McGuireWoods LLP partner Brian Riopelle has been named a “Litigator of the Year” in Virginia by Benchmark Litigation – South for his representation of DuPont Co. in a trade secret litigation against Kolon Industries Inc. The case, which was led by Riopelle and McGuireWoods partner Rod Satterwhite, resulted in a $919.9 million jury verdict last September, one of the largest ever reached in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. DuPont was also represented at trial by Crowell & Moring LLP.
Riopelle, who is chairman of McGuireWoods’ Intellectual Property Litigation & Patents Department, received the award at the inaugural 2012 Benchmark Litigation Annual Awards-South ceremony, which was held Thursday night at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta, Ga.
“We are proud of Brian and the entire trial team,” said Richard Cullen, chairman of the firm. “They worked very hard and winning this case for such a wonderful client as DuPont was reward enough. Brian’s recognition makes it all the more special.”
Benchmark Litigation is a guide book to America’s litigation firms and attorneys. For more information, visit www.benchmarklitigation.com.