Global Japan Practice

Robert Benson Partner

Orange County; Taipeh

For more than three decades, Robert Benson has dedicated himself to helping clients resolve their most challenging legal disputes and prevail in high-stakes patent litigation. As the leader of Orrick's Taiwan practice, Robert blends his commitment to serving others with his legal acumen, creativity, integrity, and collaborative leadership to attain the best possible results for his clients.

Robert has handled a wide range of commercial and intellectual property litigation in federal and state courts, litigated Section 337 investigations before the ITC, represented both patent owners and petitioners in PTAB proceedings, obtained injunctive relief, and argued before the Federal Circuit. He has handled both offensive and defensive patent licensing and litigation, and has implement strategies that incorporate inter partes review and reexamination proceedings. Robert has a long track record of success in matters involving semiconductors, graphics processing, mobile devices, computer hardware and software, LED technology, medical devices, and countless other products and consumer electronics.

Since 2017, Robert has led Orrick’s Taiwan practice. In Chambers Global 2023, Robert is the only attorney ranked in the U.S. for Intellectual Property – Foreign Expert for Taiwan. Global corporations headquartered in Asia trust him to navigate the unique issues, claims, and defenses that arise in multinational litigation and cross-border disputes. Please click here to read his bio in Simplified Chinese.

Robert’s commitment to service extends beyond his professional clients. Over the past 25 years, Robert established programs in Asia, Africa, and North and South America that provided full-time custodial care for hundreds of abandoned or abused children and then enabled them to attend universities and launch their careers. He is the founder of Arms of Love International, a charitable organization that operates family-based homes for children permanently separated from their families, and Love Forward, a program that provides a higher education for women who have transitioned out of orphanages, crises centers, and other residential programs. In his book, Love Forward, Robert shares the life stories of some of the young women and men who grew up in the Arms of Love homes, together with his personal story, to encourage and inspire others in their own endeavors. In recognition of his service, Orrick awarded Robert its Community Responsibility Award in 2017.

Yufeng (Ethan) Ma Partner

Shanghai

Yufeng (Ethan) Ma, a partner and the chief representative in Orrick’s Shanghai office, has over 18 years of experience assisting clients in intellectual property (IP) related matters including IP litigation before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and the US federal courts.

In addition to specializing in complex IP litigation relating to patent infringement, ITC 337 investigations, trade secrets misappropriation and unfair competition, Ethan has extensive experience advising clients on IP administrative disputes and reexamination, IP strategies, IP due diligence, and IP aspects of strategic transactions, including licensing or transfer, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and collaborations. His clients cover a wide range of industries, including medical devices, hardwares, softwares, internet, semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, AI, automobile, chemical, materials, energy, etc. His recent clients include Baidu, Tencent, SMIC, JD.com, Micro-Tech, Vivo, Coolpad, Anker, OnePlus, Govee, LANHE, Lovense, Zhejiang Rongpeng, Sansi Electronic Engineering, Yaham Optoelectronics, CreateLED Electronics, Howshow Technology, Huayi Mechanical and Electrical, INFiLED Electronics, Applied Materials, Synopsys, Coilcaft, Hecate, etc.

Over the years, Ethan has represented dozens of Chinese companies in resolving their IP disputes in the U.S. Ethan and his litigation teams won a number of high-profile ITC investigations involving Chinese companies and earned clients’ long-term trust. In one investigation (337-TA-623), his clients are four subsidiaries of a large state-owned company in China, who were sued for patent infringement. The Commission reversed the late Chief Administrative Law Judge’s unfavorable decision and found that Ethan’s clients were not infringing and did not violate Section 337. In another investigation (337-TA-655), he represented the complainant and its subsidiaries in China suing a group of Chinese respondents for trade secret misappropriation. The ITC issued a 10-year exclusion order against these respondents. This landmark decision represents a new development of trade secret law and ITC jurisdiction in the U.S., and was upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Since then, Ethan has won case after case on behalf of his clients. He is also committed to resolving disputes in the most cost-effective and timely way. “Ethan always tries to resolve matters for clients at the lowest cost possible,” said a client who won a case as he recommended Ethan to his peers.

For instance, in 2017, Ethan successfully defended Shenzhen Howshow Technology against Kent Displays, Inc. in an ITC 337 investigation (337-TA-1035) involving alleged infringement of patents relating to liquid crystal e-writers and components. Orrick secured a complete victory for the client by forcing the complainant to unconditionally withdraw after four months of active litigation. The case was named “Deal of the Year 2017 – Disputes and Investigations” by China Business Law Journal.

In another case, Ethan successfully defended Sansi Electronic Engineering, CreateLED Electronics, Yaham Optoelectronics. and other Chinese respondents against Ultravision Technologies in an ITC Section 337 investigation (337-TA-1114) filed on 27 March 2018 involving alleged infringement of patents relating to certain modular LED display panels and components. The complainant was forced to withdraw the complaint unconditionally during the expert discovery period in November 2018, which led to a final termination by the ITC on 21 February 2019.

