William H. Burgess
Overview
Bill Burgess’ practice focuses on appellate litigation across a broad range of subject matter, including patent litigation, commercial litigation, and regulatory matters. He has argued appeals in most of the United States courts of appeals, including several in the Federal Circuit. He has been to trial several times, joining trial teams to brief dispositive motions or prepare for appeals, and has also practiced before agencies such as the Patent & Trademark Office, International Trade Commission, and EPA.
Before joining Kirkland, Bill was a law clerk to Judge Walter K. Stapleton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and Judge William C. Bryson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Experience
Representative Matters
Intellectual Property Litigation
- UCB, Inc. v. Actavis Laboratories (Fed. Cir. 2022-2023). Represented Actavis in appeal concerning branded company’s Parkinson’s Disease drug patent. Obtained ruling from court of appeals affirming district court’s judgment that all challenged claims were invalid for obviousness. The patent would otherwise have expired in December 2030.
- OneSubsea IP UK Ltd. v. FMC Technologies, Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2022-2023). Briefed and argued appeal relating to attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285. Obtained ruling from court of appeals affirming favorable district court judgment.
- Par Pharm., Inc. v. Eagle Pharms., Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2022). Represented Eagle in appeal concerning branded company’s vasopressin formulation. Obtained ruling from court of appeals affirming district court judgment of noninfringement.
- ViiV Healthcare v. Gilead (D. Del. 2018-2022). Represented ViiV in patent litigation (as co-counsel with another firm) involving a doctrine-of-equivalents infringement case against Gilead’s Biktarvy HIV drug. Successfully defeated motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment. Case settled before trial on terms that include a $1.25 billion payment, and royalties through the expiration of ViiV’s patent in 2027.
- Apple v. Qualcomm (S. Ct. 2021-2022). Represented Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Darrell Issa in filing an amicus brief regarding issues of Article III standing to appeal from decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
- Horizon Pharma v. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (Fed. Cir. 2019-2021). Represented Dr. Reddy’s in appeals relating to patents on branded company’s arthritis drug. Obtained judgment from court of appeals affirming district court’s judgment that all claims of both patents were invalid for indefiniteness. The patents would not have otherwise expired until 2029 and 2031.
- Janssen Biotech, Inc. v. Celltrion Healthcare (Fed. Cir. 2017–2020). Represented Hospira and Celltrion in appeals relating to Celltrion’s biosimilar version of Janssen’s multi-billion dollar drug Remicade, the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA. Obtained rulings in client’s favor in two Federal Circuit appeals: one challenging the district court’s ruling invalidating Janssen’s patents for obviousness-type double patenting, and another challenging the district court’s summary judgment non-infringement.
- Arkema v. Honeywell; Mexichem v. Honeywell (Fed. Cir. 2016–2020). Representing Honeywell in appeals arising from post-grant reviews, inter partes reexaminations, and inter partes reviews of next-generation automobile refrigerants. Obtained two Federal Circuit decisions vacating and remanding after Patent Trial & Appeal Board had found patents invalid; obtained two further Federal Circuit decisions affirming Patent Trial & Appeal Board’s rulings that patents were not invalid.
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Microspherix (Fed. Cir. 2020). Represented patent holder Microspherix in three consolidated appeals from Patent Trial & Appeal Board; obtained judgment in client’s favor affirming decisions upholding validity of client’s patent claims.
- WesternGeco LLC v. ION Geophysical Corp. (S.D. Tex, Fed. Cir., S. Ct. 2012–2019). Obtained judgment of patent infringement at trial; defended infringement and royalty damages award on appeal; obtained two decisions from the Supreme Court granting certiorari and reversing Federal Circuit limitations on damages.
- Samuels v. TriVascular, Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2016). Successfully briefed and argued appeal for Defendant-Appellees; obtained affirmance of judgment of noninfringement.
- In re Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2016). Represented patentee Warsaw in appeal from Patent Trial and Appeal Board; obtained vacatur and remand of rulings invalidating obviousness ruling.
- Bard Peripheral Vascular v. W.L. Gore (D. Ariz., Fed. Cir., S. Ct. 2009–2015). Represented patentee Bard in two appeals to the Federal Circuit, in district court proceedings, and in opposing certiorari. Successfully defended judgment that Bard’s patent was valid and willfully infringed and that Bard was entitled to damages and ongoing royalties of 15-20 percent of Gore’s revenues on infringing products through the expiration of Bard’s patent, amounting to more than $1.5 billion in damages awarded to client.
- ViiV Healthcare UK Ltd. v. Lupin Ltd. (D. Del. & Fed. Cir, 2013–2015). Represented ViiV at trial and on appeal in patent litigation over multi-billion-dollar HIV treatments; obtained judgment upholding the patent's validity and preventing launch of generic version of an anti-HIV medication during the patent's term; judgment affirmed on appeal.
- Siemens Medical Solutions USA v. Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics (D. Del., Fed. Cir., S. Ct. 2008–2012). Represented patentee in trial court and on appeal. Obtained judgment of indirect infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, and eight-figure damages award including lost profits; obtained additional damages on cross-appeal; successfully opposed rehearing and certiorari petitions.
General Litigation
- Utility Air Regulatory Group et al. v. EPA (EPA, D.C. Cir., Supreme Court, 2009–2014). Represented petitioner United States Chamber of Commerce at agency, court of appeals, and Supreme Court, in challenges to EPA rules regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
- United States v. Griffith (D.C. Cir. 2016–2017). Successfully briefed and argued appeal challenging criminal conviction; obtained judgment vacating conviction and reversing district court’s ruling denying motion to suppress evidence.
