Premier IP Trial Lawyer Mark Whitaker Joins Morrison & Foerster

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Mark L. Whitaker has joined the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Mr. Whitaker comes to the firm from Baker Botts, where he led its International Trade Commission (ITC) practice and expanded its patent litigation in the ITC, district courts, and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Whitaker brings to Morrison & Foerster's renowned IP Litigation Practice Group a proven track record of success during the last 25 years.

"Mark is a highly experienced litigator who has strong trial skills and established client relationships. His joining the firm expands our East Coast IP litigation bench and further enhances our global reputation for the highest quality practice," Michael Jacobs, co-chair of Morrison & Foerster's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group, said. "Mark's federal court, ITC, and trial expertise, as well as his prior experience successfully trying cases as a member of the Navy's JAG Corps, will be a valuable asset for our clients."

Mr. Whitaker's practice is devoted to patent and trademark litigation and counseling. He also represents clients in fast-track IP litigation before the International Trade Commission under Section 337. He has successfully represented clients in the medical device, electronics, telecommunications, chemical, and software industries in patent disputes and licensing initiatives.

Mr. Whitaker's recent cases include, in 2015, winning a trade secrets case at the ITC on behalf of a U.S. manufacturer of large cranes; prevailing at trial and invalidating all four asserted patents for client Acushnet, makers of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls; obtaining dismissals (with prejudice) for a home security company in a multi-patent infringement litigation involving modem industry standards; and serving as counsel on behalf of Research In Motion (RIM) in its long-running patent infringement dispute with NTP, a patent holding company.

"Mark is a tremendous addition to our diverse bench of trial lawyers," Rich Hung, co-chair of Morrison & Foerster's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group, said. "He has an impressive list of accomplishments and a stellar reputation, and our clients will benefit from his wealth of trial experience—from the ITC to dozens of state and federal courtrooms throughout the country."

Morrison & Foerster's IP Litigation Practice Group comprises a powerhouse of trial lawyers and appellate specialists, coupled with a patent prosecution team that is unrivaled in its depth of technical expertise. The firm's 150 IP litigators are regularly at the forefront of ground-breaking intellectual property disputes for the world's leading high-tech, consumer products, and life sciences companies. National Law Journal has named Morrison & Foerster to its "IP Hot List" three times, Law360 has twice named the firm "IP Practice Group of the Year," Chambers USA has named the firm "IP Firm of the Year," and BTI has named the firm an "IP VIP." In 2015, the firm launched MoFo@ITC, a blog that reports on the latest news, legal developments, trends, and statistics on patent infringement and other IP actions before the ITC.

"MoFo's IP litigation practice is one of the most respected groups in the world, and is renowned for winning scores of high-stakes cases," Mr. Whitaker said. "It's an honor to join Morrison & Foerster's talented pool of litigators. I look forward to contributing to the success of the firm."

Mr. Whitaker earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S. from Northeastern University. Mr. Whitaker is an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served first as a Surface Warfare Officer and later as a member of the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, during which time he prosecuted and defended more than 30 trials. He serves as President-Elect of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the largest IP bar association in the United States. Mr. Whitaker is a former IP litigation partner at Howrey, where he practiced for a decade prior to joining Baker Botts in 2011.

ABOUT MOFO

Morrison & Foerster is a global firm of exceptional credentials. Clients include the largest financial institutions, investment banks, Fortune 100, and technology and life sciences companies. The Financial Times has named MoFo to its most innovative law firms in North America and Asia. Chambers USA has honored MoFo's Bankruptcy and IP teams with Firm of the Year awards, the Corporate/M&A team with a client service award, and Global USA Firm of the Year. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger.

Amy Merriweather, Sr. Public Relations Manager
(415) 268-6063, [email protected]

SOURCE Morrison & Foerster