Prior to joining Orrick, Ethan served as Director of IP, Asia of a world leader in specialty glass and ceramics, where he was in charge of the company’s daily IP matters in China and throughout Asia. Before that, he was a partner and member of the Board at McAndrews, Held & Malloy in Chicago, Illinois. Ethan was the first non-US born lawyer of that firm.

In the past 20 years, Ethan has been committed to building bridges and facilitating understanding between China and the US on IP protection and exchange. In addition to being a frequent speaker at various seminars and conferences in China and the US, Ethan regularly publishes articles and has been interviewed by numerous media. He served as a committee member of the Asian Legal Committee of Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) for many years.

Ethan is also actively involved in the “One Belt One Road” and “Going Out” initiatives led by the PRC government and non-profit organizations. He participated in Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce’s “Going Overseas Service Portal” project, and acts as an expert of Shenzhen Overseas IP Protection and Assistance Expert Pool, a special advisor to Wisdom IP - Overseas Intellectual Property Alliance (WIPA), Nanjing, Jiangsu, an expert in Nanjing Overseas IP Think Tank, Zehjiang Dongyang IP Think Tank, Shanghai International Economic and Trade IP Protection Overseas Expert Pool, and one of the first batch experts in Shanghai Overseas IP Disputes Resolution Expert Pool.

Jie Jeffrey Sun Partner

Shanghai; Peking

Jie (Jeffrey) Sun, a partner in Orrick’s Shanghai and Beijing offices, is a member of the Corporate Group. Jeffrey represents Chinese and international clients from multiple industries, including technology, renewable energy, life sciences, financial services and consumer/retail, in a broad range of M&A, capital markets and corporate matters.

Jeffrey has extensive experience representing both Chinese enterprises in fund raising and investing abroad and foreign investors investing in China.

He regularly represents issuers and underwriters in the U.S. and Hong Kong public securities offerings, including initial public offerings (IPOs) and Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings for PRC-based companies.

In addition, he is experienced in handling complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, strategic alliances, joint ventures and regulatory compliance matters for numerous foreign investors and Chinese companies. He also counsels global private equity funds on their investment activity throughout Greater China and across Asia.

Some clients he has represented include Bright Food, JD.com, Trina Solar, China Sunergy, Perfect World, ReneSola, Tudou, Pactera Technologies and some international investment banks and private equity funds.

Jeffrey is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer for China M&A by prestigious legal publications such as Chambers Asia, Asia-Pacific Legal 500 and IFLR1000. Clients recognizes him as “an excellent business partner, above his legal counsel role”, who “gives practical advice not only based on legal proficiency, but really helpful for our business”.

Prior to joining Orrick, Mr. Sun worked with a major international law firm, and he was a former partner in a local law firm based in Shanghai.

Xiang Wang Partner

Peking; New York; Shanghai

Dr. Xiang Wang is the Partner-in-Charge for Asia and the head of China IP and Data Privacy & Cybersecurity practices, splitting his time between three offices: Shanghai, New York and Beijing, where he is the Managing Partner.

Xiang is a Guiding Expert of the China Overseas IP Dispute Response & Guidance Center.

He also serves several consultancy roles for local regulatory authorities, including as IP Guiding Expert of Shenzhen IP Protection Center; IP Guiding Expect of Zhejiang Province IP Protection Center; IP Consultant of Technology Innovation Bureau of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area Management Committee (Jiangsu Province); Expert of IP Dispute Investigation and Appraisal of Foshan Market Supervision and Administration Bureau (Guangdong Province); and Expert for Overseas IP Protection and Assistance of Foshan Intellectual Property Bureau (Guangdong Province).

Xiang has extensive experience in assisting local and foreign-based multinational companies with all aspects of their IP rights in the U.S. and China, including IP litigation and arbitration, patent infringement, industrial espionage, trade secret misappropriation, copyright and trademark infringement, ITC Sec. 337 investigations, patent office proceedings including inter partes reviews (IPR), IP due diligence and portfolio counseling, technology export control, mass torts and product liability, securities litigation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other investigations and compliance. These matters have implicated a vast array of technologies, from software and electronics to renewable energy and medical devices as well as agricultural and building materials, to name just a few.

Xiang also works extensively on cybersecurity investigations and data privacy compliance matters for both Chinese and international clients.

Xiang has been particularly active in Chinese state-owned enterprises related U.S. litigation. Clients turn to his strategic and innovative advice thanks to his in-depth understanding of their business needs and political risks. Clients appreciate that he “understood the environment in the China legal system and can give nuanced advice”.

Xiang has developed the region’s premier IP practice based on his reputation as one of the few IP lawyers who has a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering, a Juris Doctor, a Chinese Certificate of Laws, and admission to practice law in New York, Indiana and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Due to its success in patent disputes in the United States and China, involving both foreign and Chinese companies, Orrick IP team was exclusively featured in a documentary film “Patent Wars” by the China Central Television (CCTV).

