- 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.).
- 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.).
Partner,
- Phone: +1 213 576 1026
- Other Phone: +1 650 838 2026
- Email: yuri.mikulka@alston.com
With over 25 years of experience, Yuri expertly navigates complex litigation, using innovative strategies to guide clients through high-stakes intellectual property disputes nationwide. Yuri's ability to untangle intricate legal and business challenges makes Yuri a formidable force in the legal arena and a valuable partner to business leaders and in-house counsel.
- Led the defense of Ulta Beauty in a patent infringement case related to mobile application technology that allows for push notifications to users. Push Data LLC v. Ulta Beauty, Inc., No. 2:22-cv-06586 (C.D. Cal.).
- Led the defense of Ulta Beauty in a patent infringement directed to a server system and method for modifying a cursor image. Lexos Media IP, LLC v. Ulta Beauty, Inc., No. 2:22-cv-00292 (E.D. Tex.).
- Represented PayPal in a patent infringement case regarding patents relating to caching or a method of data storage for faster retrieval. Implicit, LLC v. PayPal Holdings, Inc. et al., No. 6:22-cv-00686 (W.D. Tex).
- Representing DIRECTV in a patent infringement action regarding 12 patents allegedly covering the Multimedia over Coax Alliance standard (MoCA), international standards for specifications for networking over coaxial cable.
- Represented a radiant floor heating system company in a false advertisement action against a competitor. Warmboard, Inc. v. Warm Brothers, Inc. et al., No. 5:23-cv-01378-PCP (N.D. Cal.).
- Obtained dismissals of two securities class actions filed against client a global marine enterprise. The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal order, dismissing the federal securities law claims against Pingtan and its officers related to statements regarding the status of the Company’s business and licenses. Zheng v. Pingtan Marine Enterprise Ltd. et al., No. 1:17-cv-03807-DLI-ST (E.D.N.Y.).
- Prevailed in an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the issue of what is proper service of summons.
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 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 Los Angeles 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.” She is globally recognized in Intellectual Asset Management’s “IAM Strategy 300: 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 serves on the board of ChIPs, LA Chapter, and co-founded 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
- Alston & Bird AI Steering Committee
- Federal Bar Association, Los Angeles Chapter, board member; past president
- American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, division director; former council member
- American Bar Association, Special Advisor, Commission on Women in the Profession
- Carry As You Climb, co-founder
- ChiPs, Los Angeles Chapter, board and special advisor
- American Bar Association, Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, former Ninth Circuit Representative and Committee member
- American Bar Association, Litigation Journal, former editorial board member
- American Bar Association, Committee on Corporate Counsel, former national co-chair
- University of California, Irvine Samueli School of Engineering, visiting lecturer
- University of Chicago Law School, visiting lecturer
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California
- U.S. District Court for Western District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- Pro hac vice to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, Eastern and Northern District of Texas, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and district courts in Florida, Illinois, and Massachusetts, Southern District of Florida