DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC

International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337)

5 ranked lawyers

Band 2

USA - Nationwide

USA 2022 View ranking table

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department information

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What the team is known for

Formidable Section 337 litigation group that includes former ITC lawyers. 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. Vast experience advising clients on trial strategy, procedural requirements and issues concerning discovery.

Work highlights

Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel represented Amphenol as complainant in a patent infringement claim concerning electrical connectors before the ITC.

Notable practitioners

Barbara Murphy has impressive experience in representing domestic and foreign clients in Section 337 investigations and related customs issues.
"Barbara is phenomenal and a great person to work with; she has got a lot of ITC specific experience which stands her out." "She is well known, well respected and an extraordinary person with wonderful judgment."

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 sector.
"David is a very good local counsel who is pragmatic and understands the business aspects of things."

David Foster maintains a longstanding reputation as a go-to attorney on Section 337 disputes. He offers significant expertise in representing prominent clients involved in trade secrets and patent infringement cases.

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.

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

Department Information

This content is provided by Foster, Murphy, Altman & Nickel, PC.

Overview

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