Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt

Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P. is a prominent intellectual property (IP) boutique headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with an additional affiliate office in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1968, the firm is recognized as one of the largest in the United States focusing exclusively on intellectual property law. Oblon has received consistent industry accolades, including a Band 1 ranking for Intellectual Property in Northern Virginia by Chambers USA and recognition as a "Best Law Firm" by U.S. News & Best Lawyers for IP Litigation and Patent Law. Vault also ranked Oblon among the Best Intellectual Property Specialty Law Firms.

The firm's IP litigation practice spans a wide array of technology areas, including chemical, biotech, electrical, mechanical, and software patent law. Oblon is adept at handling utility and design patent litigation, Hatch-Waxman (ANDA) cases, and disputes involving non-practicing entities and standards-essential patents, often appearing before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and federal courts. Its technical expertise extends to consumer electronics, computer science/IT, semiconductors, telecommunications, and even emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence.

In its tracked litigation, Oblon primarily acts as defense counsel, having represented defendants in all recorded appearances. The firm's litigation practice includes notable engagements such as its role as lead counsel for Shoals Technologies Group, LLC in Voltage, LLC et al. v. Shoals Technologies Group, LLC. In this ongoing dispute concerning solar power technology and electrical balance-of-systems (EBOS) solutions, Shoals has secured favorable initial determinations from an ITC Administrative Law Judge regarding Voltage's alleged infringement of its patented Big Lead Assembly (BLA) products, with a final determination anticipated by June 2026. Historically, Oblon also litigated the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Company, which significantly influenced patent law.

Oblon maintains a robust practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), with its post-grant practitioners recognized for their extensive experience. The firm has served as counsel in over 200 America Invents Act (AIA) trial proceedings since the act's introduction, covering Post-Grant Review (PGR), Inter Partes Review (IPR), and Covered Business Method (CBM) challenges. Law360 has previously recognized Oblon among the Top Ten "Go-To Firms" for PTAB Litigation.

Key partners in the firm's patent litigation practice include Frank J. West, who heads the Litigation Department, and Managing Partner Philippe J.C. Signore, who is also active in patent litigation. Other prominent partners involved in litigation or prosecution management with significant technical backgrounds include Marvin S. Kerner, Jeffrey A. Stone, Jonathan R. Sickmeyer, David M. Longo, Ph.D., and Senior Counsel Charles L. Gholz, known for his expertise in patent interferences.