Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

01/28/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2022 14:06

by Rubén H. Muñoz, Karina J. Moy

Key Experience

  • Patent and trade secret litigator with experience in multiple venues, including as lead counsel in numerous IPR proceedings.
  • Former automotive engineer with degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering.
  • Serves as partner in charge of the Philadelphia office.

Practice

Rubén Muñoz represents public and privately-held companies in patent and trade secret litigation involving a wide array of technologies, including automotive, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and electronics. He has represented clients in federal and state courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the United States Patent Office, and in arbitration.

Prior to attending law school, Rubén spent over five years at Ford Motor Company's Scientific Research Laboratory, where he worked as an engineer on the development of advanced internal combustion engine technologies. In addition to his law degree, Rubén holds degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering as well as a certificate in business and public policy from the Wharton School.

Representative Work

  • Currently representing biotechnology company in inter partes review proceeding involving patent directed to a method for the treatment of schizophrenia (PTAB, Federal Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court).
  • Successfully represented multinational company in several inter partes review proceedings involving patents in the medical, chemical, and cosmetic industries (PTAB).
  • Successfully defended medical device company in state, district court, and arbitration on trade secret misappropriation claims (Massachusetts State Court, District of Massachusetts, and AAA)
  • Successfully defended pharmaceutical company in inter partes review proceeding involving protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV (PTAB).
  • Successfully defended medical device companies in concurrent patent infringement lawsuits involving suturing anchors (District of Massachusetts).
  • Defended medical device company in a Section 337 investigation involving hemostatic hydrogels and achieved favorable settlement.

Speeches

  • "Tips to Mitigate the Effect of IPRs," New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, January 23, 2020.
  • Federal Circuit Bar Association, Panelist: Phillips Construction in PTAB Trials: Strategies for Petitioners and Patent Owners (2018).
  • Hispanic Bar Association, Panelist: Considerations in Joint Development Agreements (2018).
  • IAM's IP in the Auto Industry, Moderator: Protection and Litigation (2018).

Public Service and Affiliations

  • Member, Sedona Conference Working Group 10, Patent Litigation.
  • Member, PTAB Bar Association.
  • Member, Federal Circuit Bar Association.
  • Member, Hispanic Bar Association.

Recognition

  • Diversity Journal, Latino Leaders Worth Watching, 2021.
  • IAM Patent 1000-The World's Leading Patent Professionals, leading private patent litigator in Philadelphia, 2020 - 2021.
  • The Legal 500 US, Patents: Litigation (Full Coverage), 2020-2021.
  • Philadelphia Business Journal, Best of the Bar: Philadelphia's Top Lawyers, 2019.
  • Philadelphia Business Journal, Minority Business Leader, 2019.
  • Latino Leaders Magazine: Top Latino Lawyers (2018).
  • Leadership Excellence Award, National Diversity Council (2017).
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star, IP Litigation, 2013 to 2017.

Languages

Spanish