Biedermann Technologies v. K2M (E.D.V.A.) — Examined expert witness in connection with litigation against K2M, alleging that K2M's spinal systems infringed multiple patents related to pedicle screw systems and interbody implants. In September 2022, the jury returned a verdict awarding Biedermann $17 million in damages.
AECOM v. Topolewski (C.D. Cal.) — Represented AECOM, a leading infrastructure firm, in false advertising and trademark litigation against a competitor. Responsibilities included leading day-to-day case management through discovery and summary judgment briefing. The Court granted AECOM’s motion for terminating sanctions and awarded $36 million.
Hanagami v. Epic Games, Inc. (C.D. Cal.) — Won motion to dismiss for Epic Games in the first case in U.S. legal history to consider the copyrightability of dance steps. In eight prior lawsuits, the plaintiffs asserted that Epic Games’ and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.’s Fortnite and NBA 2K video games, respectively, violated the plaintiffs’ copyright, publicity, and trademark rights. Kirkland was recognized as Runner-Up for The American Lawyer “Litigation Daily’s Litigator of the Week.”
24/7 v. LivePerson (N.D. Cal.) — Represented LivePerson in action for trade secret misappropriation against [24]7.ai, Inc. After a four-week jury trial, the jury awarded $30 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Alexander v. Take-Two (S.D. Ill.) — Successfully defended Take-Two and other defendants in a lawsuit alleging that Take-Two’s WWE 2K video game infringed the plaintiff’s copyrights in tattoos she inked on WWE wrestler Randy Orton. At trial, the plaintiff requested $27.3 million in damages, but the jury awarded only $3,700 in actual damages and none of the defendants’ profits.
IP Bridge v. Intel (E.D. Tex.) — Represented Intel in a nine-patent lawsuit involving semiconductor fabrication and led all aspects of litigation for an asserted patent, including non-infringement defense, invalidity, and expert opinions. Also involved in parallel proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Red Hat v. Intellectual Ventures Management (D. Del.) — Represented Red Hat in a declaratory judgment action against an Intellectual Ventures-associated patent assertion entity on patents related to cloud computing. In 2021, the case was dismissed after Red Hat obtained a favorable settlement.
