Christy Von der Ahe Rayburn litigates high-profile, high-stakes technology disputes for companies of all sizes, including Amazon.com, Monster Energy, BlackBerry, ClearOne, and Acorn Technologies. Described by clients as “a fierce advocate” and “intensely brilliant at understanding the detail and complexity of the subject matter while retaining a clear view of the big issues and its impact on strategy,” she has a depth of experience in patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation at every stage.
Ms. Rayburn is deeply invested in her clients’ cases, paying close attention to strategic decisions at every step. According to a former colleague and retired judge, Ms. Rayburn “has a unique drive for excellence that she consistently achieves.” As a member of the patent bar and as a Stanford-trained mechanical engineer, Ms. Rayburn is quick to understand the technology at issue in her clients’ matters. More importantly, she is able to translate that technical understanding into clear and effective oral and written communications to stakeholders, judges, and juries. As co-counsel once noted, “Christy simplified the issues such that eight people in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas readily grasped why infringement was apparent.” Clients and judges alike have praised her ability to marshal the relevant facts and explain a case to them clearly and concisely.
In June 2017, Ms. Rayburn argued before the California Supreme Court, challenging California’s 2016 death penalty initiative measure (Proposition 66). Her work on that matter and others earned her the American Inns of Court 2017 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Professional Service, presented at the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Rayburn is a founding member of the Howard T. Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court in Orange County, and has served that organization as its secretary, membership chair, programs chair, and member of the board. Ms. Rayburn serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project.
Before joining Hueston Hennigan, Ms. Rayburn was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where she represented clients such as Oracle, Foxconn, and Facebook.
Experience
Secured complete defense verdict of no infringement and invalidity representing ClearOne Inc. as lead trial counsel in the District of Delaware in a case involving design patent for beamforming microphone arrays against Shure Incorporated. (See “Jury Says Microphone Co. Shure’s Patent Invalid After Trial,” Law360; “ClearOne Beats Rival Microphone Maker’s Design Patent Claims,” Bloomberg Law).
Won a $25 million trial victory for Acorn Semi, LLC in a patent infringement case against Samsung relating to its semiconductor technology. (See “Samsung Hit With $25M Semiconductor IP Verdict In EDTX,” Law360).
As co-lead counsel, won a motion for preliminary injunction for ClearOne Inc. in a patent infringement suit, enjoining a large, multinational competitor’s manufacture, marketing, and sale of a competing, infringing product. Then won a motion for contempt against the same competitor for releasing a new product in violation of the preliminary injunction.
Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Amazon.com against claims for patent infringement brought by serial patent litigant MasterObjects, Inc. (See “Amazon Beats Patent Claims After Alsup ‘Misstated’ Its Motion,” Law360).
Secured a favorable settlement for Amazon.com in a patent infringement lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas alleging over a billion in damages for use of Amazon Robotic’s technology in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
Representing Medtronic in a patent infringement lawsuit concerning medical device technology.
Obtained outright dismissal of patent infringement lawsuit asserted against Amazon.com in the Western District of Texas.
Won a Federal Circuit appeal upholding a PTAB Inter Partes Review decision affirming the validity of a ClearOne Inc. patent.
Representing Monster Energy Company in connection with patent and trademark matters against Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Successfully settled a suit brought by Palantir Technologies against a former early investor alleging breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, and other wrongful conduct after defeating a motion for summary judgment.
Secured a victory for BlackBerry Corp. and BlackBerry Ltd. in civil extortion and unfair competition claims leveled against it by MobileIron, forcing it to pay Blackberry’s legal fees and drop its lawsuit.
Obtained favorable settlement for a leading fitness equipment company – including admissions of patent validity, intentional copying and an agreement to immediately cease using its patented leaderboard technology – after prevailing on an Alice challenge and virtually every other motion. (See “Peloton, Flywheel Settle Legal Disputes Over Fitness Bike Tech,” Wall Street Journal; “Peloton, Flywheel Agree To End Patent Fight Over Bike Tech,” Law360).
Achieved favorable settlement for Oracle in its highly publicized litigation against the State of Oregon over development of the state’s online health insurance marketplace.
Represented Oracle in its ongoing high-profile copyright litigation against Google regarding the Android operating system.
Obtained summary judgment and an attorney’s fees award for Nvidia on claims of patent infringement related to graphics processor chips.
Won summary judgment on behalf of Oracle in a patent infringement case related to pharmacovigilance software.
Defended Foxconn and Hon Hai in patent infringement matter relating to electrical connectors.
Defended Bosch, Foxconn, and Hon Hai before the U.S. International Trade Commission in patent infringement matter relating to automotive Body Control Modules.
Represented Brocade Communications Systems at trial in patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation suit against A10 Networks.
Consulted portfolio analytics company on patent infringement matters during successful acquisition.
Defended several joint defendants across multiple jurisdictions in e-commerce-related patent infringement matter.
Defended several joint defendants across multiple jurisdiction in a second e-commerce-related patent infringement matter.
Represented plaintiff in obtaining favorable settlement of patent infringement matter relating to sporting goods equipment.
Obtained favorable settlement for defendant in patent infringement matter related to flooring technology.
Argued before the California Supreme Court in a challenge to California’s Proposition 66 that achieved a favorable reinterpretation of that initiative statute.
Achieved favorable settlement for technology company in contract dispute matter.
Recognitions
- Top Intellectual Property Lawyers, Daily Journal (2022, 2023)
- 40 & Under Hot List, Benchmark Litigation (2021, 2022)
- Key Lawyer for General Commercial Disputes, Legal 500
- Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Legal Visionary, L.A. Times
- Named to the Southern California Super Lawyers list (2023, 2024)
- Named to the Southern California Rising Stars list (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Activities
Steering Committee, ABA Death Penalty Representation Project
Vice President, Howard T. Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court in Orange County