Xiang is highly regarded for his practical legal advice that results from more than ten years of experience at medical and electronic device businesses before becoming a lawyer. He also has received four U.S. medical-technology patents in his name.

John Bautista Partner

San Francisco; Santa Monica; Silicon Valley

John Bautista, a member of Orrick's Technology Companies Group, leads Orrick's international Technology Companies practice connecting Silicon Valley with Europe and Asia.

John focuses his practice on advising emerging companies and investors, and represents both public and private high-tech and life sciences companies in many areas, including corporate and securities law, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, public company representation and technology licensing.

The Recorder named John the “2019 Innovator of the Year” for his work as the chief lawyer on the Long-Term Stock Exchange, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission-approved exchange designed to change the paradigm of traditional stock markets by rewarding entrepreneurs and investors committed to long-term business strategies. Financial Times recognized John as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Individuals of the Year in 2017, calling him “one of the most influential lawyers in the technology ecosystem of Silicon Valley.” He is ranked Band 2 by Chambers USA California, for Venture Capital and Chambers USA Nationwide, ranked him Band 3 for Startups & Emerging Companies.

John is a Board member and co-founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, which is creating a new stock exchange for public companies supporting long-term investors, as well as an advisor and co-founder of Clerky.com, a company automating legal work for early-stage companies. He is also recognized for his work with Y Combinator companies.

Prior to joining Orrick, John was a founding attorney of Venture Law Group and served on the Executive Committee. John previously practiced at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati. John also served as Mayor of the City of Cupertino, California and a council member from 1993-1997, where he helped build important public partnerships, including with Apple Computer, the Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve, and San Jose and California Water Companies.

Peter Bicks Partner

New York

Peter Bicks is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and co-head of the firm’s Global Litigation practice. Clients repeatedly turn to Peter for their most challenging, high-profile business disputes -- ranging from products liability to intellectual property to multi-billion dollar commercial matters on the eve of trial. Over the course of his career, he has proven he can win at trial in any forum, ranging from state court juries across the country to the International Trade Commission.

In recognition of Peter’s career trial work, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2015. Juries have compared him favorably to Johnnie Cochran and F. Lee Bailey. Clients laud Peter, telling Chambers USA 2020-2022, “He’s a standout trial lawyer and an outstanding advocate overall. He appreciates the client’s needs and advocates for them everywhere.” Another client notes, “He is brilliant in the courtroom under the most intense pressure,” “a master of seeing the full chessboard.” That praise is echoed by sources saying, Peter is “one of these lawyers that really turns big cases; he’s a real trial lawyer,” and calling him “one of the most gifted trial lawyers that I have ever seen.” Clients go on to applaud his trial experience and strategic approach saying, “Peter really knows his way round a courtroom. He's a great trial tactician.” “He is an outstanding advocate who appreciates the client's needs and reputational questions involved.” A peer in the trial bar told Law360, “What is most impressive is his ability as a true Field General – calmly directing his team’s efforts.”

With precedent-setting trial wins in commercial, mass tort, and product liability litigation, Peter has amassed honors from annual top rankings in Chambers USA, Legal 500, and Benchmark Litigation, to awards for excellence, such as New York “Litigation Star,” “Law360 MVP,” “Litigator of the Week,” and “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America.”

It is Peter’s versatility that sets him apart. He brings a combination of deft courtroom skills, strategic acuity and team leadership. In May 2022, when faced with a headlining trial over control of the leading international model and talent company, Elite Worldwide Group, the company and its Chairman tapped Peter as lead trial counsel to parachute in just 45 days before trial. Our complete trial win for the client earned Peter and the team Litigators of the Week Runner-Up honors from the American Lawyer. Louis Dreyfus Company turned to Peter recently as lead trial counsel once they saw that a massive, high stakes trial was on the horizon with over $1 billion at stake amid class action claims alleging manipulation of the cotton futures market. DISH Network brought Peter in shortly before trial when the FTC and various state attorneys general sought $700 billion in damages and penalties for alleged telemarketing violations. He achieved an astounding trial victory for DISH limiting recovery to less than one percent of the exposure. For Johnson & Johnson, Peter has been part of a small group of market-leading outside counsel overseeing the defense of more than 15,000 talc-related cases, including product liability trials, consumer class actions, and cases brought under California’s Prop 65; handling multiple trials, SEC, DOJ, and AG investigations; and representing senior executives in major depositions, at trial, and before Congress.

Peter serves as co-head of the firm's Global Litigation practice and is a former member of Orrick’s Board and Management Committee. Before joining Orrick, Peter was a partner at Donovan Leisure. He captained his college tennis team to a national ranking, has successfully competed in major national sailboat competitions, and serves on the Board of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program. With his wife Linda, he has three children: Avery, Isabelle and Phoebe.

