Stephen Larson has extensive experience litigating high-stakes cases in a wide variety of technology areas, including medical devices, biotechnology, software, chemistry, electronics, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
Stephen handles cases involving patent, antitrust, trade secret, product liability, class action, trademark, and breach of contract matters. His current practice primarily involves handling complex patent and antitrust cases.
Stephen recently defended a biotech diagnostics company against patent infringement claims relating to liquid biopsy technology. Liquid biopsies employ DNA sequencing technologies to examine cell-free DNA in the blood and monitor diseases such as cancer. Stephen played a key role in asserting Walker Process monopolization and attempted monopolization antitrust claims in a countersuit. The case recently settled.
Stephen recently represented EagleLIFT in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, trademark infringement, false advertising, and trade secret misappropriation. Stephen played a key role in asserting patent misuse defenses and antitrust counterclaims alleging tying, improper covenants not to compete, exclusive grantback assignments, and other restrictive covenants. The case settled after EagleLIFT asserted its antitrust counterclaims.
Stephen served as trial counsel for Masimo Corporation in a three-week jury trial against Philips Electronics North America Corp. and Philips Medizin Systeme Böblingen GmbH. Masimo obtained a $466 million verdict based on infringement of its patents relating to pulse oximetry technology. The verdict was featured in The National Law Journal’s “Top Verdicts of 2014” as the top intellectual property verdict and number 5 verdict overall, and was also listed as the “Top IP Award of 2014” by Law360. Stephen also had a primary role in successfully defending Masimo against allegations of patent misuse and antitrust claims alleging monopolization, attempted monopolization, conspiracy, group boycott, tying and restraint of trade. Stephen also played a key role in asserting monopolization and attempted monopolization claims against Philips.
Stephen also recently represented SecureAuth in a patent litigation suit involving three patents asserted by Strikeforce Technologies, Inc. Stephen obtained an early dismissal with prejudice that invalidated all 43 asserted claims.
Clerk Experience
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Pauline Newman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2004-2006)
Judicial extern for the Honorable Jeremy Fogel, United States District Court, N.D. Cal. (Summer 2002)
University of California – Davis, J.D., UC Davis Law School Medal, Law Review – Senior Notes & Comments Editor, Witkin Awards For Academic Excellence in Civil Procedure, Biotechnology & Law, Criminal Law, and Legal Writing
California State University – Fullerton, M.S., Chemistry, Western Association of Graduate Schools Distinguished Master’s Thesis, Giles T. Brown Thesis Award
Vanguard University, B.A., Chemistry and Biology
State Bar of California
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court – Central District of California
U.S. District Court – Northern District of California
U.S. District Court – Southern District of California
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Biotech
Chemical, Industrial & Materials
Electrical, Semiconductor & Computer Technology
Electronics & Semiconductors
Medical Devices & Procedures
Pharmaceuticals
Advertising, Media & Entertainment Practice
Antitrust & Competition
Copyright
Covered Business Method (CBM)
Due Diligence
Hatch-Waxman Litigation
Inter Partes Review (IPR)
International Trade Commission (ITC) Disputes
IP Strategy
IP Transactions, Agreements & Venture Capital
Litigation
Opinions & Counseling
Patent Strategy & Prosecution
Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) Trials (Post Grant)
Post-Grant Review (PGR)
Trade Secret
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret Protection Advice & Counseling
Trademark & Brand Protection
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Unfair Competition Litigation
Stephen has received multiple awards for his legal accomplishments:
- Recognized in Patexia’s 2023 PTAB Intelligence Report as a “Top Performer” based on activity and performance before the PTAB
- Top PTAB Patent Owners by Number of Proceedings Attorney 2020 by Docket Navigator
- Selected for inclusion in the 2017-2020 “Southern California Super Lawyers” lists by Super Lawyers magazine for his work in intellectual property litigation
- Named repeatedly as one of Southern California’s “Rising Stars” in intellectual property law based on surveys of his peers published in Los Angeles magazine and Super Lawyers magazine
- Elected to the Order of the Coif and awarded the 2004 UC Davis Law School Medal for Academic Excellence
- Awarded Witkin Awards For Academic Excellence in Civil Procedure, Biotechnology & Law, Criminal Law, and Legal Writing
- Awarded the Giles T. Brown Outstanding Master’s Thesis and the Western Association of Graduate Schools Distinguished Master’s Thesis
- American Intellectual Property Law Association, Amicus Committee, Editor of the Antitrust Committee Newsletter
- Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
- Orange County Bar Foundation
