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Apr. 21, 2016

Laura M. Burson

See more on Laura M. Burson

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP | Los Angeles

As a patent attorney, Burson, a co-leader of the firm's Hatch-Waxman and Biosimilars Team, has handled a wide range of intellectual property cases.

One of these was her representation of Medtronic in a patent infringement suit involving multiple patents covering spinal transplant technology. The case yielded a favorable jury verdict of infringement and damages for Medtronic.

"The technology is challenging and interesting, and I get to work with some very talented scientists,"Burson said.

In another case, Burson represented the biotechnology firm Amgen Inc. in a patent infringement suit involving a gene transcription factor. The case resolved favorably on summary judgment on grounds of non-infringement.

Burson has also successfully represented Honeywell International Inc., Activision Inc., Apple Computer and 3M. With Apple, Burson handled the cases of multiple patent infringement suits involving iPod and other portable digital media players.

Most of these types of cases settle.

"Often these are companies that do business with one another," Burson said. "They also may find that they have more control if they settle rather than going with a jury trial."

Burson said there is often a great deal of explaining to educate the court on how a medical device works, or with a biotech product, the nature of the compound.

"In that case you need a computer-aided demonstration to show how the compound is put together," Burson said.

- Thor Biberman

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