Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP

Managing Partner: Mark W Hetzler
Number of partners: 40 Number of lawyers: 46
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Taiwanese

Firm Overview:
Founded in 1859, Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP is a respected leader in intellectual property law. Focusing only on IP matters, Fitch Even offers the high level of technical competence and legal skills needed in this increasingly complex area of law, along with a tradition of providing outstanding, personalized service. The firm is adept at obtaining strong global IP rights and managing global IP portfolios, successfully navigating the intricacies of the varying legal systems involved. The firm’s extensive trial experience informs the entire practice. It regularly handles IP and technology-related litigation, with a reputation for delivering outstanding returns on the litigation investment. Fitch Even offers a full range of services to help clients leverage their assets by developing strategic licensing, investment, and other business relationships important to diversification and growth.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Advertising, Marketing and Promotions
Copyrights
Entertainment and Media
International IP Protection
Internet and Domain Names
IP Litigation
IP Portfolio Management
IP Strategy Development
IP Transactions
Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Product Clearance and Legal Opinions
PTAB Trial Practice
Reissue and Reexamination Proceedings
Trademark and Brand Protection
Trade Secrets

IP Litigation:
Fitch Even’s deep experience, strategic approach, vigorous advocacy, and proven trial capabilities have led to a stellar track record of success against top legal teams from the largest US law firms. It has handled cases involving patent infringement, trade secret theft, breach of license, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, unfair competition, antitrust, and other disputes. The firm’s litigation teams are led by accomplished trial lawyers with significant experience at the trial court and appellate levels. Litigators’ technical backgrounds and patent bar credentials provide the specific mix of legal and technical capabilities needed for each case. The firm regularly represents small and midsized plaintiffs against larger defendants, and has successfully defended infringement cases involving substantial damages exposures through jury verdict and appeal. Fitch Even is nationally recognized for its extensive experience providing sophisticated representation in all types of USPTO patent post-issuance proceedings.

Patent Practice:
Fitch Even lawyers prepare and prosecute patent applications with a clear focus on the larger business objectives of the invention and a keen understanding of the legal principles governing effective patent enforcement around the world. The firm works with clients to develop and exploit strong, defensible patents at each stage—from patent office approval, to monetization in a strategic venture or licensing arrangement, to effective enforcement against infringers. Lawyers are skilled at moving challenging cases through the patent offices, with significant experience navigating complex post-patent issuance procedures. Fitch Even counsels clients regarding IP risk management, provides solid validity and infringement opinions, and offers in-depth product clearance analysis, and freedom-to-operate studies.

Trademark & Brand Protection:
Fitch Even lawyers counsel clients on branding strategies and the initial selection of a mark or design, conduct extensive trademark availability searches, and provide opinions. The firm manages portfolios with hundreds of marks and assists clients in aggressively policing and exploiting their marks globally. Fitch Even lawyers know the unique procedural requirements of opposition proceedings, having participated in hundreds of oppositions worldwide to protect clients’ rights. The firm also offers comprehensive services supporting copyright protection and enforcement involving a wide range of traditional to cutting-edge media.

IP Transactions:
Fitch Even lawyers support, structure, and negotiate complex commercial transactions involving IP, including technology licenses, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, patent sales, and litigation-assisted patent licensing. Working closely with the client, Fitch Even approaches each transaction with a keen understanding of the scope and value of the asset involved and the benefits and potential pitfalls of various transaction structures. Proficient in the strategic use of litigation to drive licensing efforts, the firm achieves favorable results for clients in a variety of licensing campaigns. Its patent analysis and enforcement capabilities can better position a portfolio for sale or licensing at attractive valuations.

Clients:
Fitch Even represents clients ranging from individuals, small businesses, and start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations, universities, hospitals, venture capital firms, and research institutions. The firm has helped numerous high-profile clients protect and exploit innovations in mechanics, electronics, chemistry, advanced materials, physics, computer and software technology, biotechnology, food and agricultural sciences, internet and e-commerce, energy, and other areas. The firm’s client base is geographically diverse, spanning the globe. Fitch Even supports clients worldwide through an established network of highly competent associates in over 100 countries.

OFFICES  

ILLINOIS
CHICAGO: 120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, IL 60603-3402
Tel: 312 577 7000 Fax: 312 577 7007 Email: [email protected]

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, DC: 1250 23rd Street NW, Suite 410, DC 20037
Tel: 202 419 7000 Fax: 202 419 7007

CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES: 20929 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 47403, CA 91364
Tel: 818 296 9669 Fax: 312 577 7007
SAN DIEGO: 9330 Scranton Road, Suite 350, CA 92121
Tel: 858 552 1311 Fax: 312 577 7007
SAN LUIS OBISPO: 100 Cross Street, Suite 203A, CA 93401
Tel: 805 548 1800 Fax: 805 980 3483