Jonathan K. Waldrop

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP

Redwood Shores

Patent litigation

The Western District of Texas has become a destination for patent filings because a wave of technology companies have established their headquarters in San Antonio. Waldrop is thrilled to be part of the action.

Part of what makes the work in that court so interesting, he said, is the speed. Because the Western District has only become a "popular jurisdiction" fairly recently, "no one knew how cases would proceed," he explained.

"You're getting trials within 18 to 20 months, making it one of the fastest jurisdictions in the country."

This means attorneys have to work more efficiently, Waldrop added, but it's clear from the patent and trademark litigator's roster of high-profile clients -- which include Alphabet Inc., Asus Computer International Inc., Uber Technologies Inc. and Adobe Systems Inc. -- that he's up to the task.

Last year, Florida-based company MV3 Partners LLC alleged streaming media company Roku Inc. infringed its patent over a technology that helps adapt digital content to different-sized screens.

Waldrop represents the plaintiffs. MV3 Partners LLC v. Roku Inc. 18-CV00308 (W.D. Tx., filed Oct 16, 2018).

In another case, Waldrop is lead counsel representing mobile payment company Fintiv Inc., which accused Apple Inc. of infringing a patent involving the management of virtual cards stored on mobile devices. Fintiv, Inc. v. Apple Inc., 18-CV00372 (W.D. Tex., filed Dec 21, 2018).

Last year, Waldrop was able to defeat Apple's motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California.

"Those two cases involve very interesting technology with broad application," Waldrop said. "They have tremendous importance not only for the plaintiffs but for the defendants who are using our technology."

The Roku case, he added, also "has the potential to be the first patent trial before Judge Alan D. Albright in the Western District of Texas, so many people will be watching it. ... That's a tremendous opportunity for us to be one of the first firms to be really involved in this new and popular jurisdiction."

Waldrop said the key to his firm's success is its diverse team.

"My team, I believe, is one of the most diverse -- if not the most diverse -- team in the Valley," he said. "Two African American partners, a woman partner, a white male partner... we don't care what you look like or where you're from as long as you are effective."

"I think that is huge ... to my clients," Waldrop added. "Because diverse teams offer perspectives that help you in trying cases."

-- Jessica Mach