Sasha G Rao

Intellectual Property

Patent Portfolio Management

Artificial Intelligence IP

Post-Grant Proceedings

Intellectual Property Transactions

Copyright, Trademark & Media Litigation

Patent Litigation

Fintech & Financial Services IP

Widely recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s leading intellectual property lawyers, Sasha has an established record of success for some of the world’s leading companies.

/ My focus

I regularly lead intellectual property and commercial litigation for various clients, including cases involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and complex commercial disputes. I advise clients, ranging from tech startups to the largest multinational companies, on a wide range of legal issues, including corporate, transactional, policy, regulatory, IP strategy, patent and trademark prosecution, and IP aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

I have tried cases in district courts throughout the US. My strong background in science has enabled me to develop effective courtroom strategies for cases involving technologies ranging from pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology to computers, the Internet, Web 3.0, and software. In the technology realm, I have defended some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent companies in cases brought by competitors and non-practicing entities. In the life sciences space, I have extensive experience in Hatch-Waxman/ANDA litigation and have represented generic and branded pharmaceutical companies in numerous patent cases.

My enthusiasm for cutting-edge technologies has positioned me as one of the leading practitioners in the emerging fields of blockchain and crypto, artificial intelligence, and autonomy and robotics, including autonomous vehicles, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones), advanced air mobility, and connected and artificially intelligent systems. My legal concentration includes regulatory, policy, intellectual property, data rights, and legal strategy.

I am registered to practice in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I also represent clients in Patent Office trials, including inter partes review (IPR) and other post-grant invalidity challenges available under the America Invents Act.

Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I served as the nationwide IP chair for a full-service law firm with 24 offices in the US.

Stanford Program of Law, Science & Technology, Advisory Board member

South Asian Bar Association – Northern California, Life member

Equal Rights Advocates Board of Directors, member

Saguaro Capital Management, Advisory Board member

New York University School of Law

J.D.

Randolph Macon Woman’s College

B.A.