- Representing Nokia of America Corporation in a declaratory judgment action concerning non‑infringement and good‑faith licensing obligations relating to nine patents asserted as essential to 4G LTE‑Advanced and 5G wireless communication standards. Nokia of America Corporation v. Acer Inc., No. 1:25‑cv‑01106 (D. Del.).
- Represented a multinational telecommunications company and its suppliers in patent litigation resulting in a complete defense verdict following a jury trial, with a finding of non‑infringement and zero liability despite approximately $300 million in claimed damages. General Access Solutions, Ltd. v. T‑Mobile US, Inc., et al., No. 2:23‑cv‑00158 (E.D. Tex.).
- Representing Ericsson, Nokia, AT&T, Verizon, and T‑Mobile in patent infringement litigation asserting 4G and 5G cellular technology patents. Cobblestone Wireless, LLC v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless; Cobblestone Wireless, LLC v. AT&T Services Inc., et al.; Cobblestone Wireless, LLC v. T‑Mobile USA, Inc., Nos. 2:23‑cv‑00382, ‑00380, ‑00381 (E.D. Tex.).
- Representing intervenors Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC and Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy in a patent dispute relating to wireless communications standards and technology. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., et al. v. T‑Mobile US Inc., et al., Nos. 2:16‑cv‑00052, ‑00055, ‑00056, ‑00057 (E.D. Tex.).
- Representing intervenors Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC and Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy in a patent dispute relating to wireless communications standards and technology. Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC, et al. v. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., et al., Nos. 2:16‑cv‑00753, ‑00754, ‑00755, ‑00756 (E.D. Tex.).
- Representing complainant Ericsson in an investigation relating to cellular and video coding technology. In the Matter of Certain Electronic Computing Devices, and Components and Modules Thereof, No. 337‑TA‑1387 (ITC).
- Representing Nokia in an investigation against Apple involving cellular communication chipsets and antenna design. In the Matter of Certain Electronic Devices, Including Mobile Phones, Tablet Computers, and Components Thereof, No. 337‑TA‑1038 (ITC).
- Representing X2Y in patent infringement litigation relating to energy conditioning architecture. In the Matter of Certain Microprocessors, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same, No. 337-TA-781 (ITC).
- Representing Nokia in defense of patent infringement claims of 9 patents relating to speech coding and GSM/WCDMA technology. WIAV Solutions, LLC v. Motorola, et al., No. 3:09-cv-447 (E.D. Va.).
- Represented Nokia in patent infringement litigation against Apple over patents relating to speech coding and radio frequency chipset design. Nokia Corporation v. Apple Inc., No. 09-791-GMS (D. Del.).
- Represented Nokia in patent infringement litigation against Apple over patents relating to wireless communications and radio frequency chipset design. Nokia Corporation v. Apple Inc., No. 10-cv-249 (W.D. Wis.).
- Represented defendant Nokia in patent infringement litigation relating to wireless encryption technology. The PACID Group, LLC v. 2Wire, Inc. et al., No. 6:08-cv-498 (E.D. Tex).
- Represented defendant Nokia in patent infringement litigation relating to wireless communications and speech coding. Qualcomm Incorporated v. Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc., No. 07-cv-0187 (W.D. Wis.).
- Represented defendant Nokia in patent infringement litigation relating to wireless communications and smart phone technology. Qualcomm v. Nokia Corporation, et al., No. 2:07-cv-111 (E.D. Tex.).
Stephen G. McNiff
Counsel,
- Phone: +1 404 881 7452
- Email: steve.mcniff@alston.com
With a background in electrical engineering, Steve is a nationally recognized IP litigator who handles major patent disputes for global technology clients, known for his technical depth in wireless, software, and advanced electronics cases.
Steve McNiff’s practice includes all areas of intellectual property litigation and counseling, with a particular emphasis on patent litigation and enforcement. He has represented clients in patent infringement lawsuits in the International Trade Commission and federal district courts across the United States, including cases involving telecommunications, computer software, speech coding, radio frequency chipset design and wireless encryption.
In addition to his litigation practice, Steve is experienced in the preparation and prosecution of patents relating to software applications, wireless communication systems, computer implemented methods of doing business, and various electrical and mechanical inventions.
Steve received his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University. He received his M.S. in electrical engineering from Florida Institute of Technology and his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Florida. Before law school, he was employed as an electrical engineer in the Digital Signal Processing Group at Northrop Grumman Corp., where he worked on the design and implementation of military radar systems.
Steve was named to The Best Lawyers in America® for 2026 for intellectual property litigation and has also been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star.”
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
- Duke University (J.D., 2003)
- Florida Institute of Technology (M.S., 1998)
- University of Florida (B.S., 1995)