Stephen W. Larson

Stephen Larson has extensive experience litigating high-stakes cases in a wide variety of technology areas, including medical devices, biotechnology, software, chemistry, electronics, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

Stephen handles cases involving patent, antitrust, trade secret, product liability, class action, trademark, and breach of contract matters.  His current practice primarily involves handling complex patent and antitrust cases.

Stephen recently defended a biotech diagnostics company against patent infringement claims relating to liquid biopsy technology.  Liquid biopsies employ DNA sequencing technologies to examine cell-free DNA in the blood and monitor diseases such as cancer.  Stephen played a key role in asserting Walker Process monopolization and attempted monopolization antitrust claims in a countersuit.  The case recently settled.

Stephen recently represented EagleLIFT in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, trademark infringement, false advertising, and trade secret misappropriation.  Stephen played a key role in asserting patent misuse defenses and antitrust counterclaims alleging tying, improper covenants not to compete, exclusive grantback assignments, and other restrictive covenants.  The case settled after EagleLIFT asserted its antitrust counterclaims.

Stephen served as trial counsel for Masimo Corporation in a three-week jury trial against Philips Electronics North America Corp. and Philips Medizin Systeme Böblingen GmbH.  Masimo obtained a $466 million verdict based on infringement of its patents relating to pulse oximetry technology.  The verdict was featured in The National Law Journal's "Top Verdicts of 2014" as the top intellectual property verdict and number 5 verdict overall, and was also listed as the "Top IP Award of 2014"  by Law360. Stephen also had a primary role in successfully defending Masimo against allegations of patent misuse and antitrust claims alleging monopolization, attempted monopolization, conspiracy, group boycott, tying and restraint of trade. Stephen also played a key role in asserting monopolization and attempted monopolization claims against Philips. 

Stephen also recently represented SecureAuth in a patent litigation suit involving three patents asserted by Strikeforce Technologies, Inc. Stephen obtained an early dismissal with prejudice that invalidated all 43 asserted claims. 

Clerk Experience

• Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Pauline Newman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2004-2006)
• Judicial extern for the Honorable Jeremy Fogel, United States District Court, N.D. Cal. (Summer 2002)