Bird Marella

Based on an analysis of its public record and litigation history, this summary outlines the patent litigation practice of Bird, Marella, Rhow, Lincenberg, Drooks & Nessim, LLP.

Bird Marella is a Los Angeles-based litigation boutique founded in 1981. With a single office and a roster of approximately 40 to 50 attorneys, the firm is recognized as a top-tier trial firm, often handling high-stakes disputes. While not exclusively focused on intellectual property, the firm is highly ranked by Chambers and Partners in "Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite" and is described by Vault as one of the "Best Litigation Boutique Law Firms." The firm’s attorneys include numerous former Assistant U.S. Attorneys and judicial clerks.

The firm's intellectual property practice handles complex technology disputes, including patent and trade secret litigation. The tracked case data indicates experience in the mechanical and electronics sectors, specifically related to video game controller technology in Valve Corporation v. Ironburg Inventions Ltd. The biographies of the firm’s attorneys suggest a broader technical scope, with experience in matters involving semiconductors, consumer electronics, software, and financial technology. Partner Timothy B. Yoo, a Caltech-trained engineer, has been named one of California's Top Intellectual Property Lawyers, indicating a significant focus in this area.

The authoritative case list shows the firm representing the plaintiff in its single tracked patent case. However, the firm’s broader litigation practice and attorney profiles show a history of representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes technology and commercial disputes. For example, firm attorneys report having secured a defense verdict for a fintech company and defeating a $175 million lawsuit for a memory-chip manufacturer. This suggests a balanced practice capable of acting on either side of a patent dispute.

The firm has litigated notable and complex patent matters, including post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and subsequent appeals. The firm's representation in the Valve Corporation v. Ironburg Inventions Ltd. matter involved an inter partes review (IPR) that has resulted in multiple appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This highlights the firm's experience with contested PTAB proceedings. Key attorneys in the IP practice include counsel Jonathan M. Jackson, who was involved in the Valve matter, and partner Timothy B. Yoo, who is noted for his work in high-stakes IP and technology disputes.