You have won multi-million-dollar victories in federal courts across the United States. How do you manage client relationships, particularly when the stakes are so high?
Our approach to managing client relationships in high-stakes litigation is rooted in thorough preparation and strategic foresight. Before filing, we create a comprehensive roadmap for the entire case and identify the issues that will likely be the most challenging. We anticipate arguments from our opponents and develop robust counterstrategies. This process ensures that our clients are well informed about likely developments and potential challenges from the outset. It also helps clients to set realistic expectations about outcomes and timelines.
In your view, what is the biggest threat to keeping trade secrets secret, and how would you go about mitigating this?
A significant threat to maintaining the confidentiality of trade secrets relates to their disclosure during collaborations, which are particularly important for smaller companies that wish to accelerate the process of bringing technologies to market. Even with safeguards like non-disclosure agreements and restricted access, the potential for catastrophic consequences from unauthorised use or disclosure to a third party remains high.
To mitigate these risks, we carefully structure the collaboration to minimise the sharing of sensitive information. Also, we advise our clients to collaborate with reputable companies in jurisdictions where legal remedies and judgment enforcement are both feasible and effective. Additionally, we keep up with global political and economic changes that can affect the stability and fairness of the relationship. This forward-thinking approach ensures that we not only protect our clients’ trade secrets but also strategically choose collaboration environments that uphold the integrity of those protections.
What has been your biggest professional challenge to date, and how did you overcome it?
Building Avantech Law has been a formidable professional challenge. Establishing a next-generation firm in today’s dynamic legal environment requires a diverse, world-class team that is adept at managing high-stakes matters and seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology into their workflows. This requires each individual to possess a blend of legal acumen and technological prowess that is rare in the legal industry.
Our approach to growth adds another layer of complexity. We focus on organic growth, meticulously selecting team members who uphold our standards of excellence and contribute to our culture of continuous improvement. This deliberate approach ensures that our foundational values and quality of service remain uncompromised as we expand.
How would you characterise the patent licensing landscape at present, and what advice you would give to those looking to secure a licence in the United States?
The licensing landscape is as complex and challenging as ever, requiring deep strategic and legal insight. For patent owners aiming to secure a licence in response to infringement, a significant investment on the front end is essential. Success requires thorough analysis to substantiate infringement claims and the creation of materials, such as detailed claim charts to demonstrate your seriousness and readiness to negotiate to the alleged infringer.
For licensing in the context of technology commercialisation, alignment with the potential licensor’s business objectives is crucial. You must clearly demonstrate how your technology will enhance their operations and provide substantial benefits. Be prepared to showcase a working prototype that can be seamlessly integrated into the licensor’s products. It is important to ensure that the prototype is ready for rapid deployment, as potential licensors will often be unwilling to invest in your technology if they have already dedicated resources to their own R&D efforts.
As a partner at Avantech Law, what characteristics do you look for in a world-class patent team?
At Avantech Law, we focus on several key qualities when assembling our team. We value strategic acumen and the ability to understand the broader business implications of our work, ensuring that our strategies are perfectly aligned with our clients’ long-term objectives. Additionally, collaboration is a high priority at Avantech, so we seek individuals who thrive in dynamic, interactive environments.
A key differentiator at Avantech is our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology in our practice, particularly through the integration of AI into our workflows. This emphasis on technological proficiency boosts our efficiency, enhances collaboration and improves the outcomes that we deliver to our clients. We have made substantial investments in advanced tools and their integration across our entire firm. As such, being adept with current technologies has become essential and will be an integral part of being a future leader in the legal field.