People

Tim Carroll Partner

Chicago

Tim focuses his practice on cutting-edge technologies, including mobile apps, location-based services, messaging systems, medical devices, content-management platforms, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, and green technologies. Whether serving as lead trial counsel before the International Trade Commission (ITC), successfully arguing before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, or obtaining an outright win on liability grounds in the fabled Western District of Texas, he has secured scores of victories for his clients.

Tim first-chairs all of his cases, securing trial wins and preliminary injunctions, forcing adversaries to stipulate to noninfringement, winning summary judgment awards, prevailing in claim-construction arguments, and securing substantial attorneys' fee awards. He routinely leads joint defense groups involving some of the largest and most sophisticated companies and law firms in the country. His national high-stakes practice, aggressive but fair approach, exceptional advocacy skills, and impressive win-loss record have all contributed to the strong rapport he has built with clients and colleagues.

Tim has successfully litigated dozens of trade secret disputes involving military weaponry and defense systems, aerospace products, and financial technologies, and has extensive experience in inter partes reviews (IPRs) and other post-grant proceedings. Tim maintains a thorough understanding of the search and archiving platforms used by modern corporations, enabling him to provide counsel to more than 100 global businesses, including two Fortune 15 companies, on adopting and implementing lawful complaint information management programs and e-discovery and litigation readiness initiatives.

Bas de Blank Partner

Silicon Valley

In addition to his ITC practice, Bas also heads Orrick’s contentious prosecution practice. He has led more than 30 IPRs and first-chaired more than a dozen trials before the United States Patent Office, as well as represented clients in dozens of trials in district courts, and before PTAB.

As someone with degrees in both engineering and English literature, Bas is uniquely suited to present complicated topics to non-technical audiences. He has represented clients in fields as diverse as semiconductor processing and structure, GPS and geosynchronous satellites, image texture and graphics processing, Internet switches and communications, and various consumer products.

Yali Hu Senior Associate

Beijing

Yali assists local- and foreign-based multinational companies with all aspects of their intellectual property rights in China, Europe and the United States, including Section 337 U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) litigation. Yali has extensional experience in patent, trademark, domain name, copyright and trade secret.

Yali’s intellectual property-related services include patent filing and subsequent maintenance affairs for her clients.

Mimiao Hu Of Counsel

Beijing

Her work has included trademark and copyright protection strategies, intellectual property litigation, unfair competition, intellectual property due diligence, cybersquatting and related technology issues. Mimiao has also advised clients on export regulation of military and dual-use items and customs regulation in China. In addition, Mimiao works extensively on cybersecurity & data privacy issues for both Chinese and international clients.

Prior to joining Orrick, Mimiao was a senior associate in the Beijing and Shanghai offices of a major PRC law firm.

Yufeng (Ethan) Ma Partner

Beijing; Chicago

In addition to specializing in complex IP litigation relating to patent infringement, ITC 337 investigations, trade secrets misappropriation and unfair competition, Ethan has extensive experience advising clients on IP administrative disputes and reexamination, IP strategies, IP due diligence, and IP aspects of strategic transactions, including licensing or transfer, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and collaborations. His clients cover a wide range of industries, including medical devices, hardwares, softwares, internet, semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, AI, automobile, chemical, materials, energy, etc. His recent clients include Baidu, Tencent, SMIC, JD.com, Micro-Tech, Vivo, Coolpad, Anker, OnePlus, Govee, LANHE, Lovense, Zhejiang Rongpeng, Sansi Electronic Engineering, Yaham Optoelectronics, CreateLED Electronics, Howshow Technology, Huayi Mechanical and Electrical, INFiLED Electronics, Applied Materials, Synopsys, Coilcaft, Hecate, etc.

Over the years, Ethan has represented dozens of Chinese companies in resolving their IP disputes in the U.S. Ethan and his litigation teams won a number of high-profile ITC investigations involving Chinese companies and earned clients’ long-term trust. In one investigation (337-TA-623), his clients are four subsidiaries of a large state-owned company in China, who were sued for patent infringement. The Commission reversed the late Chief Administrative Law Judge’s unfavorable decision and found that Ethan’s clients were not infringing and did not violate Section 337. In another investigation (337-TA-655), he represented the complainant and its subsidiaries in China suing a group of Chinese respondents for trade secret misappropriation. The ITC issued a 10-year exclusion order against these respondents. This landmark decision represents a new development of trade secret law and ITC jurisdiction in the U.S., and was upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Since then, Ethan has won case after case on behalf of his clients. He is also committed to resolving disputes in the most cost-effective and timely way. “Ethan always tries to resolve matters for clients at the lowest cost possible,” said a client who won a case as he recommended Ethan to his peers.

