Sara J. O’Connell is a former federal prosecutor who advocates for clients in disputes over intellectual property matters and helps those navigating internal and federal government investigations.
Sara’s record includes successfully trying to verdict federal jury and bench trials, a dozen appellate victories, and negotiating numerous favorable settlements and resolutions.
Her intellectual property practice focuses primarily on clients in high-tech industries engaged in litigation over patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation and other related matters. Examples of technologies addressed in her recent cases are wireless communication, media processors, location-based software, and computer telephony.
Her white collar defense practice concentrates on advising and defending individuals and corporations involved in internal investigations and in civil regulatory and criminal investigations by government entities such as SEC, DOD and DOJ.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE :
- Linex Tech. Inc. v. Hewlett Packard Co. et al., 13‐cv‐00159 (N.D. Cal.) Defended Hewlett Packard in case regarding wireless digital communication, resulting in summary judgment and costs award.
- MicroUnity Systems Engineering Inc., v. Apple Inc., et al., 2:10‐cv‐91 (E.D. Tex.). Defended Texas Instruments in case relating to media processor technology, resulting in favorable settlement.
- USA v. Francis, 13-cr-03782 (S.D. Cal.). Represented defendant charged with bribery and conspiracy to defraud the United States in case stemming from DOD investigation.
- FastVdo LLC v. AT&T Mobility et. al., 16CV394 (S.D. Cal. 2016). Defended ZTE against allegations of patent infringement; pending inter partes review.
- Landmark Technology LLC v. Canada Drugs LP, 16CV558 (S.D. Cal. 2016). Defended Canadadrugs.com in suit alleging patent infringement, resulting in dismissal with prejudice.
- Nuki Inc. v. Delsey Luggage Inc., 16CV1997 (S.D. Cal. 2016). Defended Delsey against alleged design patent infringement, resulting in dismissal with prejudice.
- Invenger Tech. v. Enservio Inc., CV 13‐04828 (C.D. Cal). Represented plaintiff‐counter‐defendant in case regarding trade secrets and contractual interference, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
- Represented potential investor in energy corporation under investigation by DOJ and SEC.
- Represent court-appointed receiver in civil litigation seeking claw backs of fraudulently-transferred funds in several cases stemming from SEC and FTC investigations.
- USA v. Kaplan, 13-cr-00377 (D. Nev.). Represented pharmaceutical company in trial stemming from FDA investigation regarding conspiracy to commit adulteration with intent to defraud.
EDUCATION :
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2005
- B.A., Boston University, 1997
ADMISSIONS : California
COURTS :
- U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Cost
Rate : $$$