Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

Eversheds Sutherland draws on significant technical knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively provide IP services to clients in the chemical industry.

To fully grasp and protect the potential value of chemical technology, clients need attorneys who understand more than just the relevant laws—they need lawyers with strong technical backgrounds and deep industry experience. The attorneys in Eversheds Sutherland’s Intellectual Property Practice Group have all that and more. Most are chemists or engineers as well as lawyers. Whether our clients seek advice on patenting a new technology, licensing existing technology, or ensuring their ability to operate a business without infringing someone else’s patent, Eversheds Sutherland attorneys excel at advancing the legal actions to support and enhance their business goals, whether in the U.S. or abroad.

Our chemical team consists of nearly 10 lawyers, including several with Ph.D. or masters’ degrees in chemistry or chemical engineering. Many of our attorneys have also worked as professors, biochemists, researchers or engineers in a variety of industries. Most members of our IP Group are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

In the basic and specialty chemical industries, we have experience in a vast array of technologies, allowing us to quickly and thoroughly understand the areas in which our clients have IP interests. Some of the industry’s most prominent players turn to Eversheds Sutherland for counseling and management of their proprietary technology portfolios, and for developing, commercializing and enforcing the IP associated with their innovations. Over the decades, our attorneys have worked with numerous chemical innovators, manufacturers, sellers and distributors, allowing us a unique perspective on challenges and opportunities throughout the industry.

Why Eversheds Sutherland

Global reach. Our sophisticated practice covers every facet of securing, licensing and enforcing IP rights for chemical technology clients in the United States and around the world.

Technical prowess. We have a seven-attorney chemical prosecution team, including several with advanced degrees, and additional attorneys with technical backgrounds and experience in molecular biology and pharmacology.

Exceptional patent experience. Most of the nearly 30 attorneys in our IP practice are registered patent attorneys. In addition to extensive prosecution experience, our attorneys also possess deep opinion and IP agreement negotiation and drafting skill.

The full range of services. Our broad chemical-related experience includes preparing and prosecuting patent applications; developing opinions regarding patent validity, invalidity, infringement and clearance; performing IP due diligence reviews in connection with mergers and acquisitions and representing clients in trade secret and other IP litigation.

Industry knowledge. Our experience includes prosecuting patents related to minerals and materials technologies, paper manufacture and chemistry, polymers, paints, rheology control processes, building products, pharmaceutical products, food chemistry and processing equipment, photoresists and electronic materials, colloidal chemistry, rigid and flexible plastic packaging, polymeric nonwoven fabrics, printing, carbon black, polymer extrusion equipment, latex gloves, fuels and fuel additives, catalysts, organic synthesis, electro-chemistry, ceramics, chemical processing equipment, agricultural chemicals and textile chemicals and equipment.

Focus on business goals. At every step of the process, we bear in mind the desired result, so we can help our chemical technology clients achieve their overall business objectives.

Trial savvy. When necessary, our attorneys are prepared to go to trial to defend our clients’ IP rights. Our IP attorneys represent both plaintiffs and defendants in patent infringement, patent interference, and patent-related antitrust suits; trademark and trade dress infringement suits; trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings; copyright infringement suits; trade secret claims; federal and state unfair competition controversies; and false advertising claims. Along with our courtroom experience, we represent clients before agencies such as the International Trade Commission and the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Nuts and Bolts

Eversheds Sutherland attorneys provide the full range of IP services for chemical technology clients, including:

• Preparing and prosecuting patent applications
• Developing opinions regarding patent validity or invalidity, infringement and clearance
• IP due diligence reviews in connection with mergers and acquisitions
• Trade secret and IP litigation
• IP audits and evaluations

Our technical chemical experience includes:

• Agricultural products
• Aromatics
• Biomass fuel
• Carbon nanotubes and buckypapers
• Chemical (CVD) and Physical (PVD) Vapor Deposition
• Chemical processing equipment and reactor design
• Electrochemistry
• Electroluminescence
• Fischer-Tropsch catalysis
• Fuel cell technologies
• Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
• Hydrotreating technologies
• Nanotechnology and materials chemistry
• Organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals
• Petroleum upgrading
• Polymers
• Polysaccharide microparticles for use as hemostats
• Protein hydrogels and other bioadhesives
• Semiconductors, photoresists and other electronic materials
• Surfactant technologies

Take Action

§  “Diversity at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP” to “Diversity at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP”

§  “Diversity” section:

o   The firm’s emphasis on diversity is reflected in numerous ways throughout the firm, such as the manner in which we recruit lawyers and other employees, our work-life policies and our professional service efforts. We have been recognized for our achievements in diversity.  More importantly, we understand the significant role a diverse community plays in the firm's growth and development.

§  “Our Awards and Recognitions” section:

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP continues to be recognized for its efforts to promote diversity in the workplace and in the legal profession. In 2016 we were named a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality,” having earned a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and we also were ranked a Top 100 Firm for Minority Attorneys by Law360. In addition, the firm was awarded the Gold Standard Certification for the fifth consecutive year by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum.

§  “Our Commitment” section:

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity within the firm and in the legal profession.  We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger, more productive law firm.  We hire and promote qualified lawyers and other professionals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.  We understand that diversity enhances our value to clients by allowing us to staff our client teams with professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives.

o   Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has a cross-office Diversity Committee with responsibility for supporting and enhancing our firm culture.  Our committee has helped coordinate and lead a number of efforts to advance diversity within our firm and the community. Affinity groups at the firm serve as support networks for attorneys of color; women lawyers; and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender attorneys.

o   We are committed to working with our clients as they pursue the common goal of a professional workplace where opportunity is available to all.