Andrew Alexander

Having spent several years as a laboratory analyst at a major pharmaceutical company before attending law school, Andy successfully combines his technical and legal experience to counsel clients through complicated IP issues. Although Andy has specific expertise in the pharmaceutical, life science, and chemical sectors, he has advised clients across a wide range of industries and helped them navigate complex IP disputes involving patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, including in federal district court and on appeal.

As a registered patent attorney, Andy also assists clients in procuring patents, including assessing patentability, drafting and prosecuting patent applications, and representing patent owners in administrative proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Andy was selected for inclusion to "Ohio Rising Stars" list for Intellectual Property by Ohio Super Lawyers (2022-2023).

Andy began his tenure at Calfee in 2015 and was elected Partner in 2023. Prior to joining Calfee, he was an Associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP.

Andy earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, his M.A. in Philosophy from Western Michigan University, and his B.S. in Biology and Philosophy from Ashland University.

Honors & Recognitions

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Litigation - Intellectual Property, and Litigation - Patent (2024-2025)
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars, Intellectual Property (2022-2023)

Education

J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan Law School, 2013

M.A., in Philosophy, Western Michigan University, 2006

B.S., Biology and Philosophy, Ashland University, 2004

Experience

Andy's recent experience includes the following:

• Handling all aspects of three major IP projects for an American multinational medical devices and healthcare company, including (1) a current and emerging competitor monitoring project, which involves counseling the client regarding the activity of numerous competitors and potential competitors in the medical device space; (2) a competitor leverage project involving assisting the client with significant projects related to the assessment of key competitors, including analyzing key competitor products, identifying potentially relevant patents/patent families, evaluating potential infringement, and counseling the client regarding IP issues; and (3) a competitor IP analysis/monitoring project, which includes conducting monthly analyses of patent portfolios of several key competitors.
• Serving as global Intellectual Property Lead Counsel for an Asia-based manufacturer, representing the client in district court litigation matters and prosecuting patent applications. The patent work for this client includes patent infringement matters filed in district courts in two states and the Federal Circuit as well as in six inter partes reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. These actions are being heard in a variety of forums in four countries.
• Served on the trial team for two global pharmaceutical companies as plaintiffs in a patent infringement case involving a billion-dollar Alzheimer’s drug, which resulted in a settlement days before trial. Drafted key briefs throughout pretrial litigation, assisted in depositions, and assisted in trial preparation.
• Successfully overturned Patent Trial and Appeal Board inter partes review decision at the Federal Circuit in MTD Products Inc. v. Iancu, 933 F.3d 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2019). Assisted in drafting all briefs and sat second chair at oral argument.
• Representing a major radio manufacturer in defending and pursuing patent infringement claims against a primary competitor. Assisted in defending and taking depositions, including defending survey expert deposition, coordinating e-discovery, and drafting dispositive briefs.
• Representing an acclaimed tattoo artist in a copyright infringement case against a major videogame developer.
• Represented an international packaging company in inter partes review proceedings, successfully defending patentability for six of the client’s patents. Assisted in drafting preliminary responses.
• Represented an international packaging company in defending and pursuing patent infringement claims before the case was resolved on favorable terms.
• Represented a global outdoor power equipment company in pursuing patent infringement claims against a direct competitor before the case was resolved on favorable terms.
• Represented major construction materials companies in federal trademark infringement litigation, which resulted in a favorable settlement. Assisted in preparing answers, written discovery requests and responses, and coordinated the e-discovery process.

Professional & Community

• Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Community Commitment Honor Society Member (pro bono volunteer, 2024)