Matthew Chivvis is a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, where he represents high-tech, Internet, and life sciences companies in a variety of matters. Though his practice focuses on intellectual property litigation in federal and state courts, he also regularly advises clients on plant intellectual property matters, including strategic use of plant patents, plant-variety protection certificates, and trademark rights. Mr. Chivvis has also represented clients in drug-pricing cases and pro bono clients in civil rights cases.
Mr. Chivvis has litigated patent matters in many of the top patent venues throughout the U.S., including the Northern and Central Districts of California, the Eastern District of Texas, the District of Delaware, the Federal Circuit, and the International Trade Commission. In his federal court practice, Mr. Chivvis has argued motions, examined expert witnesses (both at trial and at deposition), and given closing arguments. He has litigated a number of state court matters as well and is familiar with California’s complex case litigation procedures. Moreover, Mr. Chivvis has considerable experience practicing before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, especially in patent reexamination and inter partes review proceedings. He has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers each year from 2014 through 2017.
In his life sciences practice, clients often rely on Mr. Chivvis for his deep technical expertise and his ability to grasp complex and cutting-edge issues quickly. His life sciences work has included litigation, pre-litigation, and inter partes review proceedings involving monoclonal antibodies, protein conjugates, vaccines, biosorbable implants, drug-eluting stents, blood glucose monitoring devices, and plant genetics. Mr. Chivvis also has a background in computer science and has assisted clients in cases involving Internet firewall, network security, virtualization, smart phone, interactive television, website, and display technologies.
Mr. Chivvis earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award for his graduating class. Before law school, Mr. Chivvis received a degree in molecular biology from the University of Wyoming. While there, he performed research funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy in the fields of computer science, bioinformatics, and cell metabolism.
Before joining Morrison & Foerster, Mr. Chivvis clerked for former Chief Judge James Ware of the Northern District of California.
Mr. Chivvis is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
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