James A. (Tripp) Fussell III

An East Texas native and former Eastern District of Texas law clerk, Tripp has successfully represented clients – both plaintiffs and defendants – in over a hundred cases in Texas. Many of these cases have involved complex technologies, where Tripp has developed a knack for simplifying matters for a jury. Clients benefit from Tripp's engineering background, as he's familiar with a wide array of technologies, including digital media transmission, semiconductors, operating systems, wired and wireless networks, enterprise security systems, network identity management, light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), data storage systems, medical devices and consumer electronics fields. Tripp also has been involved in cases implicating standard setting organizations, and he is well versed in the nuances of litigating standard essential patents. Tripp has wide-ranging experience in all phases of patent litigation, including prefiling investigation, discovery, claim construction, and trial, as well as settlement negotiations and licensing agreements.

Clients further regard Tripp as a highly proficient strategist with a long track record of developing successful approaches to handling disputes, as well as counseling clients on all aspects of IP portfolio management, including prosecution, acquisition, and licensing. Tripp focuses on the strategic nexus associated with patent prosecution and litigation, which is increasingly important in light of new procedures for challenging patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (e.g., post grant review and inter partes review).

Tripp clerked for the Honorable David Folsom of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, which exposed him to all aspects of the judicial system, including many patent infringement trials in both the Texarkana and Marshall Divisions of the Eastern District of Texas.

Clients Tripp has served include Maxell, Ltd., Pantech Corporation, EDST, LLC, Sipco, LLC, and EVE Energy Co., Ltd.

• EVE Energy Company, Ltd. in patent litigation in the Eastern District of Texas against VARTA Microbattery GmbH in a case involving alleged infringement of seven VARTA patents.
• Maxell, Ltd. in securing a victory before the Eastern District of Texas's Texarkana Division in a patent infringement case against ZTE USA, Inc. The litigation involved seven patents directed towards smartphone and tablet technology, including navigation, power management, audio, and camera features. After a 10-day trial, the jury returned a verdict finding that each of the seven patents was infringed by ZTE and awarding Maxell $43.3 million in damages.