
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets
USA Guide 2026 : California
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Morrison Foerster
Morrison & Foerster is an IP powerhouse, representing clients in their complex patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, and IP transaction matters. Clients come to us for our ability to combine market-changing IP experience with scientific and technical expertise on a global scale.
We are adept at resolving disputes short of trial, but when cases do see the inside of a courtroom, the prowess of our litigators is second to none. Our 125 IP litigators include top trial and appellate lawyers in the U.S. and Asia. Meanwhile, our global patent prosecution group is the largest of any general practice firm, with 65 Ph.D. in technology and life sciences.
Chambers Review
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Morrison Foerster obtained summary judgment for NeoGenomic Laboratories in connection with a ruling invalidating all asserted Natera patent claims under 35 U.S.C. ยง 101 and dismissing the action with prejudice.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Morrison & Foerster is my go-to firm for high-stakes litigation. I can always count on them when I am facing a particularly challenging legal battle.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAWe were told that Morrison & Foerster were the strongest team to deal with our copyright defense matter. They have lived up to that by winning repeatedly. They have an excellent understanding of tech-heavy cases.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAIt is hard to imagine a better sense of service and responsiveness. Whether online, on calls or in person, Morrison & Foerster gives unerring attention, even on short notice.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAMorrison Foerster boasts sheer intellectual horsepower backed by a deep bench of experience.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAMorrison Foerster is a top-tier firm with excellent attorneys and a focus on high-quality work.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 
Catherine Polizzi
Catherine Polizzi is a deeply experienced lawyer who is held in high regard for a practice that includes patent portfolio management and development and IP counsel in the context of substantial life sciences transactions. Catherine Polizzi is extremely knowledgeable and experienced.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSACatherine Polizzi is the best in the business.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Daralyn J Durie
Daralyn Durie is a widely respected patent litigator who is regularly called upon to represent high-profile Silicon Valley tech and pharmaceutical businesses in litigation throughout the US. Daralyn Durie is very sophisticated about the litigation process and can come up to speed on the commercial issues at play in the litigation.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSADaralyn is an excellent attorney.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSADaralyn Durie has a stellar reputation. We need more people like her in the field.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Joseph C Gratz
Joseph Gratz is held in high regard for the experienced handling of copyright-related disputes. He frequently represents leading technology companies. Joe Gratz is a national leader on copyright and technology issues, combining litigation expertise, deep substantive knowledge and a knack for pragmatic counseling. He is absolutely top-notch.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Ragesh K Tangri
Ragesh Tangri has a wealth of experience advising clients on trade secrets disputes and trademark matters for an array of household-name companies. Ragesh Tangri is a brilliant analyst, tactician and strategist.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Janet Xiao
Janet Xiao is regularly called upon by biotechnology companies to advise on patent prosecution and strategy. Dr Xiao is pivotal in shaping our patent strategy. Her profound insight and ability to transform our innovative concepts into patentable assets is commendable.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAJanet Xiao is extremely professional, friendly and well-networked. She is exceptional.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAJanet Xiao stands out for her exceptional technical depth and ability to understand highly complex antibody engineering and multispecific platforms.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Jie Zhou
Jie Zhou regularly represents life sciences companies on patent strategy, prosecution and portfolio management. Jie Zhou is extremely knowledgeable, especially about prosecution strategies.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAJie Zhou provides excellent guidance.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAJie Zhou manages her team incredibly well and explains complex questions very clearly.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Michael R Ward
Michael Ward is particularly skilled in agricultural IP matters, frequently advising major clients on patent protection and portfolio development throughout the agricultural sector. He serves as the head of the firm's patent strategy and prosecution practice group. Michael Ward has a scientific training like few others. He is incredible.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAMichael Ward is highly experienced.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Bita Rahebi
In her capacity as co-chair of the firm's global IP litigation practice, Bita Rahebi offers substantial expertise handling patent disputes for technology-sector clients. Bita Rahebi is sharp, knowledgeable and strategic. She understands where you are coming from and where you are going.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Joyce Liou
Joyce Liou chairs the firm's trademark group and is noted for her expertise both contentious and non-contentious IP mandates. Her broad practice encompasses work from portfolio management to complex litigation.
