Oct. 16, 2014
Christie, Parker & Hale LLP
See more on Christie, Parker & Hale LLPGlendale, Irvine | Intellectual property
The boutique sells itself as being a one-stop shop for clients' intellectual property needs, such as obtaining government approval for its clients' patents, trademarks and copyrights; representing clients in disputes in federal courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and advising clients on enforcement strategies, licensing and transactions.
Gregory S. Lampert, the firm's managing partner , said clients keep bringing their work because of its focus on science and technology.
"We do have the expertise from the technical standpoint. We've got many advanced degrees, here with many master's degrees and Ph.D.s," Lampert said. "We have a big advantage in understanding the technology. And our bill rates aren't as high."
On the litigation front, the firm won a recent ruling in the nation's patent appeals court in March. Partner David A. Dillard convinced the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to revive Vederi LLC's patent infringement case against Google Inc.'s Street View feature found on Google Maps.
The Federal Circuit ruling overturned a summary judgment decision that Google did not infringe four Vederi asserted patents and remanded the dispute for further consideration.
Christie, Parker & Hale is also representing Vederi as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews the asserted patents for validity.
Thomas J. Daly, a Glendale-based partner who has been at the firm for more than three decades, said the collaboration among the firm's prosecutors, portfolio managers and litigators provides better service to clients.
"Each of those areas helps inform you and helps you do a better job," said Daly, who himself transitioned from litigation to transactional work. "If you've been involved in litigation with a patent, you know what kinds of issues come up. When you're [applying for] a patent, you know how to make sure it will better survive that litigation."
The firm currently has more than 40 lawyers, patent agents and technical specialists split between offices in Glendale and Irvine. Lampert said the firm focuses on recruting lawyers straight out of law school through its summer associate program.
Clients can range from individual inventors to large companies, from a biotechnology research firm to a retail clothing conglomerate. The firm's website lists Los Angeles-based upscale clothing retailer Guess Inc., San Francisco-based snack food distributor Diamond Foods Inc., Dallas-based speciality retail company The Nieman Marcus Group Inc., and the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim professional baseball teams as clients.
Intellectual property boutiques have been snapped up recently as large law firms try to quickly gain a large foothold with technology clients and patent litigation work. Lampert said his firm is no stranger to large firm overtures.
"To be perfectly honest , we're approached regularly. We've looked at it in the past, but never have taken it to the point where it's gotten serious," Lampert said. "We certainly enjoy our independence. We're able to recruit, we're able to compete. We do good work and we are profitable."
- Kevin Lee
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