Yuri Mikulka

• Led the defense of a matter that was selected as one of the Top Defense Verdicts of 2019 by the Daily Journal. The case involved trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition claims related to Bluetooth and cloud-based telehealth hearing-aid technology filed against one of the largest hearing-aid manufacturers in the world. Yuri’s team prevailed in a motion for summary judgment that confirmed the perils of seeking trade secret protection while simultaneously seeking patent and copyright protection and the importance of carefully crafting the terms of an NDA.
• Obtained a temporary restraining order on behalf of clients in a federal action that prevented competitors from misappropriating trade secrets, falsely advertising, unfairly competing and diverting customers and employees, and destroying evidence.
• Secured a jury verdict of willful patent infringement and copyright infringement against a client’s competitor selling an infringing sea scooter.
• Argued before the Federal Circuit, which resulted in a seminal decision providing guidance on claim construction of design patents and affirming an order striking a patent expert from rendering opinions.
• Represented a Fortune 500 company before the International Trade Commission in a Section 337 investigation related to patent infringement by a competitor.
• Obtained a favorable claim construction and a subsequent noninfringement judgment in a case asserting against a client infringement of a patent directed to a personal flotation device.
• Obtained full dismissal of a company being sued by a competitor for allegedly infringing a wearable technology patent.
• Obtained full dismissal of a patent infringement action relating to mobile app technology on behalf of a publicly traded retailer.
• Obtained full dismissal of a company sued for allegedly infringing a transportation technology patent.
• Achieved relisting of products taken down on Amazon based on alleged patent infringement.
• Prevailed in a Ninth Circuit appeal on behalf of an international meat company on an order issued in the Central District of California related to proper service of summons.
• Obtained full dismissal, without payment, of an automotive parts company in a products liability action.
• Defended multiple automobile manufacturers in patent infringement cases involving tire pressure monitoring systems and accelerometers used in airbag restraint systems.
• Representing multinational companies to customize and implement patent and trademark enforcement programs to combat infringement, counterfeiting, and gray market goods, and to recover damages from infringers.
• Obtained a significant monetary settlement on behalf of a client against a Fortune 100 company accused of infringement within weeks of filing the suit and a temporary restraining order.
• Represented a global manufacturer in a patent infringement suit against a competitor related to patented technology in automotive parts, resulting in a favorable settlement.
• Represented a leading sports apparel and equipment company in a trademark infringement case.
• Prevailed in two separate motions to dismiss a securities class action filed against a client based in the People’s Republic of China that was accused of making material misrepresentations in its securities filings.
• Obtained full dismissal, sanctions, attorneys’ fees, and a monetary settlement from a plaintiff who sued a Fortune 500 company client for unfair business practices and fraud.

Yuri Mikulka is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group. With nearly 25 years of litigation experience, Yuri has defended court actions, arbitrations, and pre-suit disputes nationwide, eliminating claims of over $3 billion in damages, and with her team, obtained verdicts and settlements of nearly $400 million for her clients. Yuri focuses on patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and complex business litigation. Yuri is recognized as one of the top intellectual property attorneys in California by the Daily Journal and one of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She defended a federal trade secret misappropriation action that was selected as one of the “Top Verdicts” of the year by the Daily Journal.

A client notes that “Yuri’s strength is not only in litigation skills but also her patience and interest in truly understanding and crafting a litigation strategy in line with the client’s needs and goals.”

Yuri’s clients are located worldwide and in diverse industries such as automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, cosmetics, video and digital technology, media and entertainment, fashion and luxury goods, health technology, medical devices, mobile devices, semiconductors, and sporting goods.

Yuri serves in leadership positions with the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association (LA chapter), and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education

• Pepperdine University (J.D.)
• University of California, Irvine (B.A.)

Memberships