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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Federal Circuit Bar Association
- Giles S. Rich American Inn of Court
- 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