McGuireWoods is adding muscle to its global patent and trade secret litigation capabilities with the arrival of partner Tyler VanHoutan, who joins the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation and Patents Department in Houston.
VanHoutan handles investigations before the International Trade Commission and litigation in federal courts across the country, including the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas — which has the nation’s busiest patent litigation docket. His practice encompasses a wide range of technologies, with a particular focus on microprocessors used in smartphones and other mobile devices, and technologies used in oil and gas production. He also has represented clients in the telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences industries.
VanHoutan has represented ARM, a leading semiconductor IP supplier, in numerous district court litigation and ITC investigations related to the company’s microprocessor and graphics processing unit designs. He has handled patent litigation, arbitrations and trade secret disputes and managed international patent and trademark portfolios for clients in the oil and gas industries. VanHoutan, who is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, comes to McGuireWoods from Winston & Strawn.
“Over 15 years Tyler has built a thriving practice handling complex disputes for companies in dynamic industries, and his experience enhances our strengths in energy and semiconductor patent litigation,” said Brian Riopelle, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation and Patents Department.
“Global companies trust Tyler to help them advance their innovations and manage their trademark and patent portfolios,” added Thomas M. Farrell, managing partner of the firm’s Houston office. “He is an important addition who will broaden our client service capabilities in Houston and nationally.”
“McGuireWoods has a stellar reputation for representing industry leaders in high-stakes IP and patent litigation matters throughout the county, and I know my clients will benefit from the firm’s strong platform,” VanHoutan said.
Besides his intellectual property and patent litigation work, VanHoutan regularly handles pro bono cases for the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, and Disability Rights Texas.
McGuireWoods’ intellectual property practice represents clients from virtually every sector of the global economy. The team provides comprehensive solutions to help individuals and companies develop and protect creative, technological and business innovations. Among its numerous honors, the firm’s trade secret settlement for client DuPont was recognized by The American Lawyer as one of the world’s most impressive dispute resolutions in its 2015 Global Legal Awards.