About

Provided by Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC

Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC, is a boutique law firm located in Washington, DC. Relying on 40 years of experience, the firm concentrates its practice on Section 337 investigations before the US International Trade Commission (ITC), as well as judicial review and Customs’ enforcement of orders issued thereunder. Such litigation involves primarily patent, trademark, and copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. The firm represents both domestic and foreign companies as complainants and respondents in these fast-paced, often bet-the-company investigations. In their small, boutique firm setting, Foster Murphy lawyers are able to provide the high-level of experience, judgment and litigation skills for which they are known in Section 337 matters. This Section 337 firm is at the forefront of those who practice at the ITC’s intersection of intellectual property and international trade law. The group’s lawyers have deep experience in a variety of related bodies of law and litigation forums, as well as that gained from serving in senior government positions. The firm continues to partner with other law firms (typically larger IP or litigation firms) on Section 337 matters, creating litigation teams that are both successful and efficient for clients.


Main Areas of Practice:

-ITC Section 337 Litigation

-Intellectual Property Litigation

-International Trade Regulation

-US Customs Border Enforcement



Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) - USA - Nationwide

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC has a formidable Section 337 litigation group that includes former ITC lawyers. It works closely with IP counsel to handle complex patent, trademark and copyright disputes across a wide range of industries and technologies, including electronics, consumer goods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, among many others. It has vast experience advising clients on trial strategy, procedural requirements and issues concerning discovery.

Work Highlights

  • Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel represented Advanced Micro Devices in two investigations against Respondent Realtek in a Rule 177 Proceeding before the Exclusion Order Enforcement Branch of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

S
James B Altman
S
Senior Statespeople
James Altman has a broad Section 337 practice encompassing customs enforcement matters and ITC trial work. He is called upon by a varied client base that includes manufacturers and technology companies.

James know so much about this space.

James is totally great.

1
Barbara A Murphy
1
Band 1
Barbara Murphy has impressive experience in representing domestic and foreign clients in Section 337 investigations and related customs issues.

Barbara is an exceptional practitioner.

She knows how to really steer people in right direction.

Barbara is amazing; she knows everything.

3
David F Nickel
3
Band 3

David Nickel focuses his practice on handling Section 337 investigations, including patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation cases for clients in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.

He combines incredible knowledge of the ITC with exceptional judgement on how to litigate cases.

David is a top ITC practitioner.

I love working with Dave.

U
Matthew Duescher
U
Up and Coming

Matthew Duescher has experience in assisting clients with Section 337 investigations. He works with both domestic and foreign clients.

Matt has great attention to detail. 

Matt has incredible attention to detail.

He has an encyclopedic knowledge of 337 law.

Ranked Lawyers at
Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337)

S
James B Altman
S
Senior Statespeople
1
Barbara A Murphy
1
Band 1
3
David F Nickel
3
Band 3
U
Matthew Duescher
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC