Christy Von der Ahe Rayburn litigates high-profile, high-stakes technology disputes for companies of all sizes, including Amazon, Medtronic, Monster Energy, Palantir, BlackBerry, ClearOne, and Acorn Technologies, among others. 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 impact on strategy,” she has a depth of experience in patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation at every stage.
Recognized as a “Top IP Lawyer,” Ms. Rayburn is a force in the courtroom, having obtained summary judgment of noninfringement in favor of Amazon against claims for patent infringement brought by serial patent litigant MasterObjects. (“Amazon Beats Patent Claims After Alsup ‘Misstated’ Its Motion,” Law360.) She also won two trials and a Federal Circuit appeal in 2021. In May 2021, she won a $25 million trial victory for Acorn Technologies in a patent infringement case against Samsung relating to its semiconductor technology. (“Samsung Hit With $25M Semiconductor IP Verdict In EDTX,” Law360.) In July, she successfully argued before the Federal Circuit for the dismissal of a patent-related appeal (described in more detail in the next paragraph). And in November, as co-lead trial counsel, she secured a complete defense verdict of no infringement and invalidity representing ClearOne, Inc., against Shure, Inc., in a design patent case in the District of Delaware. (“Jury Says Microphone Co. Shure’s Patent Invalid After Trial,” Law360; “ClearOne Beats Rival Microphone Maker’s Design Patent Claims,” Bloomberg.)
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.
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. She currently serves as its vice president.
Ms. Rayburn has been named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top Intellectual Property Lawyers,” to the “40 & Under List” and a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation, and to the “Thriving in Their 40s” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and she was named a key lawyer for general disputes by Legal 500. She has also been named to the Super Lawyers list since 2018.
Updated Aug 2023
