Knobbe Martens

Firm overview:

Knobbe Martens remains a go‑to firm for complex patent work, combining deep technical insight with practical legal counsel across prosecution and litigation. While many IP boutiques focus on one side of the practice, Knobbe is well equipped to support clients from early portfolio strategy through high‑stakes disputes. A longstanding strength of the firm has been its life sciences work, where partners and scientific advisors help both innovators and generics players navigate patent landscapes, including Hatch‑Waxman matters involving regulated products and market entry timing.

Clients appreciate the firm’s technical depth and commitment to results, noting that Knobbe’s teams are willing to roll up their sleeves and dig into the science while keeping commercial realities front of mind. This approach is reflected in significant outcomes for clients in 2025, including a major patent infringement trial in which Knobbe tried a case for Masimo against Apple, winning more than $634 million in damages for infringement of wearable‑device technology patents, one of the largest consumer tech patent verdicts of the year.

Across offices in California, Seattle, New York and Washington, DC, the firm continues to take on a mix of strategic patent prosecution, freedom‑to‑operate counselling and enforcement actions, working with companies from emerging startups to global leaders.

Team overview:

Knobbe Martens has among the highest number of registered patent attorneys in the US of any law firm, with 188 registered patent attorneys and 14 patent agents who practise before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Salima Merani co‑chairs the Medical Device practice and is one of the foremost life sciences IP strategists at Knobbe Martens. Merani has over 20 years’ experience in building patent portfolios for life sciences companies, and has been lead IP counsel in deals valued at over $3 billion in the last few years.

Lance Smemoe is known for managing global patent portfolios across diverse industries and stays closely attuned to developments in cutting‑edge technologies. Clients praise his collaborative yet proactive style, which helps bridge technical and business priorities in patent planning and prosecution.

Mani Hossein-Zadeh is a primary patent scientist in the firm’s Orange County office. With a background in physics, electrical engineering and sensors, Hossein-Zadeh has written and prosecuted patents related to products including semiconductor devices, lasers, autonomous driving systems and electronic circuits, among others.

Other notable team members include William Zimmerman, who co-chairs the Hatch-Waxman and Life Sciences Practice Groups; Carol Pitzel Cruz, co-chair of the Hatch-Waxman Litigation practice; and Joseph Re, who led Knobbe Marten’s trial team for Masimo against Apple.

In 2025, Maria Anderson left the firm after 17 years to join Davis Wright Tremaine. She has three decades of experience in IP, and is widely recognised for her patent practice.

Key matters:

• Apple v Masimo

Knobbe Martens defended Masimo Corporation and Sound United against Apple’s claims of design and utility patent infringement relating to Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches.

The firm secured a complete victory on currently offered products, preventing Apple from obtaining the injunction it sought, and successfully invalidated one of Apple’s asserted utility-patent claims.

The cases are  Apple v Masimo, C.A. Nos. 22-cv-1377-JLH and 22-cv-1378-JLH (D. Del).

• Alcon et al v Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals et al

Knobbe Martens represented Padagis in Hatch-Waxman litigation over a generic glaucoma medication, Simbrinza. After a three-day bench trial, the court found that Padagis’s generic product did not infringe the remaining patent-in-suit, allowing the company to bring a more cost-effective treatment to US patients. Knobbe Martens’ litigation strategy secured a significant regulatory and commercial victory for the client.

The case is Alcon Inc et al v Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals et al, 1:22-cv-01422-WCB.

• Otsuka Pharmaceutical v Lupin

Knobbe Martens represented Lupin in Hatch-Waxman litigation regarding generic versions of Jynarque for kidney disease. The firm secured a complete victory at bench trial, with the court finding no infringement and invalidating one of Otsuka’s patents, enabling Lupin to provide a more affordable treatment in the US. The team’s strategic defence protected both the client’s commercial interests and patient access to critical medication.

Clients:

Clients: Accelitas, Alpheus Medical, Cala Health, Cercacor Laboratories, Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH, Edwards Lifesciences, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Gynesonics, Imperative Care., Kandu Health, Lupin, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Masimo, Padagis US, Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals, Pacira BioSciences, Pacira Therapeutics, Signet Healthcare Partners, Sigray, Sound United, Windham Capital Partners