Yuri Mikulka

• First-chaired and secured a jury verdict of willful patent infringement and copyright infringement against a client’s competitor selling an infringing water scooter and infringing its patents and copyright. Hydrodynamic Indus. Co. v. Green Max Distribs., Inc., No. 2:12-cv-05058 (C.D. Cal.).
• Led and prevailed in the defense of a trade secret misappropriation action and a parallel patent infringement action on behalf of a global hearing aid manufacturer regarding Bluetooth and cloud-based telehealth hearing-aid fitting technology. Secured a motion for summary judgment that addressed the perils of seeking trade secret protection while simultaneously seeking patent and copyright protection and effective NDA language. Manchester v. Sivantos GMBH, No.: 2:17-CV-05309 (C.D. Cal.).
• Secured a consent judgment, permanent injunction and a settlement for a medical technology company MicroVention, Inc., now called Terumo Neuro, in a trade secret misappropriation and a patent infringement case asserted against a competitor and former employees related to patents and trade secrets related to catheter and coil systems used to treat aneurysms.  MicroVention, Inc. v. Balt, Inc. et al., No. 8:20-cv-02400-JLS-KES; No. 19-cv-01335 (C.D. Cal.).
• Defended Corning Inc. in a series of patent infringement cases involving optical communications solutions for 5G networks and data centers involving distributed antenna systems (DAS). Prevailed on a motion to dismiss and a motion for summary judgment on noninfringement on all three patents in Dali Wireless, Inc. v. Corning Optical Communications LLC, No. 3:20-cv-06469 (N.D.Cal.). The case was highlighted in the November 29, 2022 Docket Navigator report and in the Daily Journal as one of the “Top Defense Verdicts” in California. See also Dali Networks, Inc. et al. v. Corning Incorporated et al., No. 6:20-cv-01108 (WDTX); Dali Wireless, Inc. v. Corning Optical Communications LLC, Case 3:22-cv-623 (WDNC).
• Represented US Conec, an affiliate of Corning Inc., in a multi-patent infringement case against a competitor in Delaware and a Section 337 investigation before the ITC involving patents directed to very small form factor (VSFF) fiber-optic connectors, adapter and connection systems used in large data centers. Senko Advanced Components, Inc. v. US Conec, Ltd., 1:23-cv-00083-JPM (D. Del.).
• Led the defense of Meta in a patent infringement case related to the use of cookies in online advertising. Prevailed on a motion to dismiss in favor of Meta. Adnexus, Inc. v. Meta Platforms, Inc., No. 6:23-cv-00152 (W.D. Tex.).
• Led the defense of Instagram (Meta) in a patent infringement action related to its mobile app technology. Savannah Licensing, LLC v. Instagram, LLC, No. 1:22-cv-00139-CFC (D. Del.).
• Led the defense of a patent infringement action directed to a personal flotation device. Obtained a favorable claim construction order and a motion to exclude a design patent expert, leading to a judgement of noninfringement. Sport Dimension, Inc. v. Coleman Co., No. CV 14-00438 (C.D. Cal.).
• Obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on behalf of a health care company against former officers and competitors for misappropriating trade secrets, falsely advertising, unfairly competing and diverting customers and employees. Led the litigation and related internal investigation. Audiology Distribution LLC et al v. Peter Stephens, et al., No. 8:20-cv-00499 (M.D. Fla.).
• Represented Owens Corning in intellectual property matters including related to their PINK trademarks.
• Defended Hublot and LVMH in a trademark lawsuit over use of the term “red gold” against SOLID 21, in a highly publicized case after a Ninth Circuit appeal. SOLID 21, Inc. v. Hublot of America, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Inc., No.2:11-cv-00468 (C.D. Cal.).

Yuri Mikulka co-leads the firm's Consumer Technology Patent Litigation Team and serves on the AI Steering Committee. With over 25 years of experience, she serves as lead counsel for innovative companies, from Fortune 100 firms to emerging AI startups. Yuri represents clients in litigation involving patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks. She also collaborates closely with clients and teams within the firm to seamlessly meet her clients’ litigation, regulatory, and other legal needs.

Yuri's expertise is widely recognized. The Daily Journal named her one of California’s top IP lawyers, highlighting her defense of a global company in a multibillion-dollar patent and trade secret case as one of their “Top Defense Verdicts.” The LA Business Journal honored her as one of the 500 most influential leaders in LA for six years. The Los Angeles Times hailed her as a “legal visionary.” IAM Strategy 300 recognizes Yuri as “The World's Leading IP Strategists.”

Yuri is a prominent figure in the industry. She has served as the president of the Federal Bar Association, LA Chapter, and as the 9th Circuit representative of ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which evaluates federal judicial nominees. She is the advisor for ABA’s AI For Litigators Initiative, a board member of ChIPs, LA Chapter, and co-founder of Carry As You Climb, a leadership group for executives and in-house counsel.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education

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

Memberships