Joseph A. Calvaruso Senior Counsel

New York

Joseph A. Calvaruso is a partner in the Intellectual Property group in the New York office. Joe, a veteran intellectual property lawyer focusing on patent litigation, has extensive experience at the trial and appellate levels.

Joe also has litigated cases involving trademarks, trade secrets, false advertising, antitrust and unfair competition. In addition, Joe has extensive experience as lead counsel in Inter Partes Reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Known for his candid approach and formidable courtroom style, Joe has the trust of his clients and the respect of the bench. As a veteran patent litigator, he can distill complicated facts into precise strategies that often resolve matters by summary judgement, saving his clients valuable time and expense.

As one client put it, "Joe Calvaruso is exceptional, his work has been truly excellent." (Legal 500) Another client offered: "He's like a defenseman on a hockey team or an NFL linebacker - tough as nails. But he's always fair and a good person on your side to or go up against. He just gets the technology as well." (IAM 1000) Intellectual Asset Management ("IAM") rates Joe as a "practical commercial lawyer, he has talent for resolving disputes early, together with the courtroom skills to prevail at trial...."

Joe’s diverse experience includes consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, optical equipment, medical devices, semiconductor devices and fabrication, and financial services.
His demonstrated ability to translate complicated topics to judges and juries is a valuable asset particularly appreciated by his international clients. Joe uses the same clear and practical approach to help non-English speakers understand intricate legal issues.

Harry Clark Partner

Washington, D.C.

Harry Clark is leader of Orrick’s International Trade & Investment team. He advises major companies and industry associations on a variety of international trade and investment rules.

Harry is experienced in areas such as CFIUS/Exon-Florio examinations of foreign investment, military and “dual use” export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department (OFAC), customs regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering rules, anti-boycott requirements and defense industrial security requirements. He executes internal corporate investigations regarding trade and investment rules and advises on such rules in the context of corporate transactions.

Additionally, Harry has extensive experience with government contracting matters. His government contracting work has included, for example, design and implementation of U.S. Defense Department renewable energy projects. He also represents broad industry coalitions on major trade litigations and international negotiations. His experience in these areas includes a leading role in what is often considered the largest-ever international trade dispute: the controversy regarding unfair softwood lumber imports from Canada. It has involved myriad administrative proceedings before federal agencies, NAFTA panel appeals, WTO dispute proceedings, judicial proceedings and international settlement agreements.

Harry has represented a coalition of major U.S. oil companies in antidumping and countervailing duty litigation. As a related matter, he pursues policy issues with congressional and executive branch officials and advises on international trade rules (e.g., GATT, WTO agreements and NAFTA).

Chambers 2022 recognizes Harry as a leader in the field of export controls and economic sanctions (Chambers Global and Chambers USA), as well as CFIUS (Chambers USA). Previous editions have also recognized Harry’s achievements regarding his work related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Clients note that Harry provides “accurate, straightforward guidance incredibly efficiently” and “he has an ability to translate complex legal requirements and rules into business-friendly jargon.”

Peter Connors Partner

New York

Peter Connors, a tax partner in the New York office, focuses his practice on cross-border transactions. He also has extensive experience in related areas of tax law, including financial transactions, corporate reorganizations, renewable energy investments and controversy matters. He also leads the Orrick's Section 45Q practice relating to the tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration.

According to Chambers, his peers state that Peter is “an outstanding international tax practitioner” who is admired for the strength of his activity in the field of cross-border transactions and is ”an excellent lawyer who has a diverse practice.” According to Legal 500, “Peter Connors is well-versed in terms of the taxation of financial products and financial institutions.”

Peter serves as President of the USA Branch of the International Fiscal Association. From 2020 to 2021, he was President of the American College of Tax Counsel. He now serves as chair of the College’s Amicus Brief Committee and on the ABA Tax Section’s Distinguished Service Award Committee.

Before joining Orrick, Peter was a principal in the International Tax Services Group of Ernst & Young in New York.

A prolific author, with over 150 published articles on tax-related subjects, Peter is considered a thought leader in the field of taxation. He is co-author of T.M. Portfolio 543 -2d (”The Mark to Market Rules of Section 475") and the author of T.M. Portfolio 909-3d (”The Branch-Related Taxes of Section 884 “).

He has been recognized by every edition of Best Lawyers in America since 2015.

Sten Jensen Senior Counsel

Washington, D.C.

Whether handling an ITC or district court trial, Sten Jensen brings exceptional focus and precise execution to his work. 

Sten routinely guides clients such as FUJIFILM and Panasonic through the minefields of the ITC. Sten also has long-standing relationships with attorneys in the ITC’s Office of Unfair Import Investigations, developed when he served on the Executive Committee of the ITC Trial Lawyers' Association. Sten’s credibility with this group, combined with his thorough knowledge of the ITC’s speed and complexity, gives his clients a distinct advantage.

