Untitled case

This active patent infringement litigation, case number 2:24-cv-00730, is currently proceeding in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, before Judge Rodney Gilstrap. The plaintiff is Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC (AICP), which appears to be a patent assertion entity (PAE) or non-practicing entity (NPE) based on its litigation patterns against semiconductor manufacturers. The primary defendant is United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), a Taiwanese pure-play semiconductor foundry that designs, develops, and markets high-performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) is also involved as a consolidated defendant in a related member case (2:24-cv-00623-JRG).

The core of the dispute revolves around U.S. Patent No. 8,907,425, which broadly covers a semiconductor device, particularly relating to field-effect transistors (FETs) and integrated devices formed on semiconductor substrates. AICP alleges that UMC infringes this patent, along with several others, through its manufacture and sale of certain semiconductor devices, specifically citing UMC's fabrication processes at 22nm and 28nm nodes and products such as the Qualcomm MDM9625M and Microsemi MPF300T-FCG484E semiconductor devices.

This case is notable as it exemplifies ongoing patent assertion strategies by NPEs in the semiconductor industry. The Eastern District of Texas remains a popular venue for patent litigation due to its historical reputation as a "rocket docket" with plaintiff-friendly procedures and accelerated trial schedules, although the Supreme Court's TC Heartland decision in 2017 has impacted venue options. The defendants, UMC and TSMC, have actively challenged the asserted patents by filing inter partes reviews (IPRs) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a common defensive maneuver in patent litigation to contest patent validity.

This report summarizes the key legal developments and outcomes for the patent infringement litigation case 2:24-cv-00730 in the Eastern District of Texas, involving US patent 8907425.

Filing & Initial Pleadings

The case, Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC v. United Microelectronics Corporation, was filed on September 6, 2024, in the Eastern District of Texas. Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC (AICP) accused United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) of directly and indirectly infringing seven patents, including 8907425, through the manufacture and sale of certain semiconductor devices. Specifically, AICP identified the Qualcomm MDM9625M and Microsemi MPF300T-FCG484E semiconductor devices as infringing products.

The case was later consolidated with another related case, Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC v. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (2:24-cv-00623), on December 6, 2024.

Pre-trial Motions of Substance

On December 6, 2024, UMC filed a motion to dismiss AICP's claims for direct and pre-suit indirect infringement, arguing that AICP "merely parrots the claim language" and failed to provide adequate notice of its claims. However, the Court denied UMC's motion to dismiss on September 30, 2025.

Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes

A Markman hearing was initially scheduled for December 18, 2025, but was later reset for January 13, 2026, before District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. The Court anticipates that the parties will evaluate the appropriateness of mediation after the issuance of the claim construction order.

Discovery Milestones & Trial Events

A Second Docket Control Order, issued on February 21, 2025, set out various deadlines, including a pretrial conference for May 18, 2026, and jury selection for June 22, 2026, both in Marshall, Texas, before Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Deadlines were also set for disclosing final invalidity theories, prior art references, and equitable defenses by the defendant (7 days before jury selection), and for the plaintiff to disclose its final election of asserted claims (10 days before jury selection).

Parallel PTAB IPR Proceedings

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC), a defendant in the consolidated case, filed multiple Inter Partes Review (IPR) petitions against AICP's patents, including some asserted in this litigation. For example, IPR2025-00830 was filed by TSMC against AICP on April 14, 2025, challenging patent 8,253,180. Many of TSMC's IPR requests were denied institution by the PTAB. UMC also filed IPR petitions, but did so later than TSMC. The PTAB noted UMC's "unexplained delay in filing its petition" and that the projected date for the institution decision would occur after the Markman hearing and shortly before the close of fact discovery in the parallel litigation. UMC also "inexplicably declined to join TSMC's motion" to stay.

Plaintiff in this case, Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC, is represented by counsel from Susman Godfrey LLP and Miller Fair Henry PLLC.

