V&E Expands National IP Practice

HOUSTON (October 16, 2012) — Charles D. Ossola, an intellectual property lawyer with extensive first-chair trial experience in courts throughout the United States, has joined Vinson & Elkins LLP as a partner in Washington, DC. 



Ossola has served as lead counsel in nearly 20 cases — half of which have involved a jury. He also has litigated antitrust counterclaims in patent litigation as well as independent antitrust claims arising from the use or enforcement of intellectual property rights.



He joins V&E from Dickstein Shapiro LLP, where he was a partner in the IP practice from 2008-2012.



“Chuck clearly knows his way around a courtroom and we are thrilled to have him join our growing national litigation practice,” said Michael Charness, managing partner of V&E’s Washington, DC, office. “He will be a cornerstone from which to further build our IP practice in Washington, enhancing our firm's IP capabilities from coast to coast.” 



An experienced appellate advocate, Ossola has argued patent cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and trademark and copyright cases before the regional federal courts of appeals, including the Second, Fourth and Ninth Circuits. 



Scott Wulfe, managing partner of V&E, said, “We welcome Chuck to Washington, which is strategically important to V&E’s expansion of our existing IP practice because of the proximity to many courts where our clients are litigating as well as the Patent Office and the International Trade Commission.”



Ossola has litigated patent disputes involving semiconductors, software, communication systems, MRI technologies, pharmaceutical compositions, dermatology products, medical devices, flexographic printing plates and processes, dental implants, virtual private networks and mechanical systems.



He has served as lead counsel in numerous Hatch-Waxman cases across the country by which generic drug manufacturers may seek regulatory approval for generic versions of already approved branded drugs, and provided strategic counseling in worldwide pharmaceutical patent litigation. He has also represented clients in Markman hearings, summary judgment proceedings and Federal Circuit appeals. 



Ossola’s practice also includes Section 337 litigation before the International Trade Commission (ITC), a favored forum for high-stakes IP cases, as well as arbitration proceedings involving intellectual property claims. Section 337 authorizes the ITC to exclude all infringing products from entry into the United States and to prohibit the sale of those that have already entered. The proceedings are completed quickly, usually in one year and are likely to proceed to hearing.



In the trademark field, Ossola has served as lead counsel in several high-profile cases. In the copyright arena, he has represented photographers, architects, music companies, advertising agencies, and advertisers in numerous precedent-setting cases, including CCNV v. Reid; CoStar v. LoopNet; and Kelly v. Arriba Soft.



“Chuck brings a wealth of litigation experience to V&E’s IP practice, which will greatly benefit our clients,” said V&E IP partner William LaFuze. “We are very happy to have found someone of his caliber and drive to strengthen the Washington presence for our IP team. Chuck will focus on patent litigation with emphasis on Section 337 matters at the ITC, with its complex, time-sensitive rules and procedure, as well as guiding pharmaceutical clients through Hatch-Waxman cases and the drug approval and development process.”



V&E’s IP practice is highly regarded and Chambers USA 2012 notes that “while covering a broad range of IP matters, the firm has a particularly strong reputation in patent litigation. The group combines litigation expertise with strong technical skills in areas such as aerospace engineering, computer technology, and electrical engineering.” 



The firm’s proven record of success in patent litigation includes experience with sophisticated technology in diverse fields such as aerospace, biotechnology and the bio-sciences, chemical compounds and processes, computer hardware and software, electronics, Internet systems and services, lumber processing, medical devices and products, oil and gas exploration and production, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.



“I am delighted to be joining the vibrant, growing intellectual property group at V&E, a firm long known for quality and litigation prowess,” Ossola said. “I hope to continue my patent, trademark and copyright litigation practice at V&E’s Washington office, and at the same time help the firm expand its IP footprint not only on the East Coast but nationally and abroad.” 



Ossola has been recognized as a leading intellectual property attorney in numerous publications including The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Litigation-IP and Litigation-Patents (2012); and Washington, DC Super Lawyers in Intellectual Property Litigation (2010 and 2011).



Ossola was featured as part of Washingtonian magazine’s “Stars of the Bar” feature for IP in 2011 and in December 2008, the Legal Times named him “The Leading Lawyer in Copyright and Trademark” for Washington, DC.



He currently serves on the advisory board of the BNA Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report and is Master of the Bench and Founding Member of The Pauline Newman IP American Inn of Court. Ossola also speaks frequently on intellectual property topics through the Practicing Law Institute, the International Trademark Association and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.



Ossola received his J.D. from Villanova University Law School, where he was a member of the Villanova Law Review.