Graves & Shaw

Graves & Shaw LLP is a specialized intellectual property litigation firm based in Los Angeles, California. Comprising a lean team of attorneys, the firm is known for its focused practice rather than a large, multi-office footprint, positioning it as an IP boutique. Philip J. Graves and Greer N. Shaw are recognized as leading attorneys at the firm, both selected to the Super Lawyers list for Intellectual Property Litigation.

The firm specializes in high-stakes patent disputes, particularly in the wireless communication and mobile technology sectors. Its portfolio of cases primarily involves patents related to dynamically configurable IP-based wireless devices and networks, and systems for interfacing IP-based wireless devices with subtasks and channels. Graves & Shaw has represented Smart Mobile Technologies LLC, a non-practicing entity, in significant actions against major technology companies.

Graves & Shaw primarily operates on the plaintiff side, with five tracked appearances as plaintiff's counsel compared to two as defendant's counsel. In its defendant-side roles, the firm has defended Smart Mobile Technologies LLC against challenges, aligning with its overall strategy of asserting and protecting intellectual property rights.

The firm has been prominent in litigation involving Smart Mobile Technologies LLC against industry giants Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Apple Inc. While a patent infringement case against Samsung in the Western District of Texas concluded with a dismissal with prejudice, suggesting a negotiated settlement, Graves & Shaw has also navigated numerous appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Notably, the Federal Circuit has seen outcomes ranging from voluntary dismissals of appeals by Samsung in wireless patent disputes to a Federal Circuit ruling that affirmed the invalidity of one Smart Mobile Technologies patent against Apple, and another Federal Circuit decision that reversed in part a PTAB finding, applying issue preclusion to find certain Smart Mobile Technologies claims unpatentable. In another instance, the Federal Circuit affirmed a PTAB decision upholding the patentability of several Smart Mobile Technologies patent claims challenged by Apple.

Graves & Shaw also maintains a notable practice in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, frequently defending patents against inter partes review (IPR) petitions. Their involvement in the PTAB and subsequent Federal Circuit appeals, such as those initiated by Samsung and Apple against Smart Mobile Technologies, demonstrates their experience in both invalidity defense and appellate strategy.