Fish & Richardson has been named the number one most active law firm at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for 2014. Fish represented clients in 154 proceedings – more than any other firm – and also ranked as the most active firm representing petitioners at the PTAB.

Inn a release, the firm said the analysis, conducted by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) magazine, noted that 2014 was “by far” the record year for filings at the PTAB, with 1,677 inter partes review, covered business method review, and post-grant review petitions listed in the Docket Navigator database between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

“Fish brings a potent combination of technical know-how, patent prosecution skills, and litigation savvy to the PTAB,” said Karl Renner, co-chair of Fish & Richardson’s Post-Grant Practice Group.

Read the story.

In an article published in the ABA’s Law Technology Today, CEO Ned Gannon of eBrevia explores why litigation has reaped many benefits of technological innovation, while corporate law, particularly transactional contract review, has remained largely untouched by high tech — until now.

According to Gannon, “Due diligence and contract management are significant cost drivers in corporate law, making this an area that would particularly benefit from the efficiency of technology.”

eBrevia automates the contract review process by using machine learning technology. The company’s products, which leverage artificial intelligence research from Columbia University, are used by law firms and corporate legal departments to more efficiently, accurately, and cost effectively extract and summarize key provisions from legal documents. Applications include due diligence, contract management, lease abstraction, and document drafting.

Read the article.

Kilgore Law has posted an article by Bob Goodman titled “Employment Law and Drone Surveillance, What We Have to Look Forward To, A Work of Fiction.”

It was easier before the Supreme Court reconsidered its 2015 decision that drone surveillance by private employers of their employees was not illegal because it was not governmental, the article says. Now, in 2018, according to the Supreme Court, there had to be some reason to believe an employee was doing something against the employer’s interest to justify drone surveillance of that employee. That was a low standard, about as far from probable cause as you could get, but it still required a form to be filled out for any drone surveillance, even if it only involved the employee’s office or cubicle, and not also following the employee around all day and into his home.

The heaviest requirements were, in fact, imposed when a drone to follow the employee home was at issue.

Read the article.

A federal court jury in Marshall, Texas, found in favor of Rembrandt IP in a patent infringement case, finding that Samsung’s Bluetooth-enabled products, including its most popular cell phones, tablets, and televisions, infringe Gordon Bremer’s patents.

The patents relate to compatibility between different types of modems, and connect to a string of applications going back to 1997. The first version of Bluetooth was invented by Swedish cell phone company Ericsson in 1994.

Bremer stands to get 2.5 percent of the $15.7 million verdict [PDF] won by his employer, Rembrandt IP, one of the oldest and most successful “patent trolls,” reports Ars Technica.

Read the story.

Digital Music News has posted a list of 17 mistakes your public relations person could make that would give you good cause to order that person’s dismissal.

The list starts with “They aren’t creating a compelling, heartwarming story that works.” From that relatively mild complaint the list gets into more egregious sins, such as “They threaten journalists” and “They let you sue journalists.”

Some of the reasons are aimed at the music industry, but most of them have application in the broader world of business.

Read the story.

For companies dealing with foreign bribery accusations, making peace with the government is bad enough. But increasingly, taking the blame for foreign corruption allegations brings the added threat of civil liability, reports The Wall Street Journal‘s Risk & Compliance Journal.

An increasing number of related civil suits are coming out of corporate corruption cases.  Those civil suits are being filed on behalf of investors who say they have been harmed by their company’s alleged misconduct overseas. These lawsuits are usually unsuccessful, but they corporate counsel’s decisions on how much they should disclose possible misconduct to the U.S. Justice Department.

“FCPA-related lawsuits claim that by failing to prevent foreign bribery, top executives have hurt shareholders,” the report says. “The suits are often filed soon after news breaks that a company is conducting an internal investigation into allegations that its employees bribed foreign officials, even when few facts have been established.”

Read the story.

CobbleStone Systems, a leading provider of contract management software, announced it has launched enhanced multi-language support for Contract Insight Enterprise Edition. The latest version of Contract Insight Enterprise offers optional multi-language support for dynamic menu items and fields for international users.

