O’Melveny adds heavy-hitter to its IP bench

New hire has extensive experience at the US Patent and Trademark Office | Addition strengthens firm’s East coast IP team.

Law firm O’Melveny has announced the arrival of Coke Morgan Stewart as a senior counsel in its Washington DC office.

Stewart comes to the firm after serving as deputy attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia since January 2022.

In addition, she has been acting deputy director of the US Patent and Trademark Office ( USPTO) as well as acting deputy under secretary of commerce for IP, along with other senior IP roles through several presidential administrations.

As part of her new role, she will advise clients on complex IP matters, including litigation, patent trial and appeal board matters, and appeals to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Stewart brings more than 25 years of experience to O’Melveny.

During her tenure at the USPTO, Stewart worked closely with agency directors, as well as the department of commerce and other executive branch departments to formulate IP policy.

Stewart’s appellate experience at the USPTO includes advising on numerous patent, trademark, and copyright cases before the US Supreme Court, as well as handling more than 50 appeals before the Federal Circuit.

Prior to her government service, she worked in private practice in the Washington, DC office of Kaye Scholer before it merged with Arnold & Porter.

She has litigated countless complex patent infringement cases for both patent owners and accused infringers, including two to jury verdicts in the Eastern District of Texas and in the Eastern District of Virginia.

“We’re delighted to welcome Coke to O’Melveny,” said Ryan Yagura, chair of O’Melveny’s IP and technology practice group.

“Her impressive credentials, deep knowledge of IP law and policy, and strong litigation skills—especially at the appellate level—make her an excellent addition to our award-winning team and to our expanding presence in DC.”

Commenting on her appointment, Stewart said: “I’m honoured and excited to join O’Melveny, one of the top law firms in the country with a well-earned reputation as a litigation powerhouse.

“I’m thrilled to work with such stellar lawyers, including many former USPTO and PTAB colleagues, and to add my trial and appellate experience to the outstanding IP team.”

Stewart’s arrival expands O’Melveny’s East coast capabilities and bolsters the firm’s IP team, which has added several litigators in the past year, including Robert Shaffer, a first chair trial lawyer with extensive experience handling complex life sciences patent litigation.

Gregory Morris, who specialises in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology patent litigation, also joined the firm last year as a partner in New York.

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