Eric Sophir

Experience

Eric Sophir develops and implements strategies that obtain, protect, and monetize meaningful patents for startups to Fortune 50 companies.

An intellectual property partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, Eric counsels clients on protecting innovations gaining market share the risks and value associated with acquiring, licensing, or otherwise commercializing a patent portfolio resolving patent disputes and monetizing patents. His practice includes patent preparation and prosecution; infringement and validity analysis in patent litigation; licensing and selling; due diligence; clearance and landscape analysis; and post-grant proceedings. He also advises on prosecution strategies to better protect a product or more effectively deter competitors. His practice emphasizes portfolio development, including invention harvesting and patent filing strategies.

Eric has litigation experience and handles complex patent disputes at the federal district courts and Federal Circuit, arbitration, and re-examination proceedings. He also conducts analyses and prepares opinions regarding patent infringement, invalidity, and enforceability. Eric counsels clients in offensive and defensive actions involving competitors as well as non-practicing entities (NPEs).

According to Chambers USA, “Eric is a very strategic and thoughtful lawyer who is exceptional at what he does.”

While studying engineering at Cornell University, Eric conducted research for Professor L. F. Eastman regarding the growth and use of gallium nitride, a III-V semiconductor. One aspect of the research was attempting to grow a semiconductor that would emit a wavelength suitable for blue light.