Virginia L. Carron

Partner

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Virginia L. Carron

Partner

+1 404 653 6452 +1 404 653 6452
virginia.carron@finnegan.com virginia.carron@finnegan.com

271 17th Street, NW
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30363-6209

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Virginia Carron, a partner in Finnegan's Atlanta office, practices patent and trademark litigation and counseling. Her broad client base includes a large food and beverage company; a company involved in refining, chemicals and biofuels, forest and consumer products, fertilizers, polymers and fibers, pollution control and glass; an international manufacturer of hand-made cigars; and numerous international clients in various fields. Virginia has been recognized as one of World Intellectual Property Review's (WIPR) Top 100 Most Influential Women in IP, an IP Star Top 250 Women in IP and a patent and trademark IP Star in Georgia by Managing Intellectual Property, as well as a leader in Georgia in private practice by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) 1000 and as an IAM Global Leader. Benchmark Litigation named Virginia a litigation star and she has been ranked regionally for her contributions to IP by World Trademark Review. She was also named a client service all-star by BTI Consulting Group.

Virginia's litigation experience includes numerous U.S. district court trials, trials before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Virginia counsels clients on intellectual property licensing and related transactional matters in both trademarks and patents for several Fortune 500 companies, including serving as the primary outside counsel to Imerys and its worldwide subsidiaries for all intellectual property matters. Her practice also includes inter partes review (IPR) procedures before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Virginia has served as first chair in several litigations representing the Fuente Cigar companies in cases involving trademark, trade dress, unfair competition, and false advertising issues, as well as serving first chair for several different plaintiffs in counterfeiting and trademark infringement litigation which resulted in the recovery and destruction of millions of dollars worth of counterfeit goods, and in two cases, (C.D. Cal. and D.N.H.) ultimately resulted in the incarceration of counterfeiters of computer memory products.

On a pro bono basis, Virginia has represented numerous disabled military veterans challenging disability compensation decisions in appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. She was recognized by the Federal Circuit Bar Association and its Charitable and Education Fund for pro bono service contributions, particularly for work on behalf of veterans. Virginia previously served on the firm's management committee and as managing partner of the firm's Atlanta office.

Experience

Served as first chair, successfully represented TIMCAL, in a patent litigation involving a method for producing expanded graphite.

1:03-cv-04904, N.D. Ill., Judge Gottschall
1:04-mc-00038, N.D. Ohio, Judge Polster

Represented Georgia-Pacific as lead counsel in district court litigation concerning patents covering cellulose technology.

2:13-cv-00781, W.D. Wash., Judge Martinez

Represented Nestlé USA as co-lead counsel in three appeals from inter partes review (IPR) decisions by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). In two cases, the Federal Circuit vacated the PTAB decisions upholding the patentability of the challenged claims and remanded the cases. In the third case, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s finding that the challenged claims were unpatentable.

16-1750, Fed. Cir., Judges Hughes, Mayer, Reyna
17-1193, Fed. Cir., Judges Dyk, Hughes, Reyna
17-1290, Fed. Cir., Judges Dyk, Hughes, Reyna

Successfully represented Nestlé as lead counsel in defense of district court litigation alleging patent infringement of five patents related to aseptic packaging. Nestlé won at trial and the case settled favorably while on appeal.

1:13-cv-00892, W.D.N.Y., Judges McCarthy, Skretny, Wolford

Represented Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) in litigation in the Middle District of Florida against Auth Token, related to Auth Token’s patents involving smart banking card technology. The case resulted in a favorable dismissal for FIS.

3-22-cv-00268, M.D. Fla., Judges Howard, Richardson

Served as court-appointed mediator, reaching a successful resolution.

2:09-cv-00138, S.D. Ga., Judges Graham, Wood

Insights

Conference

Global Patent Litigation FORUM Global Patent Litigation FORUM

September 21, 2023

Munich

Seminar

Global Patent Litigation: Discovery and Measures for Preserving Evidence Global Patent Litigation: Discovery and Measures for Preserving Evidence

May 11, 2022

Munich

Seminar

The Intersection of Marketing Law and Intellectual Property The Intersection of Marketing Law and Intellectual Property

September 14, 2021

Virtual

Articles

2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Design Patents 2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Design Patents

July 2021

Natural Products Consulting

Articles

2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Trade Secrets 2021 Natural Products Field Manual - Trade Secrets

July 2021

Natural Products Consulting

Webinar

IP Issues in the Food and Beverage Industry IP Issues in the Food and Beverage Industry

March 18, 2021

Webinar

Professional Recognition

“Virginia is a truly outstanding outside counsel; she understands business as well as an in-house lawyer and can explain complicated matters in a very simple and easy way.”

“’Virginia Carron has a unique combination of technical and IP litigation expertise, so she is able to think on her feet as unique situations arise. She also has great communication skills and can readily translate complicated technical and legal jargon into layman’s terms for the client.’”

“Virginia is an exceptional IP attorney; she is client-focused and creative with her strategies for obtaining successful resolutions.”

“She is proactive; she is able to identify and handle potential problems before they become larger issues.”

“There are good lawyers and then there are great lawyers – Virginia Carron fits into the latter category.”

“A peer notes of Carron: ‘She has a strong patent and litigation-focused practice.’ Another peer notes: ‘She is very active locally and well-known with a good reputation.’”

"[Carron] is an essential contact for the address book for those seeking staunch representation in high-stakes litigation."

“Carron has won patent and trademark suits in many different forums for prestigious clients.”

“Virginia Carron is also a seasoned lead counsel, though her practice incorporates both patent and trademark cases.”

“Making a splash in big-ticket suits is the ‘extremely talented’ Virginia Carron; the ‘very accomplished lawyer’ is a ‘terrifically prominent name…’”

“At the head of the charge [is] Virginia Carron. With a ‘strong focus on litigation and great client contact,’ she is ‘considered a leader in the patents space.’ She has built up a powerful contentious practice…”

“The Atlanta branch plays host to a formidable cadre of advocates, including litigation ace Virginia Carron, who is ‘recommended without hesitation for her refined performances informed by valuable experience.’”

“The ‘phenomenal team’ includes…Atlanta’s Virginia Carron, who has ‘exceptional legal and practical business sense.’”

“Stars singled out for mention by peers in Georgia include … Virginia Carron [who] concentrates her practice on patent and trademark matters.”

“Carron’s robust practice emphasizes patent and trademark matters…several of the nation’s most important companies turn to her for their IP litigation needs.”

“Litigator and counsellor Virginia Carron is a ‘dynamo in the practice and a super impressive lawyer all round’”.

“Virginia is an expert; she takes the time to understand the integration of the law into the overall business.”

“Virginia provides business friendly, practical advice; she is a valued partner to any team.”

“She provides concise, understandable advice based on her understanding of both the law and business aspects involved in each issue.”

“Virginia is a very trusted and valued member of our outside legal team.”

“Virginia has a high level of experience and skill in all aspects of IP.”

“Managing partner of the Atlanta office Virginia Carron has been showing off her inter partes review skills...she is a thought leader who puts in polished performances time and time again.”

“Similarly at home in all environments – and comfortable with patent and trademark cases – is Virginia Carron.”