Sten has also represented clients in more than 50 federal patent cases, including cases in the top five venues for patent infringement filings. He has particular experience in Delaware, where he served as a judicial clerk for former District Court Judge Roderick McKelvie. Sten has defended numerous corporations against claims filed by aggressive patent trolls, and his cases have protected a wide range of technologies, including integrated circuits, semiconductors, optical disk drives, digital cameras, printers, and other consumer electronics products.

Sten has frequently lectured on intellectual property issues facing companies in the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. He is widely praised by clients for his dedication, knowledge, and skill in guiding them through discovery, merits, and settlement issues. Sten is listed as a recommended lawyer by The Legal 500 USA for patent litigation, and he is ranked by Chambers USA for IP Litigation with clients commenting that “he gave us great ideas and advice, and negotiated very hard for us.”

Jeffrey Johnson Partner

Houston

Jeffrey Johnson resolves complex commercial and IP litigation for the high-tech, energy and life science industries. Jeffrey earned his reputation as a first class litigator in the Eastern District of Texas, one of the nation’s toughest jurisdictions. Known for extricating clients out of multi-faceted litigation with creative settlements, he now represents clients throughout the country and in Asia.

Jeffrey manages all aspects of litigation from discovery to arguing motions and Markman hearings to trial. He has also been Lead counsel on both IPR and CBM actions and argued IPR hearings. Jeffrey’s diverse experience allows him to efficiently and effectively manage all types of cases. Depending on each client’s specific business objective, he can compose a lean team to quickly resolve a minor matter, or lead a massive joint defense group across multiple jurisdictions. 

With his doctorate degree in chemistry and engineering and his prior work as a scientist, Jeffrey brings a robust understanding of technical issues. Jeffrey has litigated matters concerning in a variety of technologies, including:

• High-tech: semiconductor technology, integrated circuits, Internet protocols and security software, fuel cells, adhesives, telecommunications, handsets, and distributed systems
• Energy: liquefied natural gas, gas-to-liquids, hydrocarbon recovery, well completion, wireline, downhole tools, drilling equipment, drilling muds, proppants, coriolis flowmeters, mud additives, mineralogy, chemical processing and polymer chemistry
• Life Sciences: pharmaceuticals, medical devices, DNA sequencing and software 

John MacKerron Senior Counsel

New York

John MacKerron, a lawyer in the New York office, is a member of the Structured Finance Group.  The focus of his practice is in securitization transactions and derivative financial products, with an emphasis on acting as counsel to the sponsors of, and other participants in, various municipal bonds repackaging programs.  A partner in the firm for 20 years, John served in various capacities on the firm's leadership team during that time, including two terms as a member of the Executive Committee.

Richard F. Martinelli

New York

Rich Martinelli develops comprehensive IP strategies which resolve immediate legal needs and safeguard long-term business objectives. He handles all aspects of intellectual property, particularly patent litigation, patent prosecution and client counseling.

He has litigated patents at trial, before the ITC, and on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Rich has counseled clients and rendered opinions on patent validity, infringement and freedom to use. He is a registered patent attorney with experience drafting patents and practicing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Rich’s patent work has involved a wide range of technologies including image processing, 3d graphics, audio / video compression, computer hardware and software, e-commerce, network technologies, digital rights management and encryption.

Rich also helps companies address the novel litigation and transactional IP issues that arise when developing and working with AI and is a frequent lecturer on these topics.

Daniel Mathews Partner

New York

Dan manages a leading practice in project development, acquisitions, divestitures and financings in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is global co-head of Orrick's Infrastructure Group and currently co-chairs the Chairman’s Advisory Board.

His key clients include major strategic and financial sponsors who have been involved in many of the largest and highest profile PPP and project development transactions over the past 25 years. Dan advises clients on Public-Private Partnerships, large-scale, complex project financings, and acquisitions and divestitures of projects and project portfolios, leading a team that has the depth and breadth to deliver excellence in every phase of a project, including development, construction, financing and operations, as well as providing leading M&A, restructuring and tax advice.

Dan has long been recognized as a leading practitioner in publications such as Chambers (every year since 2005), The Legal 500 and others. Clients describe him in Chambers as a “dean in the PPP space,” the “best in the business” and added that “he has an encyclopedic memory about all the deals in the market and a negotiating style that solves problems rather than creating them.”

Dan advises on projects spanning the infrastructure sector, including toll roads, rail, airports, ports, thermal and renewable energy generation, transmission infrastructure, telecommunications infrastructure, and water and waste facilities.

Denise Mingrone Senior Counsel

Silicon Valley

Experienced litigator Denise Mingrone enforces and protect clients’ technology rights. She approaches each challenge on multiple fronts so as to achieve success whether it be in or out of court.

No stranger to the courtroom and having handled complex litigations for technology giants including Synopsys, Brocade, Applied Materials and Oracle, Denise seamlessly and efficiently manages large teams to secure victory. Clients appreciate her transparent collaboration and instinct for developing a strategy that ensures the right evidence is presented in the best manner.

