Williams Mullen

Williams Mullen is a full-service regional law firm with its headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. The firm operates with approximately 250 attorneys across offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C. It is recognized as an Am Law 200 firm, having ranked 173rd in The American Lawyer's 2025 Am Law 200 list based on its 2024 gross revenue.

The firm's intellectual property litigation practice handles a broad array of technologies, including computer software and hardware, telecommunications, biologics & pharmaceuticals, mechanical technologies, consumer products, chemical arts, medical devices, optical fibers, graphics processing units (GPUs), and targeted online advertising. Williams Mullen works on both the plaintiff and defendant sides of patent disputes, with a slight emphasis on defense in its tracked patent litigation matters. The firm's practice description highlights its role in enforcing and protecting clients' valuable products and brands.

In terms of notable cases, Williams Mullen has appeared as local counsel for the plaintiff in Fullthrottle Technologies, LLC v. Rocket Media, LLC and as lead counsel for the defendant in the related case, Rocket Media, LLC d/b/a Launch Labs v. Fullthrottle Technologies, LLC. The firm also represented Teladoc Health Inc. as Of Counsel in Teladoc Health Inc. v. Data Health Partners Inc., a patent infringement case concerning diabetes management technology. In May 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued an order denying in part and granting in part Teladoc's motion to dismiss claims on patent-eligibility grounds under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

Williams Mullen maintains an active Post-Grant Review and Inter Partes Review (IPR) practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), representing both patent owners and petitioners. Their experience in these proceedings covers all stages, including petition drafting, conducting discovery, depositions, hearings, and appeals to the Federal Circuit, with particular expertise in complex issues of privity and joinder.

Key partners in the firm's IP litigation practice include Rob Van Arnam, who serves as the Intellectual Property Practice Chair and is recognized by Chambers USA for Intellectual Property in North Carolina, along with Andrew R. Shores and Clinton H. Brannon. Andrew Shores focuses on electrical and software patent litigation and prosecution, while Clinton Brannon possesses extensive experience in patent litigation and IPRs, covering chemical, electrical, software, and mechanical arts. Carmelle F. Alipio also contributes to the practice, handling patent, trademark, and copyright infringement litigation, particularly for technology and healthcare clients.