Rothwell Figg

Rothwell Figg is an intellectual property (IP) boutique firm with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and an additional office in Boston, MA. The firm operates with a staff of approximately 45 attorneys, distinguishing itself as a smaller firm recognized for its IP litigation work. It has been recognized in Vault Law's "Top 150 Under 150" list for outstanding small and midsize firms and consistently receives high rankings from Chambers USA and Best Law Firms for its IP litigation and patent practices.

The firm's patent litigation practice covers a broad array of technologies, including telecommunications, wireless networking, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), video and audio encoding, cloud computing, ad-serving, software applications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Rothwell Figg represents clients in various IP disputes, including Hatch-Waxman litigation, and matters before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Rothwell Figg primarily defends operating companies. In its single tracked case, Personal Audio LLC v. CBS Corp., the firm represented CBS Corporation as a defendant against patent infringement allegations brought by a non-practicing entity. The firm's successful defense involved a jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas, where Personal Audio was awarded $1.3 million in damages (significantly less than the $8 million sought). Critically, Rothwell Figg's client, CBS, ultimately prevailed when the asserted patent ('504 patent) was later found unpatentable by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), a decision affirmed by the Federal Circuit and upheld by the Supreme Court's denial of certiorari. This outcome led to the vacating of the jury's verdict and entry of judgment in favor of CBS.

The firm possesses a robust Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) practice, recognized as a "go-to" firm for inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings. They have represented clients in over 85 post-grant proceedings since the implementation of IPR/PGR in 2012, highlighting their experience in both invalidating patents and defending clients' own patents before the USPTO. This experience includes handling complex interference proceedings, as demonstrated by their analysis and participation in the CRISPR-Cas9 interference dispute.

Key partners in the firm's IP litigation and PTAB practices include Brian S. Rosenbloom, who has over two decades of experience in IP counseling, patent prosecution, and patent litigation, with a strong background in electrical and software arts. Other notable practitioners recognized by Chambers USA and Benchmark Litigation for IP litigation include Steven Lieberman, Jennifer Nock, and Jennifer Maisel.