Anna Phillips Anna’s patent litigation practice spans district courts, the Federal Circuit, the ITC, and the PTAB in a wide variety of industries. Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, she clerked for both the Federal Circuit and the Eastern District of Texas.

Overview

Anna G. Phillips is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group. She represents clients in complex patent matters in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission, in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and in appeals at the Federal Circuit. She has extensive patent litigation experience in a variety of technological areas, including pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, mechanical devices, robotics, food and beverage processing and manufacturing equipment, electronics, and consumer products. Anna has been involved in all stages of litigation, from pre-suit strategy and injunction practice to claim construction, trials, and appeals.

In addition to her robust intellectual property practice, Anna is active in Sterne Kessler’s pro bono practice. She has filed an amicus brief on behalf of a veterans advocacy group that helped secure grant of certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court in an important appeal concerning veterans disability benefits.

Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, Anna served as a law clerk for the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Honorable John D. Love in the Eastern District of Texas. Prior to her federal circuit clerkship, Anna was a patent litigation associate at a national general practice law firm where her practice focused on Hatch-Waxman litigation.

Anna is a member of the Giles S. Rich American Inn of Court. She is also a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association, where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bench & Bar Planning Committee and a member of the Mock Argument Committee.

Anna received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law, where her article, Copyright or Trademark? Can One Boy Wizard Prevent Film Title Duplication?, 11 San Diego Int’l L.J. 319 (2009), was published in the San Diego International Law Journal. She earned a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and B.A. in the Plan II Honors Program from The University of Texas at Austin.

Representative Matters

  • TwinStrand & the University of Washington v. Guardant Health (D. Del.) – Represented TwinStrand and the University of Washington in a patent infringement case against Guardant Health. In November 2023, the jury awarded $83.4 million in past damages, and also found that Guardant Health willfully infringed patents by selling products related to cancer screening, detection, and characterization.
  • PureCircle v. Sweegen (C.D. Cal.) – Counsel for Sweegen in a case involving patents for a natural non-caloric sweetener used in food and drinks. Court granted motion for Summary Judgment of invalidity, holding all claims of two patents invalid for inadequate written description, and further holding certain claims of each patent invalid for claiming ineligible subject matter. Affirmed by the Federal Circuit on appeal.
  • Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (D. N.J.) – Represented Teva in Hatch-Waxman litigation relating to Korlym®, which treats hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Obtained judgment of no induced infringement on all asserted claims. Appeal pending.
  • Steuben v. Shibuya and Hood (D. Del.) – Representing Shibuya Hoppmann Corp. and other defendants in a case involving aseptic bottling systems for low-acid foods. Won across the board on non-infringement across four patents for judgment as a matter of law motions following a jury trial. Pending Federal Circuit review.
  • In re Certain Non-Invasive Aesthetic Body-Contouring Devices, Components Thereof, And Methods Of Using Same, 337-TA-1219 Counsel for Complainant, BTL Industries, Inc. in an ITC investigation pertaining to magnetic body contouring machines.
  •  Allergan, Inc. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. et al., No. 2:15-cv-1455-WCB (E.D. Tex.) – Counsel in Hatch-Waxman litigation on patents concerning cyclosporine.
  • Bufkin v. McDonough, No. 23-713 (U.S. Supreme Court) – Amicus counsel in veterans disability case where the Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Education

  • J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, cum laude
  • B.S., Architectural Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
  • B.A., Plan II Honors, The University of Texas at Austin

Admissions

  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Clerkships

  • The Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • The Honorable John D. Love, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Related News & Insights From Anna G. Phillips

Press Release Sterne Kessler Publishes Federal Circuit IP Appeals: Summaries of Key 2023 Decisions Report Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox January 24, 2024
In the News Teva Defeats Infringement Claims on Endocrine Drug New Jersey Law Journal January 3, 2024
Firm Announcements Federal Circuit Affirms Sweet Win for SweeGen in Patent Invalidity Battle Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox January 3, 2024
Firm Announcements Sterne Kessler Secures Non-Infringement Win for Teva Pharmaceuticals Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox January 3, 2024
In the News VW To Settle Part Of Cellular Tech Patent Fight With Neo Law360 December 18, 2023
In the News Delaware Jury: Guardant Willfully Infringed Patents With DNA Sequencing Kits Mealey's Litigation Report: Intellectual Property, pub. 41094 November 16, 2023
Firm Announcements Sterne Kessler Scores $83.4M Federal Jury Verdict for TwinStrand Biosciences, Inc. Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox November 15, 2023
In the News Fed. Circ. Judge Casts Doubt On Sweetener Enzyme Patents Law360 November 7, 2023
Firm Announcements U.S. District Court Affirms Immigrant Children’s Constitutional Rights Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox August 29, 2023
In the News DCA Live's 2023 Emerging Women Leaders in Law DCA Live April 5, 2023
In the News Shibuya Sheds $38 Million Patent Loss With Noninfringement Order Bloomberg Law March 15, 2023
Press Release Sterne Kessler Publishes Report Examining Key 2022 Federal Circuit Rulings on PTAB and ITC Appeals Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox February 7, 2023
Press Release Sterne Kessler Elects Record-High Seven Directors in 2023 Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox January 4, 2023
In the News Nike, Adidas Sneaker Hole Case Makes Third Federal Circuit Trip Bloomberg Law August 1, 2022
Firm Announcements Sterne Kessler and D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Host Sixth Annual Small Business Clinic Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox June 9, 2022
In the News Stevia Patent Claims Fall After SweeGen Challenge Law360 May 24, 2022
In the News The Most-Read IP Law360 Guest Articles of 2021 Law360 December 23, 2021
Press Release Sterne Kessler Hosts Virtual Pro Bono Clinic for Small Businesses Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. April 16, 2020
Press Release Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Summarizes Key Decisions in 2019 Federal Circuit Appeals From The PTAB Report Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. February 3, 2020