5 October 2009 – LawFuel.com – Law Newswire Service – Nine members of an intellectual property practice group headed by Alan Albright, formerly of Fish & Richardson, are joining Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s Austin office.
In addition to Albright, the group includes partners Ed Cavazos, Michael Chibib and Barry Shelton, and associates Betty Chen, Andrew Gajkowski, David Hoffman, Chris Johnson, and Josh Tucker. Albright, Cavazos, Shelton, Gajkowski, and Johnson joined the firm effective October 1, 2009. Chen joins the firm effective October 6; and Tucker joins the firm on October 12. Chibib and Hoffman will join the firm upon completion of an on going International Trade Commission (ITC) matter.
“This is a very well-respected and highly sought after group of IP attorneys,” said Bracewell managing partner, Mark Evans. “We have been looking for high level IP litigation talent to further expand this practice area, and the addition of this group presents a very unique opportunity.”
“Alan and his team bring expertise in the technology sector, first-chair trial experience, and a reputation as fierce competitors in patent litigation matters,” said Glenn Ballard, head of Bracewell’s trial section. “They will make a great addition to our litigation group.”
Associate members of the team bring law clerk experience at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and at the United States District Court.
“We are pleased to be joining forces with Bracewell’s booming IP practice—it’s a nice complement to our unique, technology-driven team of litigators,” added Alan Albright.
Members of the team also bring a diverse set of capabilities to support the transactional needs of technology clients worldwide. “With this group, we have enhanced the firm’s ability to serve technology clients across a full spectrum of legal needs, including venture capital, technology transactions, IP counseling, licensing and other strategic IP-driven business deals” said Greg Bopp, head of Bracewell’s corporate section.
Bracewell has been expanding its intellectual property practice over the past two years, most recently adding high-profile national trademark enforcement and brand protection attorney, John C. (Rocky) Rawls III and patent attorney Wayne E. Webb (both in 2009); and Todd D. Mattingly, a former patent examiner in the US Patent and Trademark office and litigator Michael D. Pegues (both in 2008).
The firm’s current intellectual property practice and lawyers have been ranked among the top nationally by such authorities as American Lawyer Media, Chambers and Partners USA, The Legal 500 U.S., and PLC Which Lawyer? For four straight years, Bracewell & Giuliani was named the top Houston law firm by leading industry publication Trademark Insider Report.
Attorney bios
Alan D. Albright is the former managing principal of Fish & Richardson’s Austin office. He has experience in semiconductors, in addition to IP, patent and complex commercial litigation. Albright has served as United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Edward A. Cavazos represents technology clients in the Internet, software, hardware and semiconductor sectors as well as the interactive entertainment and video game industries. His practice focuses on representing clients in general business and corporate transactions and in complex technology-related deals involving intellectual property. Cavazos also is an experienced litigator, having represented clients in patent, trademark, trade secret and general commercial litigation cases.
Michael Chibib’s practice emphasizes IP litigation in U.S. District Courts and before the International Trade Commission in the areas of semiconductors, telecommunications, electronics, and software. He also has experience in IP portfolio counseling. Chibib has a B.S. in electrical engineering.
Barry K. Shelton is nationally recognized for his work on wireless security issues. His practice emphasizes patent litigation, jury trials and administrative proceedings before the U.S. ITC in the areas of electrical engineering, computer software, computer networks, and semiconductors. Shelton has an M.S. in electrical engineering and a B.S. in electronics.
Betty H. Chen’s practice focuses on patent litigation and complex commercial litigation. Previously, she was a law clerk to the Honorable Ron Clark, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (2006-2008) and a judicial intern for the Honorable William Wayne Justice, United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (2005).
Andrew Gajkowski’s practice focuses on technology, media, entertainment and other IP-related deals, where he counsels clients on licensing, venture capital, IP strategy and general corporate matters.
David M. Hoffman lends strong experience in patent litigation, patent procurement and patent portfolio management. His practice emphasizes patent cases involving semiconductor devices and computer hardware/software before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and district courts. Additionally, Mr. Hoffman has numerous years experience in patent prosecution as both an associate and a patent agent. Hoffman has a B.S. in electrical engineering and B.A. in liberal arts.
Chris Johnson focuses on patent and intellectual property litigation. He has an M.S. in chemical engineering and a B.S. in paper science and engineering. Mr. Johnson was a law clerk to the Honorable Alvin A. Schall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Josh Tucker’s practice emphasizes ITC litigation and patent prosecution. Previously, he was a Process Engineer at Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
About Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is an international law firm with more than 450 lawyers in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Dubai, Kazakhstan, and London. We serve Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading private investment funds, governmental entities, and individuals concentrated in the energy and financial services sectors worldwide.
