Andrew R. Sommer

Drew Sommer focuses his practice on complex patent disputes, having appeared in more than 160 contentious intellectual property matters in jurisdictions across the country as well as more than 85 Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) trials. Drew serves as first-chair trial counsel in litigation, representing clients in district courts and before the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Federal Circuit, and the PTAB. He represents both patent owners and accused infringers in a variety of proceedings, drawing on a deep understanding of the technology at issue and experience in handling a wide-range of patent disputes. Because of the extent of his experience both before the PTAB and the courts, he regularly counsels clients on the interplay between litigation and trial proceedings before the PTAB. He also advises clients on strategic licensing, patent portfolio development, and patent licensing matters.

He has experience with a wide range of technologies, including video coding (H.264, H.265), lasers, Internet of Things (IoT), telecommunications, computer hardware and software, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and video games. Prior to practicing law, Drew was a patent examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and he later served one of the first clerks for the Honorable Kimberly A. Moore of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Concentrations

•Patent litigation
•International Trade Commission - Section 337 Litigation
•Post-issuance patent proceedings, including inter partes review, post-grant review, covered business method patent review (CBM), and ex parte reexaminations
•Patent prosecution

Clerkships

•Hon. Kimberly A. Moore, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2006-2007

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Selected, Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers, “Star Lawyers,” 2017-2020
•IAM magazine, 2016-2018
•Listed, “IAM Patent 1000: Patent Litigation, Washington, D.C.,” 2016-2019
•Listed, “IAM Patent Strategy 300,” 2017-2019
•Listed, “IAM Patent 1000, Post-Grant Proceedings at the USPTO,” 2016
•Listed, Super Lawyers Magazine, “Washington D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Stars,” 2014-2019
•Listed, Patexia, Top 50 PTAB Practitioners, 2017
•Selected, Federal Bar Association, “Global fellow,” 2016-2017
•Selected, The National Law Journal, “D.C.’s Rising Stars,” 2014
•Recipient, Washington Lawyer’s Committee, “Pro Bono Leadership Award,” 2014