- In re Ross (3d Cir. 2016–2017). Briefed and argued appeal, as court-appointed amicus curiae, concerning the dismissal of an individual debtor’s chapter 13 bankruptcy; obtained judgment vacating the bankruptcy court’s injunction against the debtor.
- Independent Pilots Association v. FAA (D.C. Cir. 2015–2016). Represented intervenor Cargo Airline Association in successful defense of FAA rulemaking against petition challenging the agency’s use of cost-benefit analysis; obtained judgment denying petitions for review.
- Monroe Energy v. EPA; National Chicken Council v. EPA; National Petrochemical & Refiners Association v. EPA (D.C. Cir. 2010–2014). Represented biofuel and biotechnology trade associations as intervenors in successful defenses of EPA’s Renewable Fuels Standards regulations; obtained two rulings from the court of appeals upholding regulations and a third ruling dismissing petition for lack of standing.
- In re Cathode Ray Tube Sharp Antitrust Litigation (9th Cir. 2014). Represented Defendants-Appellees in interlocutory appeal arising from antitrust litigation; successfully obtained order dismissing appeal on jurisdictional grounds.
- Sneed v. Shinseki (Fed. Cir. 2012–2014). Successfully argued and briefed appeal challenging equitable tolling legal standard relied upon by U.S. Court of Veterans Claims; obtained vacatur of judgment below and remand for reconsideration under the correct legal standard.
- Ah Quin v. County of Kauai (9th Cir. 2012–2013). Successfully argued and briefed appeal challenging district court's application of judicial estoppel to dismiss civil claims omitted from filings in personal bankruptcy; obtained reversal of district court judgment in precedent-setting opinion that has been cited in other circuits.
- Plummer v. Jackson (6th Cir. 2011–2012). Successfully argued and briefed pro bono habeas corpus appeal; obtained vacatur of district court judgment and remand for an evidentiary hearing.
- ICO Global Communications and DBSD North America v. FCC (D.C. Cir. 2010–2011). Represented satellite broadcast companies in challenges to FCC rulings.
Clerk & Government Experience
Law ClerkHonorable Walter K. StapletonUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit2006–2007
Law ClerkHonorable William C. BrysonUnited States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit2005–2006
Judicial ExternHonorable Susan Y. IllstonUnited States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaSummer 2003
More
Thought Leadership
Speaking
Moderator, “Pro Bono and Amicus Efforts (Ethics),” Federal Circuit Bar Association, Bench & Bar Conference, Colorado Springs CO, June 30, 2023
Panelist, “Amicus Briefs (Ethics),” Federal Circuit Bar Association, Bench & Bar Conference, Sea Island GA, June 18, 2022
Panelist, “NextGen Appellate Advocacy,” Federal Circuit Bar Association Webcast, October 13, 2020
Moderator, "Appellate Practice: Key Strategic Considerations," Federal Circuit Bar Association, Bench & Bar Conference, Colorado Springs CO, June 14, 2019
Presenter, "Mandamus Practice Before the Federal Circuit," Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago Litigation Committee, Chicago IL, May 9, 2019
Panelist, “Nuts and Bolts of the Federal Circuit’s Rules,” Federal Circuit Bar Association Webcast, Washington D.C., December 13, 2016
Writing
“News From the Circuits,” Administrative & Regulatory Law News, Winter 2021–Fall 2022 (Contributing Author)
"Dismissing Bankruptcy-Debtor Plaintiffs' Cases on Judicial Estoppel Grounds," 62 Federal Lawyer 54, May 2015
"How Fed. Circ. Should Address Plague of Over-Redactions," Law360.com, December 11, 2014
"The Proper Remedy for a Lack of Batson Findings: The Fallout from Snyder v. Louisiana," 101 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 1, 2011 (Co-Author with Douglas G. Smith)
"Stop the Beach Renourishment: A Win for the State, But a Step Forward for Constitutional Protection of Property Rights," ABA Constitutional Law Committee Newsletter, September 2010 (Co-Author with Douglas G. Smith)
"ABA Committee on Business & Corporate Litigation," Annual Review of Developments in Business & Corporate Litigation, 2010–2012 Editions (Contributing Author)
"Simplicity at the Cost of Clarity: Appellate Review of Claim Construction and the Failed Promise of Cybor," 153 U. Pa. L. Rev. 763, 2004 (Comment)
Recognition
The Legal 500 United States (Appellate), 2021–2023
Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Appellate Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation, Washington DC), 2014–2019
District of Columbia Courts, 2013 Pro Bono High Honor Roll
Federal Circuit Bar Association, Annual Pro Bono Excellence Award, 2010
Memberships & Affiliations
Federal Circuit Bar Association (Board, 2018–2022; Rules Committee Co-Chair, 2015–2018)
Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2007, District of Columbia
- 2006, New York
- Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Courts
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Languages
- English
- French
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law SchoolJ.D.cum laude2005
Order of the Coif
David Werner Amram Prize (best paper in civil procedure or related field)
Executive Editor, University of Pennsylvania Law Review
National Symposium Editorial Board, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
Giles Sutherland Rich Moot Court Competition (Intellectual Property)
Philip C. Jessup Memorial Moot Court Competition (Public International Law)
- Dartmouth CollegeB.E., Electrical Engineering2002
- Dartmouth CollegeB.A., Engineering Sciences & French2001