The identified counsel of record for the plaintiff are:

From Susman Godfrey LLP:

• Kalpana Srinivasan
  • Role: Lead Counsel (Likely, given her senior position at a prominent litigation firm and the nature of the case)
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Kalpana Srinivasan is a highly regarded trial lawyer, consistently recognized for her work in high-stakes intellectual property and complex commercial litigation. She has secured significant verdicts and settlements for clients in various technology sectors.
• Justin Adatto Nelson
  • Role: Lead Counsel (Likely, given his senior position at a prominent litigation firm)
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP, Houston, TX.
  • Experience Note: Justin Nelson is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in patent infringement cases and other complex commercial disputes, often serving as lead counsel.
• Ian M. Gore
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP.
  • Experience Note: Ian Gore filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC in this case, indicating his active involvement. His work at Susman Godfrey LLP involves complex litigation.
• Ravi Paul Singh Bhalla
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP.
  • Experience Note: Ravi Bhalla is an attorney at Susman Godfrey LLP, a firm known for its high-stakes litigation, including patent cases.
• Andrew Jamal Nassar
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP.
  • Experience Note: Andrew Nassar is an attorney at Susman Godfrey LLP, involved in complex litigation matters.
• Bianca Rey
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey LLP.
  • Experience Note: Bianca Rey is an attorney at Susman Godfrey LLP, a firm specializing in high-stakes litigation.

From Miller Fair Henry PLLC:

• Claire Abernathy Henry
  • Role: Local Counsel (Likely, given the firm's location in the Eastern District of Texas)
  • Firm: Miller Fair Henry PLLC.
  • Experience Note: Miller Fair Henry PLLC is a Texas-based firm, and Claire Henry is likely providing local counsel support for the plaintiff in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Andrea Leigh Fair
  • Role: Local Counsel (Likely, given the firm's location in the Eastern District of Texas)
  • Firm: Miller Fair Henry PLLC.
  • Experience Note: Andrea Fair, as part of Miller Fair Henry PLLC, likely provides local counsel expertise in the Eastern District of Texas for patent litigation.

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print(google_search.search(queries=["2:24-cv-00730 defendant counsel", "Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC v. United Microelectronics Corporation counsel", "Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC v. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited counsel", "Kirkland & Ellis patent litigation United Microelectronics Corporation", "Sidley Austin patent litigation Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited"]))
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The user is asking for the counsel of record representing the defendants in case 2:24-cv-00730.
The previous sections mention two defendants: United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) due to consolidation.

I need to find the attorneys representing UMC and TSMC, including their roles, firms, office locations, and relevant experience. I will use web search on PACER, docket sheets, firm websites, and legal news sites.

Let's start by searching for counsel for 2:24-cv-00730 and the defendant names.## Counsel of Record for Defendant(s) in Advanced Integrated Circuit Process LLC v. United Microelectronics Corporation (2:24-cv-00730)

The patent infringement case 2:24-cv-00730 involves two defendants, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), the latter due to a consolidation with case 2:24-cv-00623.

For United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)

In-House Counsel:

• Lucas Chang
  • Role: Vice President, Deputy General Manager & General Counsel.
  • Firm: United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Dr. Chang has served as General Counsel for UMC since 2018. His legal background includes senior partner roles at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, with a focus on general corporate, cross-border investment, M&A transactions, and intellectual property. He also previously worked as a staff attorney and patent agent at IBM.
• Olivia Liao
  • Role: Vice President and General Counsel.
  • Firm: United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Appointed as Vice President and General Counsel in 2024, Dr. Liao oversees IP management and corporate sustainability, aiming to protect UMC's long-term interests and maximize IP value.

External Counsel:
Information regarding specific external counsel of record appearing for UMC in case 2:24-cv-00730 in the Eastern District of Texas is not explicitly detailed in the provided search results. However, previous patent litigation and firm descriptions suggest experienced IP litigators would be involved.

For Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC)

In-House Counsel:

• Sylvia Fang
  • Role: Senior Vice President, Legal and General Counsel / Corporate Governance Officer.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Ms. Fang has served as TSMC's Vice President and General Counsel since August 2014, leading high-profile corporate transactions, intellectual property, and trade secret litigations. She also co-founded the Taiwan Association for Trade Secrets Protection (TTSP).
• Billie Chen
  • Role: Associate General Counsel and Chief IP Counsel.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Ms. Chen is responsible for TSMC's global patent strategy, portfolio establishment, and offensive/defensive strategies for patent disputes and litigation. She has led TSMC's IP team to success in various patent litigations and IPRs.
• Michael Shen
  • Role: Director, Chief Counsel - Patent Litigation.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Mr. Shen specializes in patent litigation and has been with TSMC since March 2014. He previously worked as an IP Litigation Partner at Haynes and Boone, LLP and Kenyon & Kenyon LLP.

External Counsel:

• Jacqueline T Moran
  • Role: Counsel (Pro Hac Vice).
  • Firm: Firm not specified in the available snippet from 2:24-cv-00623, but her appearance was noted as pro hac vice for TSMC.
• Sara Christina Fish
  • Role: Counsel (Notice of Attorney Appearance, marked as "FILED IN ERROR").
  • Firm: Firm not specified in the available snippet from 2:24-cv-00623.
• Gordon, Lori (et al.)
  • Role: Petitioner Counsel in related IPR proceedings (e.g., IPR2025-00830, IPR2025-00832).
  • Firm: Likely a firm specializing in patent litigation and PTAB proceedings, given the context of IPRs filed by TSMC. The full firm name and specific individual counsel beyond "Gordon, Lori et al." are not detailed in the snippets.The search results provided in-house counsel for both UMC and TSMC, and some external counsel information for TSMC, but not explicitly the lead external counsel for either defendant in the district court case 2:24-cv-00730. The previous steps outlined a plan to refine the search. I need to focus on finding external counsel appearances for UMC in the main district court case and for TSMC in the consolidated case.

Let's try to find more specific docket entries or legal news that name the external law firms and specific attorneys representing the defendants in the district court proceedings.Here is the counsel of record representing the defendant(s) in the patent infringement case 2:24-cv-00730:

For Defendant United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)

In-House Counsel:

• Lucas Chang
  • Role: Vice President, Deputy General Manager & General Counsel.
  • Firm: United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Dr. Chang has served as UMC's General Counsel since 2018, bringing experience from previous senior partner roles at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and as a patent agent at IBM, focusing on corporate, M&A, and intellectual property.
• Olivia Liao
  • Role: Vice President and General Counsel.
  • Firm: United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Appointed in 2024, Ms. Liao is involved in UMC's IP management and corporate sustainability, aiming to protect the company's long-term interests and maximize IP value.

External Counsel:

• Ryan Edward Dornberger
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP.
  • Note: Filed a notice of attorney appearance on behalf of UMC.
• Emma Anne Bennett
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP.
  • Note: Filed a notice of attorney appearance on behalf of UMC.
• Mark A Hannemann
  • Role: Counsel (Pro Hac Vice).
  • Firm: Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP.
  • Note: Filed a notice of attorney appearance as pro hac vice for UMC.

For Defendant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC)

In-House Counsel:

• Sylvia Fang
  • Role: Senior Vice President, Legal and General Counsel / Corporate Governance Officer.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Oversees TSMC's legal affairs, including intellectual property and trade secret litigation, since August 2014.
• Billie Chen
  • Role: Associate General Counsel and Chief IP Counsel.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: Leads TSMC's global patent strategy and patent dispute resolution.
• Michael Shen
  • Role: Director, Chief Counsel - Patent Litigation.
  • Firm: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  • Note: An experienced legal professional specializing in patent litigation, he joined TSMC in March 2014 from Haynes and Boone, LLP.

External Counsel:

Several attorneys have filed notices of appearance for TSMC in the consolidated case. The primary external firms are likely based on the number of appearances and typical patent litigation practice.

• Karrie E. Washenfe Wheatley
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Kevin K. Su
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Michael J McKeon
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Christian A Chu
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• James Lee Huguenin-Love
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Benjamin Christoff
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Karolina Jesien
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Jacqueline T Moran
  • Role: Counsel (Pro Hac Vice).
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Sean S. Pak
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Gyushik Jang
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Jodie W Cheng
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Conrad Gosen
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.
• Iman Lordgooei
  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated in the provided snippets, but filed a notice of attorney appearance.