“CobbleStone has been providing contract management software for organizations around the world that allows them to better track, manage and automate the full contract lifecycle,” the company said in a release. We understand the importance of collaboration between international divisions, and our software now offers the ability to support each user comfortably.”

The release continues:

CobbleStone Systems Corp. is a leader in user-friendly, enterprise contract lifecycle management software solutions. CobbleStone has been a best-of-breed vendor since 1995, provides the benefit of years of experience, is a Federal GSA vendor, is rated by Gartner and Dun & Bradstreet, and offers one of the most feature-rich products on the market.

Complete product information, feature comparisons, and 30-day trial signups can be found at www.CobbleStoneSystems.com

Free online demos can be obtained by calling 866-330-0056 or scheduled at http://cobblestonesystems.com/ContactUs.aspx

About CobbleStone Systems

CobbleStone Systems is based in New Jersey, USA, and has been providing contract lifecycle management solutions since 1995. CobbleStone Systems also offers software solutions for electronic signature, eSourcing (RFx/Bid) management, Purchase Order management, contract public access (Freedom of Information Act), client collaboration management and general committal management.

An “app-centric” approach to contract review and approval brings immediate transparency to the process, reports Onit Inc. in a white paper now available for download.

The white paper addresses why tools like email and spreadsheets fall short, why traditional approaches are not sustainable, how Apps are reinventing the contract review and approval process, and why Apps are the wave of the future.

On its website, Onit says multiple parties are often involved in the review, approval and negotiation of a contract. Unfortunately, there is limited visibility into the process. Business owners typically rely on email for status updates but it is very difficult to know:

• Who is reviewing the contract
• Who has the latest version
• What is the next step
• What is the deadline and expectations

Download the white paper.

Energy drink brands certainly appear to be giving their IP strategies wings in 2015. Both Red Bull and its competitor Monster Drinks have been taking an enthusiastic approach to protecting their respective trade marks. However, the legitimacy and reasonableness of their disputes has again raised the issue of aggressive litigation tactics and trade mark bullying, reports Primary Opinion on its website.

Last year, Brand Finance’s annual study Global 500 gave Red Bull the AAA+ rating – “one of only eleven brands including Google, Hermès, Coca-Cola, Disney, Rolex and” Ferrari to be granted the top “benchmark of the strength, risk and potential of a brand relative to its competitors,” noted Anita Brown of Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick. With such a massive global presence, it’s understandable that the company takes a stimulated approach to brand protection.

However, Red Bull’s aggressive “trademark enforcement strategy” is “too strong, according to some.” In 2014, it attracted “a strong public reaction” when it threatened British brewery Redwell with legal action if it used its mark for energy drinks.

On Jan. 28 the company filed a Notice of Opposition against an American brewery’s “application to register its OLD OX BREWERY mark in connection with beer, ale, lager, stout and porter. Red Bull claims that the OLD OX BREWERY mark is likely to create confusion with its RED BULL mark.”

Read the story.

When hydrofracturing of a shale-gas well occurs, millions of gallons of water is injected deep underground at high pressure. Normally, only a fourth to a fifth of that volume flows back above ground. Where does the rest of it go?

That’s the topic of a free, Web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension‘s Marcellus Education Team, now available on-demand.

The webinar, “The Fracking-Water Nexus: Issues Encountered by Industry,” features Terry Engelder, Penn State professor of geosciences and a leading authority on the shale-gas play. He discusses research on residual treatment water in shale-gas development and production.

Watch the on-demand webinar.

McDermott Will & Emery has prepared a white paper on energy-related provisions in his recently released budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year.

President Obama’s proposal for the 2016 fiscal year repeats many of his past energy-related tax proposals, including a permanent extension of the renewable energy production tax credit and a provision making it refundable, the report says.

The firm’s report is a summary of the key energy-related tax provisions contained in the budget proposal and discussed further in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s general explanation of the proposal.

Download the report.

Christian G. Stahl, member of Quarles & Brady Intellectual Property Group

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that the firm has selected Chicago partner Christian G. Stahl to be a member of the 2015 class of Fellows and participate in a landmark program created by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.