For instance, in 2017, Ethan successfully defended Shenzhen Howshow Technology against Kent Displays, Inc. in an ITC 337 investigation (337-TA-1035) involving alleged infringement of patents relating to liquid crystal e-writers and components. Orrick secured a complete victory for the client by forcing the complainant to unconditionally withdraw after four months of active litigation. The case was named “Deal of the Year 2017 – Disputes and Investigations” by China Business Law Journal.

In another case, Ethan successfully defended Sansi Electronic Engineering, CreateLED Electronics, Yaham Optoelectronics. and other Chinese respondents against Ultravision Technologies in an ITC Section 337 investigation (337-TA-1114) filed on 27 March 2018 involving alleged infringement of patents relating to certain modular LED display panels and components. The complainant was forced to withdraw the complaint unconditionally during the expert discovery period in November 2018, which led to a final termination by the ITC on 21 February 2019.

Prior to joining Orrick, Ethan served as Director of IP, Asia of a world leader in specialty glass and ceramics, where he was in charge of the company’s daily IP matters in China and throughout Asia. Before that, he was a partner and member of the Board at McAndrews, Held & Malloy in Chicago, Illinois. Ethan was the first non-US born lawyer of that firm.

In the past 20 years, Ethan has been committed to building bridges and facilitating understanding between China and the US on IP protection and exchange. In addition to being a frequent speaker at various seminars and conferences in China and the US, Ethan regularly publishes articles and has been interviewed by numerous media. He served as a committee member of the Asian Legal Committee of Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) for many years.

Ethan is also actively involved in the “One Belt One Road” and “Going Out” initiatives led by the PRC government and non-profit organizations. He participated in Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce’s “Going Overseas Service Portal” project, and acts as an expert of Shenzhen Overseas IP Protection and Assistance Expert Pool, a special advisor to Wisdom IP - Overseas Intellectual Property Alliance (WIPA), Nanjing, Jiangsu, an expert in Nanjing Overseas IP Think Tank, Zehjiang Dongyang IP Think Tank, Shanghai International Economic and Trade IP Protection Overseas Expert Pool, and one of the first batch experts in Shanghai Overseas IP Disputes Resolution Expert Pool.

Josh Pond Partner

Washington, D.C.

Josh is a Global and U.S. Chambers-ranked Section 337 advocate before the U.S. International Trade Commission. He is also a D.C. Super Lawyer in IP litigation, and Patexia has consistently ranked him as a “most-active” and "best performing" ITC practitioner for each of the past five years.

Josh’s practice centers on blocking and defending imports before the ITC. He regularly serves as lead ITC counsel for domestic and international companies – particularly those from Asia and Europe – in Section 337 investigations. Over the past decade, Josh has been to ITC trial for over a dozen Fortune Global 500 companies. He focuses on matters involving brand protection, patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, international trade secret theft and unfair competition claims.

In addition to the ITC, Josh is active before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. District Courts and the Federal Circuit. Recent patent-validity challenge highlights at the USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board include a complete five-patent Inter Partes Review defense victory, as well as a two-patent invalidating IPR win, affirmed at the Federal Circuit, as well as a key patent defense through Ex Parte Reexamination. Josh’s most recent District Court win was a jury verdict in favor of his client ScentAir in Delaware. Abroad, China has featured prominently among recent global forums for Josh’s matters, as well as Canada and Germany.

Josh’s IP portfolio strategies are catered to meeting enforcement challenges. His clients include companies ranging from startups to multinationals in electronics, consumer products, telecommunications, mechanical and medical devices, and biochemicals.

A founding member of the Advisory Council to Georgetown's Institute for Technology Law & Policy, Josh also has been a fellow in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s IP Law Institute. He was a founding editor of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association’s 337 Reporter Round-Up.

Josh served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a field artillery captain. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf and awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. As part of his pro bono service, Josh advocates for fellow veterans with the “Lawyers Serving Warriors” team of the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

Prior to joining Orrick, Josh co-led a global law firm’s ITC Section 337 litigation practice.

Sophia Shen Managing Associate

Beijing

Sophia’s practice focuses on IP-related legal advice and litigation. She advises regional and international clients on their IP issues related to both cross-border disputes and transactions.

Sophia focuses on defending Chinese companies in patent and trademark litigation before various U.S. District Courts, as well as Section 337 U.S. International Trade Commission investigations.

