Cris has more than twenty-five years of experience. His practice focuses on patent litigation, intellectual property monetization, and the protection of core corporate assets for technology-driven companies and inventors.

Cris has managed and litigated more than 100 matters across a wide range of industries, including patent, trademark, copyright, and complex business litigation. He represents clients in federal district courts nationwide and has significant experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Federal Circuits. He is known for developing practical, business-focused litigation strategies and for guiding matters efficiently from pre-suit investigation through trial and appeal.

Having served as both outside counsel and in-house counsel, Cris brings a client-centric perspective to legal and strategic decision-making. He previously held senior roles at leading international law firms, including Dorsey & Whitney LLP and K&L Gates LLP, and served as Director of Intellectual Property Litigation at Intellectual Ventures Management, LLC. This combination of law-firm and in-house experience enables him to align legal outcomes with broader business objectives.

Cris earned his B.S., cum laude, from Washington State University and his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. He is actively involved in pro bono work and community service.

Representative Cases:

Cris served as lead trial counsel defending an innovative startup in a bet the company patent litigation brought by the dominant incumbent. After three years of litigation and a three-week trial, Cris and his team secured a multi-million dollar jury verdict on counterclaims brought by their client.

Cris was lead counsel representing a large publicly traded corporation in defense of a copyright complaint alleging infringement of thousands of photographs. Following multiple rounds of briefing, the case was dismissed on summary judgment.

Cris represented an international startup in high stakes patent litigation filed against its chief rival in a nascent telecommunications market. Following summary judgement briefing, Cris negotiated a favorable settlement involving a payment to his client for past damages and ongoing royalties.

Cris represented a multinational publicly traded corporation in defense of several copyright allegations. Following several motions to dismiss filed on behalf of our client, the case was dismissed with prejudice by the plaintiff. Our client paid nothing.

Cris represented the owner of several families of patented technologies in international licensing efforts. Cris and his team successfully negotiated and executed numerous licenses and cross-licenses without the need for litigation.

Admissions:

• Member of the California State Bar
• Member of the Washington State Bar
• Admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California
• Admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
• Admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
• Admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
• Admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit