Technology is the vehicle connecting every sector of the world economy. To reflect this integration, McGuireWoods’ technology industry team marries industry-specific technical depth with the inherent legal needs of doing business in a global marketplace, including transactional matters (M&A, private equity, financing), litigation, IP creation and protection, data privacy and security, and regulatory issues.
Our team of lawyers includes those with advanced technical and science degrees, as well as industry and work experience in fields such as computer science, software, Internet, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, molecular and cell biology, immunology, and other high-tech fields. Some have held leadership positions in high-tech-related agencies such as the U.S. Patent Office (PTO).
Because technology is tied inextricably to data privacy and security, our technology team often draws upon the significant resources of our data privacy and security lawyers. The data privacy and security team is an interdisciplinary group dedicated to proactively counseling on, investigating, and remediating issues involving this rapidly evolving area of law.
Our litigators have equal depth in the full range of IP matters — patent litigation, patent prosecution and counseling, software technology, technology and outsourcing, and mobile application technology. Our technology clients include some of the largest companies in the Fortune 100, and we have handled much high-profile patent and other litigation for our clients in high-tech industries.
For example, we represented one of one of the largest U.S. cellular companies in a patent infringement case against a major competitor, resulting in a $58 million jury award and an injunction against the competitor. Our team members have also represented the largest Korea-based manufacturer of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) in a key competitor-to-competitor patent litigation matter; the world’s largest manufacturers of plasma display panels (PDPs) in several high-profile patent infringement suits against a significant competitor; and a biomedical company in a complex multinational arbitration relating to orthopedic and spinal biologics technology with an award of more than $80 million for the client, in addition to preserving exclusive ownership of all IP rights.
On the transactional side, the technology group includes equally broad and deep experience. We handle matters in banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial transactions, fund development, corporate finance, commercial contracts, cross-border sales and tax advice. For example, we represented a wireless company in a joint venture to provide commercial wireless cellular Internet services to the 1.6 billion New York City Transit Authority subway riders within the city’s 277 underground subway stations. We represented a leading NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company in connection with a $500 million exchange offer and a Rule 144A $400 million contingent convertible senior notes offering. For the CEO of a NASDAQ-listed credit card processor, we represented a special committee in an $800 million acquisition; and for a Korean electronics company, we assisted in the sale of its power device division for $455 million.
As a point of distinction, our lawyers have the advantage of tapping the extensive network of professionals in our public affairs subsidiary, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, many of whom aid clients in shaping national and international regulations affecting all technology-related legislative and regulatory developments.