The jury verdict Denise’s team obtained in the Netgear v. Ruckus Wireless patent trial, for example, surprised most because the team took over the case just weeks before jury selection, earning the number one place on that week’s “Top Jury Verdicts.” Prior to the Ruckus trial, Denise’s team similarly received accolades as “Top Verdict of the Year” for its jury win on behalf of Brocade against A10 Networks involving patent and copyright infringement. These victories were preceded by a trade secret win for MGA in the “Barbie v. Bratz” epic battle against Mattel, which earned Denise the “California Lawyer of the Year” award for her contributions.

In addition, Ms. Mingrone has led numerous software piracy matters, obtaining full relief whether through negotiation or litigation. Her work in this area encompasses both confidential as well as public investigations, all designed to ensure clients secure the protection of their intellectual property rights and receive appropriate relief when those rights are infringed.

As a former law clerk to several federal judges, Denise appreciates that cases do not turn on facts alone. She has waged and won numerous courtroom battles both obtaining and defending pre-trial injunction motions. As one opponent noted, “She’s a fierce advocate who will go to the mat for her client’s position.”

William Molinski Partner

Los Angeles; Santa Monica

William Molinski is a member of the Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. An experienced trial lawyer, Bill has represented corporate clients and individuals in a wide variety of commercial disputes with a particular emphasis in the areas of trade secrets, and other intellectual property disputes, consumer class actions and real estate disputes.

Bill routinely handles complex cases that can have a significant impact on a company's reputation and survival. His clients include major players in the technology, financial services and energy sectors as well as the entertainment and pharmaceutical industries.

Bill was named Litigator of the Week in November 2022 by The American Lawyer for his jury trial win for the NCAA in the first ground-breaking concussion case against the NCAA, a victory that was also named the Top Defense Trial Verdict of 2022 by the Court Viewing Network Bill was named Litigator of the Week in November 2022 by The American Lawyer for his jury trial win for the NCAA in the first ground-breaking concussion case against the NCAA, a victory that was also named the Top Defense Trial Verdict of 2022 by the Court Viewing Network. Bill was named Litigator of the Week in November 2022 by The American Lawyer for his jury trial win for the NCAA in the first ground-breaking concussion case against the NCAA, a victory that was also named the Top Defense Trial Verdict of 2022 by the Court Viewing Network. Bill was recognized in the 2016 edition of The Legal 500 for his work defending DISH Networks against copyright and breach of contract claims brought by four broadcast networks, a win that led to Orrick's recognition as "Litigation Department of the Year" by The Recorder. He was named a "California Lawyer of the Year" in 2011 by California Lawyer magazine as a member of the team representing MGA Entertainment in its "stunning victory" against Mattel over the Bratz doll line, which the Daily Journal called a "top defense win" of 2011.

John Narducci Partner

New York

John Narducci is a partner in the New York office and the leader of the firm's Tax Practice Group in New York.  John's practice focuses on the tax aspects of securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, transactions in the energy market, financings, derivatives, as well as a broad range of other transactions.

John has extensive experience in stock and asset acquisitions, including tax-free reorganizations. He has represented purchasers, sellers and lenders in structuring acquisitions and negotiating the tax aspects of stock purchase and asset purchase agreements. Many of these acquisitions involved cross-border transactions.

Working with issuers, underwriters and investment funds, John has advised clients on numerous securities offerings, including securitization transactions, tender option bonds and high yield debt. Such offerings involved issuers in more than 40 countries.

John regularly works on the restructuring of transactions, including structured financings, project financings and energy and infrastructure projects. He advises on the tax planning aspects of such transactions.

Mr. Narducci has been involved in the development of tax-efficient financial structures, particularly in the cross-border context. For example, he has created tax-efficient structures for several investment funds. He also advises several financial institutions with respect to derivatives transactions, including the tax aspects of ISDA Master Agreements.

He also works with regulated and unregulated participants in the energy market on financings and a wide range of other transactions. Some of these transactions involve rural electric cooperatives.

John also advises on the tax aspects of pass-through entities, project financings and a broad range of other matters. He worked on the sovereign debt restructurings of Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Croatia, Nigeria, Poland and Vietnam.

T. Vann Pearce, Jr. Chief Practice Officer, IP & Litigation and IP Counsel

Washington, D.C.

Vann Pearce is a trial lawyer representing leading technology companies in patent infringement and related litigation and disputes. He has been lead counsel in more than 20 matters, including matters with tens to hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, for clients including publicly traded U.S., Japanese, and European companies.

Since 2022, Vann also has served as the Chief Practice Officer for the firm's IP & Litigation Business Units. In this role, Vann advises on strategic planning, operations, and management of Orrick’s IP, Employment, Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, and Supreme Court & Appellate practice groups, which comprise nearly 400 attorneys globally. His responsibilities include oversight of the units' financial performance, business planning and execution, and lawyer recruiting.

