Partner

Irene Yang

IP Litigation
Technology

irene.yang@sidley.com

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IRENE YANG, co-head of the firm’s IP Litigation practice, is a trial lawyer representing clients in the high tech and life sciences industries in their patent and complex commercial disputes. Clients emphasize that “Irene shows unwavering dedication to her clients. She is an invaluable strategic partner in navigating tricky issues” (Chambers USA, 2024).

Irene has extensive experience in cases involving a diverse set of products and technologies, such as networking and telecommunications, software, semiconductors, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer devices, as well as cases involving FRAND obligations for standard-essential patents. Her litigation experience spans patent litigation, contractual disputes, trademark and trade dress infringement claims, business torts, antitrust litigation, and trade secret claims.

“Irene Yang is ‘nothing short of remarkable. She is an extremely hardworking and skilled practitioner, who is very knowledgeable, highly organised and diligent, and provides sound practical advice. She is very responsive…’”
IAM Patent 1000 2023

Irene has obtained significant jury trial victories and led litigation teams that achieved wins prior to trial. She regularly serves as lead counsel in her clients’ important disputes across a range of industries.

Irene has represented clients before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U.S. District Courts in California, Texas, Delaware, Illinois, New York, and Florida; the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB); and California state courts. She also counsels clients on intellectual property issues, assists with intellectual property due diligence in connection with transactional matters, and serves as a Court-appointed Mediator for the Northern District of California’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program. Irene’s pro bono work includes employment discrimination litigation, veterans’ benefits applications, and immigration and asylum proceedings.

Irene earned a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a B.S. in computer science from Stanford University.

Awards and Rankings

Benchmark Litigation’s “Future Star” (2024–2025) and “40 & Under List” for IP Litigation (2022)
Chambers USA: California – Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation (2022–2024)
Daily Journal, “Top Intellectual Property Lawyer” (2024)
IAM Patent 1000 (2023–2024)
Lawdragon, “500 Leading Litigators in America” (2022–2024)
Law360, “Rising Star” (2019)
Super Lawyers, Northern California (2019‒2020; 2023–2024)
Super Lawyers, “Rising Star” (2016)

Experience

Highlights of Irene's experience include:

Biscotti Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation (E.D. Tex.) – Represented Microsoft in a patent infringement suit related to videoconferencing technologies. Obtained a complete defense jury verdict of non-infringement and invalidity following a one-week trial in Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.
Represented a multinational technology company in multi-patent litigation involving telecommunications, consumer electronics, and software (W.D. Tex.). The case settled favorably immediately before trial.
Defended a Fortune 500 company in a patent infringement suit involving technologies used in e-commerce platforms. Obtained a defense jury verdict in the Eastern District of Texas following a one-week trial.
Represented a blockchain telecommunications company in San Francisco Superior Court in connection with a contractual dispute. The case settled on favorable terms immediately before trial.
Zeroclick, LLC v. Microsoft Corporation and Dell Technologies Inc. (W.D. Tex.) – Represented Microsoft and Dell in patent litigation involving touchscreen technologies. The case settled on favorable terms.
Baxter International, Inc. v. Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. (N.D. Ill.) – Represented Baxter in a patent infringement suit involving technologies used in peritoneal dialysis therapy. The case settled on favorable terms.
CareFusion 303, Inc. v. Sigma International (S.D. Cal.) – Represented Sigma International in a two-week patent infringement jury trial involving a patent related to occlusion sensor assemblies for large volume infusion pumps, obtaining a defense verdict of non-infringement. The case was named a “Top Defense Verdict of 2012” by the Daily Journal.
T-Mobile USA, Inc. (N.D. Cal., ITC) – Represented T-Mobile USA in matters related to smartphone technology. In connection with an action in the Northern District of California, filed an amicus brief regarding public interest factors surrounding possible entry of a preliminary injunction. In connection with an action in the ITC, filed a public interest statement containing recommendations that were adopted and implemented by the Commission.
Appellate counsel for Block, Inc. in a Federal Circuit case holding that all asserted claims, directed to the processing of financial transactions, were ineligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

*Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (Officer and Secretary (2024–Present); Board of Directors, Director at Large (2022–2023); Co-Chair, Professional Development Committee (2018–2021))
Federal Circuit Bar Association (Vice Chair, Patent Litigation Committee (2018–2021); Co-Chair, Bench & Bar Committee (2019–2021); Board of Directors (2021–Present))
Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court (2016–2019)
Global Fellow, Federal Circuit Bar Association (2017–2018)

Credentials

Admissions & Certifications

U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court, E.D. of California
U.S. District Court, N.D. of California
U.S. District Court, C.D. of California
U.S. District Court, S.D. of California
U.S. District Court, E.D. of Texas
U.S. District Court, W.D. of Texas
California

Education

University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall), J.D., 2006
Stanford University, B.S., 2003