Moore & Van Allen

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is a full-service law firm with its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and additional offices in Charleston, South Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Raleigh, North Carolina. As of 2026, the firm is recognized as a large regional firm, having been ranked on the "Am Law 200" for 27 consecutive years and listed on the "Law360 400" (#137 in 2026) and "NLJ 500" (2026) lists, with over 400 lawyers and professionals. The firm is relocating its headquarters within Charlotte by 2028.

Moore & Van Allen's Intellectual Property practice offers comprehensive services, including patent prosecution, trademark management, and IP litigation. The firm's litigators handle disputes across diverse technologies such as semiconductor manufacturing, food processing, telecommunications, internet applications, computer software, business methods, and consumer products. Their patent attorneys hold technical degrees in fields including electrical, computer, mechanical, and chemical engineering, as well as molecular biology, biotechnology, physics, and chemistry. The firm primarily represents defendants in patent litigation, with all two of its tracked appearances being on the defendant side, often defending operating companies against infringement allegations.

Notable engagements include serving as local counsel for Bank of America in Intellectual Ventures I LLC v. Bank of America, N.A. et al., a defense against claims brought by a non-practicing entity. In related litigation involving Intellectual Ventures, patents were successfully challenged on grounds of ineligible subject matter under Section 101 or lack of standing. The firm also served as lead counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority in Lone Star SCM Systems, LP v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, a patent litigation case that has been stayed pending a final, non-appealable decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) regarding the asserted patents. The firm possesses a robust PTAB practice, with attorneys experienced in handling America Invents Act (AIA) proceedings, including petitions through final written decisions.

Key IP litigation partners at Moore & Van Allen include J. Mark Wilson, who acted as lead counsel in the Lone Star case and is recognized for litigating IP cases involving mechanical, chemical, electrical arts, and Internet technologies. Kathryn "Kate" Gusmer Cole co-heads the Intellectual Property team, focusing on patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation, and is recognized in Lawdragon and IAM Patent 1000. Bruce J. Rose also leads patent litigation and other IP disputes, with extensive experience in PTAB proceedings. Elizabeth C. Brandon served as local counsel in the Intellectual Ventures matter.