Published by Gbaf News
Posted on January 19, 2018
Trained as organic chemist, Dr. Evain brings extensive track record successfully trying IP disputes involving pharma, chemical, energy, manufacturing and other sectors, securing $500 million in claims; arrival broadens G&E’s global litigation platform
Leading litigation law firm Grant & Eisenhofer has launched a broad-based intellectual property practice led by Wilmington, Del.-based IP trial lawyer and chemist Eric Evain. Dr. Evain, who joins G&E as a director, was a partner with Reed Smith and previously with Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz in Wilmington.
The addition marks Grant & Eisenhofer’s latest expansion beyond its historic representation of investors in shareholder actions and corporate governance disputes. In recent years, G&E – which marked its 20th anniversary in 2017 – has broadened its platform to include representation of plaintiffs in private antitrust actions, bankruptcy matters, products liability cases, consumer class actions, mass torts and other areas.
Dr. Evain, who holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, has extensive experience litigating patent, trademark and trade secrets cases, as both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel. He has represented some of the world’s largest manufacturers in chemical-related IP disputes involving pharmaceuticals, petroleum, polymers and other specialized products. His litigation successes have earned clients over $500 million in the past 15 years.
Dr. Evain prevailed last year in a jury trial in the District of Delaware representing global specialty chemical company Evonik in a consolidated patent infringement action over metathesis catalysts. The verdict in Evonik Degussa GmbH v. Materia Inc. confirmed the validity of Evonik’s patent based on the discovery of Professor Wolfgang Hermann, President of the Technical University of Munich. Dr. Evain also represented global chemical manufacturer, Albemarle Corp., in several patent and trade secret cases involving flame retardants and bromine production that spanned multiple district courts over six years.
G&E co-managing directors Stuart Grant and Jay Eisenhofer commented on Dr. Evain’s arrival and the launch of the new practice: “Over the past decade we’ve selectively taken on cases involving intellectual property and trade secrets, and felt the time was right to create a dedicated IP capability to complement our existing work on behalf of investors and consumers,” they said.
“We welcome Eric to head our new practice offering. He brings outstanding trial skills and an impressive record of courtroom success for his clients on some of their most challenging IP matters,” they added. “Eric’s strong background as a scientist who holds a number of his own chemical-related patents makes him additionally qualified in understanding the technical aspects of complex patent cases.”
Dr. Evain said, “Grant & Eisenhofer’s stellar reputation in complex financial litigation, and its 21-year record of advocacy and outstanding recovery for its clients, make it the ideal place to practice. The fact that G&E is one of the leading trial firms in Delaware, but also has a national and global practice while maintaining the feel of a boutique, was also highly appealing. I am honored to have the opportunity to help build G&E’s profile as a first-tier IP litigation firm alongside its other strengths.”
Prior to practicing law, Dr. Evain worked for more than a decade as a corporate research scientist in the specialty chemicals, polyolefin and petroleum industries. A frequent speaker on IP law, he has also authored numerous scientific articles, and is a named inventor on a variety of foreign and domestic patents.
He received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Northland College, and his J.D. cum laude from the Widener University School of Law. He obtained his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Idaho.
Trained as organic chemist, Dr. Evain brings extensive track record successfully trying IP disputes involving pharma, chemical, energy, manufacturing and other sectors, securing $500 million in claims; arrival broadens G&E’s global litigation platform
Leading litigation law firm Grant & Eisenhofer has launched a broad-based intellectual property practice led by Wilmington, Del.-based IP trial lawyer and chemist Eric Evain. Dr. Evain, who joins G&E as a director, was a partner with Reed Smith and previously with Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz in Wilmington.
The addition marks Grant & Eisenhofer’s latest expansion beyond its historic representation of investors in shareholder actions and corporate governance disputes. In recent years, G&E – which marked its 20th anniversary in 2017 – has broadened its platform to include representation of plaintiffs in private antitrust actions, bankruptcy matters, products liability cases, consumer class actions, mass torts and other areas.
Dr. Evain, who holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, has extensive experience litigating patent, trademark and trade secrets cases, as both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel. He has represented some of the world’s largest manufacturers in chemical-related IP disputes involving pharmaceuticals, petroleum, polymers and other specialized products. His litigation successes have earned clients over $500 million in the past 15 years.
Dr. Evain prevailed last year in a jury trial in the District of Delaware representing global specialty chemical company Evonik in a consolidated patent infringement action over metathesis catalysts. The verdict in Evonik Degussa GmbH v. Materia Inc. confirmed the validity of Evonik’s patent based on the discovery of Professor Wolfgang Hermann, President of the Technical University of Munich. Dr. Evain also represented global chemical manufacturer, Albemarle Corp., in several patent and trade secret cases involving flame retardants and bromine production that spanned multiple district courts over six years.
G&E co-managing directors Stuart Grant and Jay Eisenhofer commented on Dr. Evain’s arrival and the launch of the new practice: “Over the past decade we’ve selectively taken on cases involving intellectual property and trade secrets, and felt the time was right to create a dedicated IP capability to complement our existing work on behalf of investors and consumers,” they said.
“We welcome Eric to head our new practice offering. He brings outstanding trial skills and an impressive record of courtroom success for his clients on some of their most challenging IP matters,” they added. “Eric’s strong background as a scientist who holds a number of his own chemical-related patents makes him additionally qualified in understanding the technical aspects of complex patent cases.”
Dr. Evain said, “Grant & Eisenhofer’s stellar reputation in complex financial litigation, and its 21-year record of advocacy and outstanding recovery for its clients, make it the ideal place to practice. The fact that G&E is one of the leading trial firms in Delaware, but also has a national and global practice while maintaining the feel of a boutique, was also highly appealing. I am honored to have the opportunity to help build G&E’s profile as a first-tier IP litigation firm alongside its other strengths.”
Prior to practicing law, Dr. Evain worked for more than a decade as a corporate research scientist in the specialty chemicals, polyolefin and petroleum industries. A frequent speaker on IP law, he has also authored numerous scientific articles, and is a named inventor on a variety of foreign and domestic patents.
He received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Northland College, and his J.D. cum laude from the Widener University School of Law. He obtained his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Idaho.
Explore more articles in the Top Stories category
