Marla R. Butler
Experience
- In addition to patent litigation experience, has been the lead lawyer in matters that have been resolved by trial, mediation and arbitration.
- Member of the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Executive Board.
- Chair of the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Diversity Committee.
- Member of the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Technology Committee.
- Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a highly selective Trial Lawyer Honor Society. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.
Selected Results*
Along with two other firm lawyers, tried a patent infringement case on behalf of a patent owner, a large medical device manufacturer, against a large competitor company. The case was settled on the eve of closing arguments.
Was part of the team of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. lawyers that represented Intergraph Hardware Technologies Company in a patent infringement action against major computer manufacturers. Ms. Butler was responsible for gathering evidence of infringement, including through depositions of Intel engineers who designed and developed the Pentium family microprocessors. On behalf of Intergraph, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. recovered a total of $500 million in settlements as follows:
Hewlett Packard $141 million, with cross licenses;
Dell/Intel $225 million;
Gateway $12 million plus ongoing royalties;
AMD $20 million plus potential future royalty profits;
IBM $10 million plus a license to IBM’s portfolio;
Toshiba and NEC, confidential settlements
Lead Licensing campaign following litigation:
Fujitsu $9.75 million;
Sony $15 million;
Acer $7.5 million; and
Other licenses
Currently represents inventor asserting patent related to computer hard drive technology in action against computer and hard drive manufacturers.
Currently represents inventor asserting patents related to open network communications in 5 separate actions against mobile phone manufacturers.
Recognition
- Recipient of the "One Child, One Lawyer Volunteer of the Year" award, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (2007)**
Memberships
- American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law
- Georgia Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section
- Georgia's Stonewall Bar Association
- American Constitution Society
- Litigation Counsel of America
Civic Associations
- Lambda Legal, Board of Directors
- YouthPride, Board of Directors
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Education
- Florida State University College of Law, J.D., cum laude (1997); placed first in the Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, sponsored by Florida Bar (1995); placed first in the Southeastern Invitational Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by Young Lawyers Section of the Georgia Bar (1996); president of the Florida State University Mock Trial Team (1996-97)
- Cleveland State University, B.A.
Articles
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Alternative Dispute Resolution in IP Matters
Inside the Minds: Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution
(2008)
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Current Georgia Law Applying Risk-Utility Analysis To Design Defect Claims: Traps for the Plaintiff and Opportunities for the Defendant
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. (April 23, 1999)
Selected Speeches
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Patent Infringement Litigation
Patent Resources Group, Omni Orlando, Orlando, Florida
(April 23-25, 2009)
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Being Wicked
ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, New York, New York
(August 9, 2008)
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Diversity and GLTB Attorneys: Overcoming Workplace Challenges
Minority Corporate Counsel Association, New York, New York
(November 8, 2007)
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Leveraging to Your Professional Advantage Through Diversity
Lavender Law, Chicago, Illinois
(September 7, 2007)
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Patent Infringement Litigation
Patent Resources Group, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL
(April 16-18, 2007)
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Managing Patent Prosecution and Litigation (Seminar Co-Chair)
Law Seminars International, Atlanta, Georgia
(December 13, 2006)
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Contributor or Troll? Should the value of an invention evaporate because it's no longer in the inventor's hands? What constitutes a troll? The different varieties, roles and value in our society. (Moderator)
Law Seminars International, Atlanta, Georgia
(December 13, 2006)
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Alternative Fee Arrangements for Complex Litigation
MCCA Conference, Chicago, IL
(March 16, 2006)