Crenshaw, Ware & Martin

Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is a regional, multi-disciplined law firm headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with a history tracing back to 1923. The firm maintains a single office and employs approximately 14 attorneys, establishing its presence as a prominent local firm in Virginia. It has received recognition in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" rankings across various metropolitan tiers for Norfolk, including Tier 1 for areas such as Admiralty and Maritime Law and Commercial Litigation, and Tier 3 for Litigation.

The firm’s intellectual property litigation practice focuses on high-stakes patent and other IP disputes within the Eastern District of Virginia, where it often serves as local or co-counsel. While representing both patent holders and accused infringers, the firm's tracked appearances indicate a role on the plaintiff side, primarily providing local counsel support. Their attorneys have experience navigating all stages of the "Rocket Docket" litigation process, including motions to transfer venue, Markman hearings, summary judgment motions, and jury trials.

A notable case for the firm was I/P Engine, Inc. v. AOL, Inc. et al. (E.D. Va.), where Crenshaw, Ware & Martin was part of the trial team that secured a jury verdict for the patent holder in 2012 in a case involving internet search filtering technology. However, this initial success was ultimately reversed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 2014, which invalidated the asserted patents for anticipation and obviousness.

Crenshaw, Ware & Martin also has experience with post-grant proceedings, having been counsel to a successful movant in the first case in the country to be stayed following the PTAB's application of Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International from the U.S. Supreme Court. Key attorneys in the firm's IP litigation offerings include W. Ryan Snow, who has served as co-counsel in significant patent cases and as local counsel in patent matters in the Eastern District of Virginia, and David C. Hartnett, who is listed as the Intellectual Property Practice Group Chair. Donald C. Schultz was also involved as local counsel in the I/P Engine case.