She has experience in patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret-related matters, responsible for providing legal counseling, conducting due diligence and legal research, and drafting business contracts.

Jeannie J. Shin Partner

San Francisco

Jeannie advises private and public companies on a full range of their corporate needs, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, corporate restructurings and capital raising transactions. In particular, Jeannie has extensive experience with cross-border transactions. Jeannie has acted as lead M&A counsel in numerous transactions representing clients both on the sell-side and buy-side. She has extensive experience representing clients in a wide range of industries, including software, internet, life sciences, energy, semiconductors, and consumer products and retail. As a member of Orrick’s Technology Companies Group, Jeannie also represents high growth technology companies and venture capital and other investors and has extensive experience with start-up companies in their formation, debt and equity financings, private placements and general corporate counseling.  

James Stengel Partner

New York

Jim is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer in legal publications such as Chambers USA and Benchmark Litigation. Chambers notes Jim is "able to handle a wide range of mass torts and class actions, including particular strength in toxic tort-related mandates.” Clients told the publication that Jim “is extremely professional, with excellent brief writing and oral arguments,” calling him “a great guy and a great lawyer."  

Jim has served in a variety of management roles at Orrick, including Managing Director of Litigation, Member of the Executive Committee and Board, Lead Director, and as a member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Jim has written and lectured on complex litigation and mass tort subjects at a variety of law schools and seminars.

Before joining Orrick, Jim was a partner at Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine LLP.

Jie Jeffrey Sun Partner

Beijing

Jeffrey has extensive experience representing both Chinese enterprises in fund raising and investing abroad and foreign investors investing in China.

He regularly represents issuers and underwriters in the U.S. and Hong Kong public securities offerings, including initial public offerings (IPOs) and Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings for PRC-based companies.

In addition, he is experienced in handling complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, strategic alliances, joint ventures and regulatory compliance matters for numerous foreign investors and Chinese companies. He also counsels global private equity funds on their investment activity throughout Greater China and across Asia.

Some clients he has represented include Bright Food, JD.com, Trina Solar, China Sunergy, Perfect World, ReneSola, Tudou, Pactera Technologies and some international investment banks and private equity funds.

Jeffrey is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer for China M&A by prestigious legal publications such as Chambers Asia, Asia-Pacific Legal 500 and IFLR1000. Clients recognizes him as “an excellent business partner, above his legal counsel role”, who “gives practical advice not only based on legal proficiency, but really helpful for our business”.

Prior to joining Orrick, Mr. Sun worked with a major international law firm, and he was a former partner in a local law firm based in Shanghai.

Christopher Vejnoska Senior Counsel to the Office of General Counsel

San Francisco

In his practice, Chris has been a first chair trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience handling high stakes, precedent-setting cases, particularly in the products liability arena. His most recent products liability engagements included serving as trial counsel for a large talc company, including trying to conclusion one of the very first mesothelioma cases against it, and leading a cross-office international and national team defending multiple Chinese companies in a historic MDL. At times, a client asked Chris to lead five or more trial teams in products cases in a single year.

Chris also has acted as national counsel for companies facing thousands of mass tort product liability claims and complex, multiparty class action litigation, and has counseled multinational companies entangled in lengthy, enterprise-threatening litigation and negotiated legal and business solutions involving billions of dollars. He has extensive experience in complex and commercial litigation, ranging from insurance recovery disputes to trade secrets issues, and has significant experience in assisting foreign aerospace companies with international arbitration disputes with first-tier aircraft manufacturers.

Earlier in his career, Chris represented large public companies in mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments and private financings; private companies in initial public offerings; and emerging growth companies in general corporate matters. Chris' transactional experience also offers clients a unique perspective on risk mitigation strategies to avoid costly litigation in the future.

Chris also chaired Orrick’s Risk Management Committee and served on its Operations Team.  Prior to joining the firm, Chris was a partner at Clifford Chance and a partner at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, where he was a member of the Policy Committee, a member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Risk Management Committee and Chair of the Hiring Committee.

Martha Wang Managing Associate

Beijing

Martha regularly represents Chinese and international clients in cross-border M&A, private equity investments and financings, joint ventures, foreign direct investments and other compliance matters.

She has represented clients from a broad range of industries, including TMT, financial services, healthcare, consumer products, energy, manufacturing, etc.

In addition, she has experience in handling initial public offerings, debt and equity securities offerings, pre-IPO investments, as well as advising on restructuring, employment, antitrust, and general corporate matters.