He also counsels clients on patent licensing and portfolio development, particularly for companies developing 3D printing-related technologies. Vann co-founded Orrick's 3D printing practice.

Vann previously served as the firm’s U.S. Law School Hiring Partner, overseeing entry-level hiring nationwide.

Joseph Perkins Partner

Silicon Valley

Joseph Perkins advises technology companies and venture capital investors with a focus on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and NFT companies, as well as Japanese technology clients in their growth journeys.

In the fast-paced and unprecedented blockchain and cryptocurrency markets, Joseph helps companies develop innovative and comprehensive legal strategies to achieve their goals of bringing to market disruptive and transformative technologies. From DAO and NFT creation, general corporate and fundraising strategies, to navigating complex and changing regulatory regimes, Joseph has become a go-to advisor for companies in the blockchain and virtual currency ecosystem.

As a member of Orrick’s Technology Companies Group, Joseph assists cutting-edge technology companies and investors with general corporate counseling, private venture capital financing, and M&A services. Joseph has had the opportunity to work with some of the most iconic companies in Silicon Valley, advising on corporate strategy and fundraising matters.

Joseph also leads Orrick's international Technology Companies practice connecting Silicon Valley with Japan. He represents a number of technology companies and investors based in Japan, bringing his Silicon Valley experiences to assist founders and corporate venture capital funds. Joseph is fluent in Japanese and retains a strong connection to Japanese companies and our Tokyo practice.

Steven J. Routh Partner

Washington, D.C.

Having tried more than 30 cases over the past four decades, Steve Routh has built a reputation as a master strategist and courtroom advocate. In recognition of his accomplishments, since 2007 he has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, widely considered the premier professional trial organization in America.

Steve knows how to minimize risk while delivering a client’s business objective, either by defeating an opponent’s case in court or by negotiating the best possible settlement. His ability to pinpoint the argument that will resonate with each judge and jury has enabled him to protect cutting-edge technology involving medical devices, automotive components, telecommunications standards, digital and 3D imaging, guest engagement systems, and semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes. He has also used those same skills in litigating numerous antitrust, unfair competition, and complex tort and contract cases.

For the last 20 years, Steve has focused on guiding Japanese and other Asia-based companies through patent litigation before the U.S. District Courts, ITC and Federal Circuit. He is one of only two lawyers ranked in the Chambers Global guide for having Foreign Expertise in Intellectual Property for Japan. Steve consistently has been described as a “great negotiator who is excellent at creating litigation strategy.” Clients recently interviewed by Chambers also noted, “Steve is a really fantastic tactical thinker with good legal instincts. He is also very collaborative.” Other clients have stated that “his command of the law is evident in his ability to understand it and also apply it across a wide variety of situations,“ while still others have praised his ability to make “very quick and sound tactical decisions.”

Mark Seneca Partner

Silicon Valley

Mark Seneca is a Corporate partner and co-leads Orrick's M&A and Private Equity Group. He has dedicated his legal career to the M&A specialty, with experience in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions transactions involving both public and private companies in domestic and cross-border deals.

Mark has a particular focus on the technology sector, having led hundreds of buy-side and sell-side transactions involving prominent high-tech serial acquirers, unicorns and venture back companies. His sell-side work involves multiple acquisitions by Google, Facebook, Salesforce.com, VMware, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Adobe, Yahoo! and Twitter. These deals include his high profile work for Mosaic ML on its US$1.3 billion acquisition by Databricks, Cruise Automation in its acquisition by General Motors, Nest Labs in its US$3.2 billion acquisition by Google, and Instagram in its US$1.0 billion acquisition by Facebook, which was ranked one of the top 10 largest valued private tech M&A deals in the U.S. in 2012. In an interview with Bloomberg Law for a “Rainmakers” episode, Mark provided a substantive analysis of the Instagram deal, including its industry precedent and influence (click here).

On the buy-side, Mark has served as lead M&A counsel for top public company acquirers (Yelp, Google, Yahoo! and Intellisync) as well as private company serial acquirers (Stripe, Pinterest and Social Finance).

Caroline Simons Partner

Boston; New York

Caroline Simons is a litigator and trial lawyer who defends technology companies in high-stakes litigation, often at the seams where intellectual property and data meet. Her interdisciplinary experience enables her to problem-solve and guide her clients through crises, defend them in high-stakes litigation, and manage enterprise risk strategically, effectively, and efficiently.

Caroline focuses her practice on disputes in the technology space. She has particular experience representing tech and consumer-facing companies in litigation that involves protecting the intellectual property, brand, and reputation of her clients, including litigating and developing strategy around fast-evolving issues such as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, trademark and trade dress infringement, cybersecurity and data privacy litigation, and trade secret theft or misappropriation. Caroline also has advised clients in cyber incident response, including crisis management, government and internal investigations, and government enforcement. Her experience gives her breadth of perspective and allows her to work with her clients to make swift and pragmatic decisions to effectively manage their reputational, legal, and financial risks. Clients appreciate Caroline's ability to engage, listen to, and connect with witnesses, company stakeholders, and factfinders -- both inside and outside the courtroom -- to achieve meaningful results.