“This is a singular honor for Christian,” said Ted Yi, Chicago office managing partner in a release. “He joins a select group of experienced attorneys from diverse backgrounds who have been recognized for their potential as leaders in their organizations.”

The release continues:

According to LCLD President Robert J. Grey, Jr., the LCLD Fellows Program offers participants “an extraordinarily rich year of relationship-building, virtual and in-person training, peer-group projects, and extensive contact with LCLD’s top leadership.”

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a growing organization of more than 220 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. The LCLD Fellows program, which has trained more than 600 mid-career attorneys since 2011, is one of LCLD’s most important initiatives. For information, visit www.lcldnet.org.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady is a full-service law firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Dom Savaiano of Wilson Elser

Paul Bozych of Wilson Elser

National law firm Wilson Elser hired distinguished Chicago trial attorneys Partners Dom Savaiano and Paul Bozych along with their six-member team.

Formerly of Clausen Miller, the team includes partners Bradford Krause, Elizabeth Grover, Jack Murphy, associate Erin Schreiber, and two support-staff professionals.

In a release, the firm said:

The acquisition of this team adds momentum to Wilson Elser’s growing Midwest presence. Recently, the firm added three Midwest offices in Milwaukee, the Detroit suburb of Novi and Edwardsville, Illinois.

“We take great pride in having such an accomplished team of trial attorneys and litigators join Wilson Elser,” said Daniel McMahon, Wilson Elser chairman. “Dom and Paul are known for their keen ability to handle the most complex matters. Our clients seeking representation in all practice areas and geographic regions will benefit from their vast courtroom experiences and their ability to resolve the most complicated matters at trial or through alternative, cost-effective measures.”

Wilson Elser’s new team, led by Savaiano and Bozych, has handled more than 120 trials with a nearly 100 percent success rate. They have established a prestigious reputation throughout North America and globally, particularly in Canada, London and Asia.

The team is adept at counseling and defending corporations, business entities, individuals and insurance companies in all facets of litigation and with claims of all kinds. Team members are known for their ability to handle complex claims and are routinely retained to take over difficult cases prepared by other firms that are set for trial.

Recognized as a leader in the legal community, Savaiano was elected as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a select national organization of trial attorneys whose common qualities include professionalism and a high degree of trial and litigation skill, knowledge and experience. He is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Society of Trial Lawyers. Among his many accolades is an AV Preeminent^®  rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 1993, selection as a “Leading Illinois Attorney” and a “Leading American Attorney” by the American Research Corporation and being named a Super Lawyer since 2005.

Additionally, Savaiano has taught trial advocacy, and he serves on the editorial board of the Journal of American Law.

Savaiano earned his J.D. degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he served on Loyola University Chicago Law Journal and the National Trial Advocacy Team. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Illinois.

Bozych earned a BV Distinguished^® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an honor differentiating lawyers from the competition. He also frequently lectures on trial advocacy. Bozych is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar. Additionally, he is active in Midwest Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the St. Petronille Parish in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Bozych earned his J.D. degree with highest honors from DePaul University College of Law, where he was editor of the DePaul Law Review, and his B.A. degree from the University of Illinois.

Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing offers a free guide to aid with preparation of business executives for depositions, titled “The Executive Guide to Depositions.”

The guide offers such practial tips as number three: “Steer Clear of Innuendo.” On that tip, the guide says, “Executives might be tempted t0 aim disparaging comments at the opposing side during a deposition. Avoiding this urge can be difficult when opposing counsel is peppering an executive with questions designed to impugn his or her credibility, competency and intellect. But resisting the temptation can prevent depositions from careening into chaos.”

Some of the other tips include how to handle ego, the importance of practicing, the lesson that depositions are not normal conversation, and more.

Download the guide

A North Texas landowner has won a $445,365 judgment against an electric power delivery company after his land lost value when an easement was taken for a high-voltage electric transmission line.

The judgment signals a win for other Texas landowners whose properties are being targeted as power line companies flood the Public Utility Commission (PUC) with applications seeking approval for similar transmission lines, the firm said in a release.

The release continues:

The recent dispute represents a fundamental debate: How much does a high-voltage power line easement, with its tall towers and unsightly appearance, reduce the value of property it crosses? A Wichita County jury agreed that an entire parcel was worth less, not just the land taken for the easement.

