Suzanne C. Walts

Counsel

Overview

Suzanne C. Walts is a counsel in the Intellectual Property Group and is resident in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Her practice includes preparing and prosecuting patent applications; handling patent appeals, reexamination proceedings, and inter partes review proceedings; providing opinions related to infringement and validity; conducting patent-related due diligence; and supporting patent litigation.

Sue has experience with a wide range of electrical and mechanical technologies, with an emphasis on optics, lasers, cameras, optical fibers, microlithography, liquid crystal display devices, microscopy, photovoltaic devices, optical networking systems, virtual reality displays, semiconductor devices, recording media, image processing systems, consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive technologies, navigation systems, and fuel cells. She also handles a variety of artificial intelligence and business method applications.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Sue worked as an electro-optical engineer for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. She has since represented clients at large law firms and served as in-house patent counsel at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Sue was recognized as a "Rising Star" in Washington, D.C. by the Super Lawyers magazine in 2014.

Career & Education

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    • Wake Forest University, B.S., magna cum laude with honors in physics, 1997
    • University of Michigan, M.S.E.E., 1999
    • George Mason University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, member of Law Review, 2006
    • Wake Forest University, B.S., magna cum laude with honors in physics, 1997
    • University of Michigan, M.S.E.E., 1999
    • George Mason University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, member of Law Review, 2006
    • Colorado
    • District of Columbia
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
    • Colorado
    • District of Columbia
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Representative Matters

  • BAE Systems v. Cheetah Omni (PTAB, IPR2013-00175) (Represented Petitioner BAE in inter partes review challenging validity of asserted Cheetah Omni patent involving mid-infrared wavelength light generation using Raman effect).
  • Cheetah Omni v. United States et al., No. 1:11-CV-255 (Fed. Cl.): Represented third-party defendant BAE Systems in a patent infringement action filed against the United States in the Court of Federal Claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1498, involving a government contract relating to laser-based missile countermeasure systems.
  • Spread Spectrum v. Kodak, No. 10-CV-6523L (W.D.N.Y. 2011): Represented defendant Kodak and its printer customers in a patent infringement action involving stochastic halftone screening. Successfully stayed case pending reexamination.
  • Certain Communication Equipment, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same (337-TA-817): Represented respondent Avaya in an International Trade Commission investigation related to Power over Ethernet features in telephones, switches, and wireless access points.
  • Digitech Image Technologies, LLC v. Leica Camera AG and Leica Camera Inc., Nos. 8:12-cv-1153-ODW-MRW and 8:12-cv-1677-ODW-MRW (C.D. California): Represented Leica Camera defendants in a patent infringement action related to digital cameras. Secured dismissal of initial case under 35 U.S.C. § 299.
  • Wix Filtration Corp. LLC v. Purolator Filters NA LLC, No. 3:11-CV-289 (W.D. North Carolina): Represented defendant Purolator in patent-infringement action involving automotive air filters.