-the-company litigation. His client list includes prominent companies such as Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, and Marvell Semiconductor. Notable defense victories include securing a non-infringement jury verdict for Marvell Semiconductor in a case with over $1 billion at stake and obtaining a favorable summary judgment for Microsoft. He has also represented major players like Samsung in large-scale licensing disputes involving dozens of patents against competitors like Ericsson.

A seasoned appellate advocate, Cordell has argued more than two dozen appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also has significant experience in post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Prior to his litigation career, he worked as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, focusing on computer interface technology.

Cordell earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University. He is admitted to practice in Texas, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.