DLA Piper sign logo in San Francisco (Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM) DLA Piper Exhibited 'Far From Exemplary Conduct' in Patent Infringement Case, Judge Finds
A Delaware federal judge found that the firm could keep representing a plaintiff even though it also counsels the defendant's parent company. The opinion could have broader implications for firms and attorneys representing multi-layered businesses.
November 01, 2024 at 04:08 PM
4 minute read
Legal Services
What You Need to Know
- A federal judge in Delaware declined to disqualify DLA Piper from representing a biotech company suing another company for patent infringement, despite DLA also representing the defendant's parent company in other matters.
- While U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissed the defense motion to have DLA Piper disqualified, she also took DLA to task for failing to disclose the potential conflict.
- DLA Piper was permitted to continue representing the plaintiff, Harbour Antibodies BV, despite the judge's strongly worded opinion that noted DLA engaged in 'far from exemplary conduct.'
A federal judge has ruled that DLA Piper can continue representing a plaintiff in a patent infringement dispute even though the firm also counsels the defendant's parent company, in a case that could have implications for Big Law when it comes to identifying and disclosing conflicts of interest.
In an October 23 decision, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, of the District of Delaware, agreed with a report by a special master that recommended denying a defense motion to disqualify DLA Piper as plaintiffs' counsel. But the judge also admonished DLA Piper for its "far from exemplary conduct" in handling the matter.
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