Thelen LLP

Mr. Slenkovich is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer, who represents technology companies in intellectual property disputes and complex commercial litigation. His intellectual property experience includes numerous patent, trade secret and trademark cases, including disputes alleging infringement or misappropriation of source code, semiconductor technology, equipment and manufacturing process technology, business methods, confidential data compilations, insurance coverage for intellectual property claims, and licensing disputes. As part of his intellectual property practice, Mr. Slenkovich regularly represents companies before the U.S. International Trade Commission. His commercial litigation experience includes cases involving unfair trade practices as well as complex contract disputes arising out of the technology, energy, construction and financial services industries. Mr. Slenkovich has tried over a dozen jury and court trials to verdict in state and federal courtrooms throughout the country.

Representing plaintiff as lead counsel in declaratory judgment action challenging validity of patents related to internet marketing technology.

Representing respondent as lead counsel before International Trade Commission in action seeking exclusion order barring importation of semiconductor chips on the basis of alleged process patent infringement.

Represented plaintiff in patent case arising out of semiconductor gas and chemical delivery technology. As lead trial counsel, obtained first verdict of validity, infringement and permanent injunction following the seminal KSR v. Teleflex decision.

Represented plaintiff in trade secrets case involving semiconductor process technology. As lead trial counsel, obtained permanent injunction barring use of proprietary technology and former employee contact with competitor.

Represented defendant in trade secrets case involving competing semiconductor companies. As lead trial counsel, successfully defended case against threatened product injunction.

Represented plaintiff in claims arising out pharmaceutical plant's high purity gas delivery system. As lead trial counsel, obtained $26 million trial victory for client.

Represented insured sunglass manufacturer in litigation to establish coverage for multiple patent infringement litigations under commercial general liability policies. As lead trial counsel, obtained judgment establishing coverage.

Recent additional matters include representation of leading semiconductor manufacturer in multiple patent litigations arising out of DRAM technology, representation of defendant manufacturer in patent litigation involving flash memory chip technology, representation of defendant in patent and trade secret case arising out of flat screen extrusion technology, representation of plaintiff in claims regarding defective media supplied for hard disk drives, representation of plaintiff in patent infringement claims involving electronic design automation software, and representation of defendant in patent and trade secret claims arising out of installation of new semiconductor fabrication processes.

University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) (J.D., 1987)

Colorado College (B.A., cum laude, 1983)
Phi Beta Kappa

California, 1987

Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
All U.S. District Courts of California

California Bar Association
American Bar Association
International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association

Analyzing Developments In Invalidation Jurisprudence, March 27, 2008, Fifth Annual IQPC Patent Strategies Program, San Francisco

Trying Patent Cases Under the New  KSR Standard, August 2007, PLI Hot Topic Briefing, San Francisco

Exploring Why Changes in Patent Law, Technology, and the Economy Require Companies to be on Top of Software Intellectual Property Law Issues: New Economy Issues in Old Economy Companies, September 2007, IQPC Legal IQ, Patent Strategies, New York

Guest Lecture on Patent Law, Santa Clara University Patent Law Course, October 2007, Santa Clara

The Changing Landscape of Obviousness in the Wake of KSR, January 2008, PLI Patent Law Institute, San Francisco

Best Practices in Corporate Technology Purchasing, January 2006, Technology Law Updates

FTC Writes New Chapter in Rambus Patents/Standards-Setting Saga, August 2006, Technology Law Updates

Trying A Patent Validity Case In A Post KSR World, IP Law360, July 17, 2007

Triple Dose of Bad News to Non-Practicing Patent Holders, IP Frontline, August 29, 2007; also published in California State Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, New Matter, October 2007, Vol. 32, Number 3