Roderick B. Williams

Partner

Austin

+1.512.482.6880

Fax +1..512.482.6859

Publications

In a Landmark Decision, the Federal Circuit Nixes Patent Venue in the Eastern District of Texas

Intellectual Property Alert

Alerts/Updates

January 13, 2009

News

K&L Gates Adds Commercial, IP Litigation Partners in Austin Office

Press Releases

October 6, 2008

Primary Practice

IP Litigation

Education

J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 1990, (magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; Order of the Barons)
B.A., University of Texas, 1976

Admissions

Bar of Texas
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Mr. Williams is a partner in the Austin office who concentrates his practice on intellectual property litigation. Rick is an intellectual property litigator with 20 years experience in commercial litigation with the last 14 years spent litigating patent infringement actions in federal district courts across the country including the Eastern District of Texas and the District of Delaware. Rick has litigated patents in the mechanical, medical device, pharmaceutical, electrical, semiconductor, software, business method, e-commerce and biotechnology fields.

Professional Background

Mr. Williams has practiced law since 1990. Prior to the practice of law, he was employed by Shell Development Corporation and the Houston Fire Department.

Professional/Civic Activities

American Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association (Patent Litigation Committee, Member)
Intellectual Property Owners Association (Hatch-Waxman Committee, Member)
Federation International des Conseils en Propriete (“FICPI)
Austin Bar Association
Austin Intellectual Property Law Association
College of the State Bar of Texas

Speaking Engagements

“Emerging Trends in Intellectual Property Law,” University of Texas School of Law Intellectual Property Organization Seminar,” panel moderator, March 2001
“Intellectual Property Issues in Mediation and Arbitration,” Fulbright & Jaworski Mediation Conference, May 2000

As Lead or Co-Lead Counsel

Has defeated most preliminary injunctions sought by a patent holder in litigation.
As lead counsel for a leading U.S. computer corporation, following the grant of partial motions for summary judgment on the issues of non-infringement and invalidity of patents related to international e-commerce, obtained for my client a settlement equal to approximately 2% of plaintiff's claimed damages.
As lead counsel for a leading U.S. defense contractor, obtained favorable settlements against six defendants accused of infringing the client's patents directed to mass data storage.
As lead counsel for Huntsman Advanced Materials as respondent in an Arbitration, successfully developed an invalidity case against petitioner's patents resulting in a settlement of the action on terms very favorable to Huntsman.
As co-lead counsel, following the filing of several motions for summary judgment, obtained a very favorable settlement for several Fortune 100 companies accused of infringing internet commerce patents.
As co-lead counsel, obtained a very favorable settlement for several leading software and hardware manufacturers accused of infringing patents related to a method and apparatus for implementing security measures on a computer
As co-lead counsel for ProstataLund AB, a Swedish medical device company as defendant in a litigation in Wisconsin involving two patents related to microwave technology for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia successfully defeated two preliminary injunctions, invalidated one of the patents on summary judgment obtained a favorable claim construction ruling and developed a strong inequitable conduct case, all of which ultimately led to dismissal of the action by plaintiff; successfully negotiated a new Distribution Agreement with ProstaLund's U.S. distributor which resulted in a change from an exclusive to non-exclusive distributorship and contained more favorable pricing and payment terms for ProstaLund.
As co-lead counsel, successfully defended a major U.S. biotechnology company accused of infringing patents directed to genetic engineering of crops by invalidating plaintiff's patent.