Cooley

Cooley LLP is a major international law firm headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 1920, the firm has grown to include approximately 1,400 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Cooley is consistently ranked among the top US law firms by revenue, placing 13th in the AmLaw 200, firmly establishing it as a "BigLaw" player with a strong focus on the innovation economy. The firm is nationally recognized for its intellectual property practice by directories such as Chambers USA and The Legal 500.

The firm's patent litigation practice is deeply rooted in the technology and life sciences sectors. A majority of its IP litigators have technical backgrounds, enabling them to handle complex cases involving pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, software, augmented reality, and semiconductors. Cooley's client list includes industry leaders such as Meta (Facebook), Qualcomm, Uber, and Niantic, as well as high-growth life sciences companies. The firm has extensive experience in federal district and appellate courts, the US International Trade Commission (ITC), and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Based on its public representations, Cooley primarily defends established technology and life sciences companies in patent disputes. The single tracked case, representing defendant Niantic in Imaginear Inc v. Niantic Inc, aligns with this focus. The firm's website notes its experience in defending clients against non-practicing entities (NPEs). While predominantly a defense-side firm, Cooley also litigates on the plaintiff side, as demonstrated by a significant recent trial victory for medical device company Sight Sciences.

Cooley has secured numerous noteworthy outcomes for its clients. In a case for Sight Sciences, the firm obtained a jury verdict of infringement and willful infringement, resulting in a final judgment of $55.4 million and an ongoing royalty. The firm also successfully defended Niantic, maker of Pokémon Go, in an augmented reality patent case. For its client CoolIT Systems, Cooley secured a summary judgment victory across both district court and the PTAB that was affirmed at the Federal Circuit. The firm has a highly active PTAB practice, having handled over 300 inter partes review (IPR) and covered business method (CBM) proceedings, which it strategically uses in litigation defense. Key partners in the IP litigation practice include Washington D.C.-based Stephen Smith and Sanya Sukduang, and Palo Alto-based Heidi Keefe and Reuben Chen. While previously at Cooley, attorney Sarah E. Piepmeier, listed in the case data, is now a partner at another firm.