Richard Smith Partner

San Francisco

Richard Vernon Smith, a partner in our San Francisco office and a member of our Global Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Group, has over 38 years of experience in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities law and corporate law.

Richard has advised on more than 500 M&A transactions and has represented clients in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions transactions involving public and private companies, including negotiated mergers, auction bid processes, cross-border transactions, distressed asset sales (including 363 sales), leveraged buyouts, tender offers and exchange offers, going private transactions, SPACs and reverse mergers, mergers of equals transactions, going dark transactions, hostile takeovers, proxy contests, takeover and activist defense, purchases and sales of divisions and subsidiaries and joint ventures. He co-authored a1,500-page book by Bloomberg, Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately Held Companies: Analysis, Forms and Agreements.

Richard also has represented clients in a wide range of SEC-registered, underwritten and privately placed stock and debt offerings, and he has assisted companies in connection with issuer tender offers (both equity and debt), recapitalizations, restructurings, share repurchase programs, and rights offerings. He regularly represents clients in the preparation and filing of periodic SEC reports, proxy statements and Williams Act reports. He also advises clients on compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 and JOBS Act; reporting under and compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; disclosure and reporting issues; sales of restricted securities and sales of securities by insiders; universal proxy cards; and NYSE/NASDAQ rule compliance and inquiries.

Stephen Thau Partner

New York; Silicon Valley

Stephen Thau is co-chair of the Life Sciences Group at Orrick and is a partner in the firm's Technology Companies Group. He is a strategic advisor to life sciences and technology companies, guiding them through various milestones of their life cycle.

Stephen’s practice focuses on the representation of life science, medical device, health IT, and other technology companies in transactional matters, including public and private financings, licensing, collaborations and strategic alliances, and mergers and acquisitions. He also represents venture capital firms in public and private financing transactions.

Stephen is recognized as a Leading Life Sciences Lawyer by LMG Life Sciences in their 2021/2022 rankings and short-listed as Venture Capital Attorney of the Year. He has served as a member of the Board of Tech Council of Maryland, the leading technology and life science association in that state, and of BayBio, Northern California’s leading life sciences association. Stephen is a frequent speaker on venture capital financings and served on the faculty at the 2005 and 2007 Emerging Entrepreneurs workshops at Stanford University.

Prior to joining Orrick, Stephen was a partner at Morrison & Foerster, Venture Law Group and Heller Ehrman. He began his legal practice as a litigator, focusing on securities and intellectual property. ;He also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Vaughn R. Walker in the United States District Court in the Northern District of California. Stephen graduated Order of the Coif from Stanford Law School, where he was managing editor of the Stanford Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in Biology.

 

L. Mark Weeks Senior Counsel

New York

Mark Weeks is a Senior Counsel in Orrick’s M&A and Private Equity Group. He has practiced in New York and Tokyo for more than 30 years and served as office leader of Orrick’s Tokyo office from 2007 to 2017.

He concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, clean technology, life sciences, IT and telecommunications asset transfers, strategic investments, and general corporate representation for U.S., Japanese and other Asian companies.

Mark speaks, reads and writes fluent Japanese.

A. Paul Zarnowiecki Partner

Washington, D.C.

Paul represents sponsors, investors, utilities and other strategic participants in corporate and project finance transactions, primarily in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He also serves as the Office Leader for Orrick's Washington, DC office.

Transactions on which Paul has advised include the development, financing, acquisition and divestiture of renewable and conventional power projects and other infrastructure assets in a broad range of commercial and corporate transactions. He has served as lead counsel on some of the most innovative and complex U.S. renewable energy transactions in recent years in both the wind and solar energy sectors.

George Rigo Partner

Paris

George Rigo is an M&A lawyer, based in Orrick’s Paris office. Specializing in corporate law, he is devoted to advising European and Asian industrial groups and holding companies on their mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, notably in the sectors of energy, food and car manufacturing, and services.

George also has experience on acquisition finance and restructuring matters. 

George has a very strong proficiency in the renewable energy sector, working alongside major players in the market and advising on key projects in France. George mainly advises on the financing and acquisition of windfarm and solar projects, lately he has counseled 123 Ventures, Impax, Nord LB and EOS Holding on different transactions.

George’s extensive experience on cross-border transactions includes negotiating and drafting international contracts or commercial partnerships with an emphasis on litigation issues succeeding the implementation of such agreements. Recently, George has advised Biostime, a Chinese manufacturer of nutritional and baby care products, listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, regarding the signature of an industrial and commercial cooperation agreement with a French dairy cooperative.

Before joining Orrick, George was an associate with Watson, Farley & Williams. He previously worked for Fidal Peat International Paris and the Paris office of Proskauer Rose.