Powell_Laura

Laura E. Powell

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Powell_Laura

Laura E. Powell

Counsel

Washington DC + 1 202 663 6294

Laura Powell assists clients in all phases of cases from pre-litigation investigation through trial and appeals, with emphasis in appellate litigation. She has extensive experience representing clients in patent appeals involving a wide range of technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Powell was litigation associate at another international law firm. She also served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Evan J. Wallach of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Honorable Gregory M. Sleet of the US District Court for the District of Delaware. 

In addition to litigation in district courts nationwide, Ms. Powell has been involved in numerous Section 337 Investigations at the International Trade Commission. She also has experience analyzing the impacts of artificial intelligence in the fields of intellectual property, media and entertainment. Specifically, Ms. Powell has knowledge in analyzing the patentability of AI tools and determining how AI impacts inventors, performers, and authors who seek consent to use, credit for, and compensation for their work.

Ms. Powell maintains an active pro bono practice in Native American and Indigenous rights advocacy with an emphasis on environmental justice. 

Speaking Engagements

  • SAG-AFTRA Contracts in a Right to Work State: How to Produce Film Using Union Actors, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts (July 2015)
  • Georgia Tech Task Force 2012-2013: Smoking Endgame Strategies in the United States (August 2013 at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia)

Publications

  • Laura Powell, The Honorable Jean Galloway Bissell: A Biography, J. of the Fed. Cir. Historical Society (2020)
  • Laura Powell, Effectiveness of the Renewable Fuel Standard in Sparking Innovation in the Cellulosic Biofuel Industry, 30 Geo. Envtl. L. Rev 257 (2018)
  • Laura Powell, The Patentability of Digital “Manufacturers” as 3D-Printing Expands into the 4D World, 19 Vand. J. Ent. & Tech L. 177 (2016)

Professional Activities

Ms. Powell is an Indigenous Justice Environmental Justice co-chair of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance. She also serves as Social Chair of the Giles S. Rich Inn of Court and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), Georgia Tech School of Public Policy Advisory Board Member.

Experience

    • Represented a cloud-based financial management company in the Northern District of California and the Federal Circuit and achieved a favorable outcome on a Section 101 challenge.
    • Represented a global research company successfully in appeals at the Federal Circuit involving design patents.
    • Represented a life sciences company successfully in an IPR appeal at the Federal Circuit.
    • Settled a copyright case against a major publishing company on behalf of a pro bono client prior to entering into litigation.
    • Represented an electronics company pre-trial, through trial and post-trial briefing in complex suit in the US International Trade Commission. 
    • Represented a pharmaceutical company in trial and through post-trial briefing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. 
    • Argued discovery motions on behalf of clients in front of the International Trade Commission and U.S. Court of Federal Claims. 
    • Taken expert depositions in matters in front of the International Trade Commission. 

Recognition

Insights & News

View all of Laura's insights & news

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Vanderbilt University Law School, 2017

      Dean’s Award; 2017 American Law Institute CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award

      Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Editor-in-Chief

    • JM, Emory University, 2014

      Emory University-Georgia Tech Juris Master Scholarship Recipient

    • BS, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013

      magna cum laude

      High Honors; Dean’s List; GT Office of Minority Educational Development Tower Award Recipient; Georgia Tech Athletic Scholarshipp; Georgia Tech Letterwinner 

  • Admissions

    • District of Columbia

    • Georgia

    • US Supreme Court

    • US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

    • US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

    • US Court of Federal Claims

    • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

    • US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

  • Clerkships

    • The Hon. Evan J. Wallach, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2018 - 2020

    • The Hon. Gregory M. Sleet, US District Court for the District of Delaware, 2017 - 2018

Credentials

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