Joyce Liou is incredibly smart, diligent, empathetic, strategic and fierce when she needs to be. I'd put her up against anyone.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAAbove all, Joyce is kind, with amazing legal knowledge and skills to boot.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Karen Potter
Karen Potter is experienced in advising life sciences and biotechnology companies on protecting discoveries and building patent portfolios. She is particularly skilled in developing patent portfolios in the areas of cell and gene therapies.
Karen Potter is brilliant. She is technically astute, on top of the case law and always asks insightful questions. I would always want her in my corner.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAKaren Potter is highly responsive, pays close attention to detail, and is well prepared for client meetings. She is extremely knowledgeable about biology-related disciplines and curates well-trained, client-specific teams aligned according to expertise. Work products by Karen and her team are consistently of high quality.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAKaren Potter is technically skilled, with a deep scientific background and strong knowledge of our business. She is very responsive and able to anticipate needs.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAKaren Potter is good at seeing the big picture and gives honest advice.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Kenneth Kuwayti
Kenneth Kuwayti is an accomplished litigator with broad disputes expertise. He regularly represents high tech-sector clients in complex litigation involving trade secrets and patent.
Ken Kuwayti is one of the most dependable attorneys I know. He is a problem-solver and can always be my point of contact for any matter. When I have an important matter, I go to Ken.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSAKenneth Kuwayti demonstrates strong expertise and well-reasoned judgment.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Richard Hung
Richard Hung co-chairs the firm's IP litigation group and is frequently called upon by both plaintiffs and defendants for representation in high-stakes patent disputes. Richard Hung is someone who would make sacrifices for the client, and he is clear about the issues. He has a cohesive approach to driving successful results.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSARichard Hung is always my go-to for legal issues. He is quick to partner with others, including within and outside of his firm to get me the right solution to my issues.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSARichard Hung is an all-around excellent litigator and trial attorney. He has years of courtroom experience and is able to distill complex patent litigation into an understandable level. When I hire Rich, I know he will dedicate his time and energy to achieving the best results for my company.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Timothy Chen Saulsbury
Timothy Chen Saulsbury co-chairs the Global IP Litigation practice at Morrison Foerster. He regularly represents technology companies in complex patent litigation matters.
Tim is a super smart lawyer who is able to go deep into the matter and offer sound strategies. He has guided us through several outstanding wins.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSATim Saulsbury is truly exceptional in maintaining communication and responsiveness with me throughout the process.
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Morrison Foerster (13)
Members
Provided by Morrison Foerster

Daralyn J Durie
View profile of Daralyn J Durie
Bita Rahebi
View profile of Bita Rahebi
Ragesh K Tangri
View profile of Ragesh K Tangri
Richard Hung
View profile of Richard Hung
Kenneth Kuwayti
View profile of Kenneth Kuwayti
Timothy Chen Saulsbury
View profile of Timothy Chen Saulsbury
Michael R Ward
View profile of Michael R Ward
Catherine Polizzi
View profile of Catherine Polizzi
Joseph C Gratz
View profile of Joseph C Gratz
Jie Zhou
View profile of Jie Zhou
Janet Xiao
View profile of Janet Xiao
Joyce Liou
View profile of Joyce Liou
Karen Potter
View profile of Karen Potter
Morrison Foerster has rankings in the following guides
Band 2 Asia-Pacific 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Asia-Pacific Region
View department profile for Asia-Pacific 2026Band 2 Global 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Asia-Pacific Region
View department profile for Global 2026Band 2 Global 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Global: Multi-Jurisdictional
View department profile for Global 2026Band 2 USA 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: USA - Nationwide
View department profile for USA 2026Band 5 USA 2026
Practice area: Intellectual Property
Location: Massachusetts
View department profile for USA 2026Band 5
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