Biography
Chris has extensive experience representing clients in patent disputes related to highly technical and complex technology. Chris has served as trial counsel in numerous patent infringement lawsuits in various jurisdictions, including the Western District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, the Northern District of California, the United States International Trade Commission, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Chris has served as first chair trial counsel in two major patent infringement cases tried to a jury. Chris has also served as first chair trial counsel in appeals to the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. In addition to having first chair experience, Chris has been involved in all phases of patent litigation, including initial case assessment, discovery, and arguing claim construction and dispositive motions. Chris’ litigation experience has covered a wide array of technologies, including:
- Ethernet
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- cloud computing
- video graphics
- wireless networking
- GPS
- fixed rotary drill bits
- reflective insulation
Chris also has experience representing clients in Texas trade secret cases and has assisted in seeking temporary restraining orders and in resolving cases through mediation.
In addition to litigation matters, Chris has extensive experience in patent counseling and prosecution, including prosecution of international patent applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Representative technologies include:
- computer architecture and systems
- telecommunications
- wireless technologies
- computer networks
- semiconductor manufacturing processes
- video display systems
- real-time data solutions
- measurement-while-drilling (MWD) solutions
- mechanical devices
Chris also advises clients on intellectual property acquisition, divestiture, licensing, and enforcement issues.
Education
B.S.E.E., magna cum laude, Texas A&M University
J.D., cum laude, University of Houston Law Center
MBA, University of Houston
Basic Mediation Training, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center, University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas, 2002
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
United States Patent and Trademark Office
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Supreme Court
Over the past 15 years, Chris has successfully represented clients on both sides of the patent litigation docket. Representative cases include:
- ESW Holdings, Inc. v. Roku, Inc. (Western District of Texas – Waco Division) – Obtained a complete defense jury verdict for Roku, Inc. in what started as a five-patent infringement case. Prior to trial, the Court granted Roku’s summary judgment motion of no infringement as to two of the five patents. Another patent was dismissed with prejudice. After a four-day trial on the remaining two patents in which the plaintiff sought $228 million in damages, the jury returned a verdict of no infringement for both patents and found invalidity on the one patent challenged by Roku. Plaintiff was awarded no damages.
- Chrimar Systems, Inc. et al. v. ALE USA Inc. (Federal Circuit and Supreme Court) – On behalf of defendant ALE USA Inc. in a patent infringement case involving standardized Power-over-Ethernet technology obtained a complete defense victory following two Federal Circuit appeals and a request for rehearing en banc; Chris was co-lead counsel for ALE in defending against a petition for writ of certiorari, which the Supreme Court denied on June 29, 2020.
- Gryphon Oilfield Sols., LLC v. Stage Completions (USA) Corp. et al. (Southern District of Texas – Houston Division) – On behalf of defendant Stage Completions successfully defended against a motion for preliminary injunction. The case proceeded through claim construction and the case settled after Stage Completions obtained favorable constructions.
- Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. v. Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, LLC (Federal Circuit) – On behalf of appellant Packers Plus successfully argued that the PTAB’s Written Decision should be vacated and remanded for further proceedings.
- Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, LLC v. Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. (Federal Circuit) – On behalf of appellee Packers Plus obtained affirmance of the PTAB’s Written Decision invalidating all challenged claims.
- Exacta Frac Energy Services, Inc. et al. v. Paul Bernard Lee (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) – On behalf of Petitioners in two inter partes reviews invalidated all challenged claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,187,989 and 9,869,163.
- Chrimar Systems, Inc., et al. v. Alcatel-Lucent, Inc., et al., Case No. 6:15-cv-00163 (E.D. Tex.) – On behalf of defendant ALE USA Inc. in a patent infringement case involving Power-over-Ethernet technology, obtained judgment as a matter of law that there was no willful infringement and a jury verdict favorable on damages.
- Promethean Insulation Technology LLC v. Sealed Air Corporation, et al., Case No. 2:13-cv-1113 (E.D. Tex) – Represented plaintiff in a patent infringement lawsuit involving reflective insulation technology. The case was favorably settled after trial.
- U.S. Ethernet Innovations, LLC v. Acer, Inc., et al., Case No. 4:10-cv-03724 (N.D. Cal.) – Patent infringement lawsuit involving Ethernet technology. Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement. The Federal Circuit affirmed the district court’s ruling.
- In the matter of Certain Devices With Secure Communications Capabilities, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same, ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-858 – Represented respondent in a patent infringement investigation involving secure communication networks. Investigation was dismissed after claim construction hearing.
- In the Matter of Certain Devices with Secure Communication Capabilities, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same, ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-818 (2011-2012) – Represented respondent in a first patent infringement investigation involving secure communication networks. Case was successfully terminated for lack of standing.
- ReedHycalog UK, Ltd., et al. v. Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations. Inc., et al., Case No. 6:06-cv-222 (E.D. Tex.) – Represented plaintiff and counter-defendant, ReedHycalog, in a patent infringement lawsuit involving fixed rotary drill bit technology. The case was favorably settled.
- Zoltar Satellite Alarm Systems, Inc. v. LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, et al., No. 5:06-cv-00044 (N.D. Cal.) – Represented inventor’s company in a patent infringement lawsuit involving GPS technology in mobile telephones. The case was favorably settled.
Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2012
Hot Topics in IP Litigation: Litigating Patent Venue post-TC Heartland and Negotiating Licenses post-Impression Products, October 10, 2017 Jackson Walker
Business Method Patents – An Overview of Selected Topics, July 12, 2004 Vinson & Elkins
Sovereign Immunity as a Defense to Intellectual Property Infringement, Feb. 10, 2003 Vinson & Elkins
- Hon. Nancy F. Atlas IP American Inn of Court
- Houston Bar Association
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association
- Houston Intellectual Property Law Association