“This judgment sends a clear message. Texas landowners should understand that they have a constitutional right to collect fair damages when power lines lower the value of their land. Landowners only get one opportunity to recover, but the easements remain forever,” says Austin-based eminent domain attorney Luke Ellis of Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP, lead trial counsel for the property owner.

The dispute began in 2011 when Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC sued Edward Clack to gain 33.6 acres of easement on his Burkburnett property for a 345,000-volt power line, the highest-voltage lines built in Texas. The Oncor easement, 160 feet by 1.7 miles, bisected Clack’s property. Oncor initially offered him less than $55,000 before raising the offer to nearly $140,000.

After a three-day trial in Wichita County Court at Law No. 1, jurors awarded Clack $393,165, the full amount he requested. On Feb. 12, Judge Gary Butler entered a judgment of $445,365, which includes interest and court costs. Oncor may appeal.

The case is Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC v. Edward Clack, No. C-330-E.

Over the past year, the PUC has received new power line applications affecting Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, South Texas, San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country.

Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP, a trial and appellate boutique with offices in Austin and Houston, focuses on representing landowners in eminent domain proceedings, commercial litigation, probate and appeals.

General Motors Co. on Thursday named Craig Glidden its new top lawyer, after earlier saying general counsel Michael Milikin would retire in July, reports The Detroit News.

Glidden’s appointment will be effective March 1.

The position puts him at the head of a team of staff attorneys who are integrated into all of GM’s regional and functional teams in more than 30 countries.

“The legal job is highly important to the Detroit automaker as it faces investigations by the U.S. Justice Department, 49 state attorneys general, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian officials,” The News reports. “It also faces hundreds of lawsuits tied to the ignition switch defect.”

Read the story.

Gordon & Rees presents a free on-demand webinar on the nationwide trends and hot topics in prevailing wage and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) claims; best practices for compliance; and practical strategies to reduce risks.

Government contractors often face unique employment issues, especially in the areas of wage and hour and safety. Things become more complicated with overlapping spheres of regulatory control on the local, state, and federal level, the firm says on its website.

The firm’s labor and employment attorneys provided a roundtable discussion on the nationwide trends and hot topics in prevailing wage and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) claims; best practices for compliance; and practical strategies to reduce risks.

Watch the on-demand webinar.

Colt’s Manufacturing has settled multi-million claims by the company’s former general counsel and an ex-vice president who said they were wrongly dismissed during a fierce fight among stockholders for control of the company, according to a report in the Hartford Courant.

The settlement headed off a trial that was set to begin on wrongful termination suits against the gun manufacturer and two stockholders by former Colt’s Manufacturing Co. Vice President Merrick Alpert of and General Counsel Carleton Chen.

Alpert and Chen won a succession of pretrial victories over the last year, The Courant said, including a court order in April that told Colt’s to set aside $3.8 million to pay the two, had a jury ruled in their favor.

Read the story.

Icertis Inc. and the International Association of Contract and Commercial Management present a free on-demand webinar  on the impact of collaboration on the effectiveness of contracting.

“Today, there is a significant focus on improving the quality and availability of information for managing contracts. IACCM research shows that the level of collaboration [internal and external] and visibility has a direct impact on the effectiveness of contracting, especially when things go wrong,” Icertis says on its website. “Addressing these organizational concerns, automation systems are increasingly providing analytics and collaboration functionalities that result in enhanced risk management capability versus being driven by terms and condition compliance.”

This webinar explores these characteristics and the extent to which an improved and holistic view of contract information can contribute to proactive compliance management and effective contract risk reduction.

Watch the on-demand webinar.

Emergency plans for natural disasters are not enough – businesses need to plan specifically for illness, says Allied Barton Security Services in a free on-demand webinar.

To reduce the impact of a viral outbreak on your business, it is important for organizations to begin continuity planning for infectious disease now, the company says.

The webinar can help participants develop widespread disease prevention strategies, build an illness management team, formalize your illness preparedness and response plans, and communicate your efforts internally and externally

Watch the on-demand webinar.