Christine Lehman is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. An accomplished trial attorney focusing on patent litigation in U.S. District Courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Christine uses her technical background and 25 years of litigation experience to guide clients through complex litigation in the most challenging forums. She has litigated in courts across the U.S., as well as coordinated global patent litigation strategy. Christine is known for her strategic insights, knowledge of ITC as a specialized venue, and the ability to communicate clearly and credibly with judges and juries.
Recognized among the nation’s top ITC Section 337 practitioners by Chambers USA, sources noted “She’s very strategic in her approach and good on her feet; she’s a terrific lawyer.” Managing IP recognized her as a “Top 250 Women in IP” worldwide—one of only 60 attorneys ranked in the U.S.—and as an “IP Star.” Benchmark Litigation also named Christine as a “Top 250 Women in Litigation (U.S.)” and an intellectual property “Litigation Star,” and IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners ranked her a leading patent lawyer, among other honors. Christine also ranks consistently among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America.
Christine has extensive experience litigating patent cases at the ITC, a fast-moving forum with highly specialized practice requirements. She served as an investigative attorney at the Office of Unfair Import Investigations early in her career, and has appeared in dozens of ITC investigations, including 16 trials before the administrative law judges at the ITC. She is also an experienced district court litigator handling Markman hearings, summary judgment and jury trials. Christine’s combined experience provides clients with expertise and perspective in developing an overall patent litigation strategy.
Christine spearheaded RJLF’s efforts in achieving Midsize Mansfield Rule Certification “Plus” status. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities. Christine’s leadership efforts earned her the 2022 “Woman Worth Watching in Leadership” award by Profiles in Diversity Journal.
Prior to joining RJLF, Christine was a partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP, serving as leader of the litigation section, co-chair of the ITC section, and pro bono partner in her 20 years there.
Updated Oct 2024
