Susan Tull, a seasoned patent trial lawyer, represents clients across a range of technologies in all phases and forums of litigation.

Trial ready and technically knowledgeable, Ms. Tull delivers pragmatic advice to plaintiffs and defendants in complex patent disputes. Her experience covers a multitude of industries, including the mechanical, industrial, electrical, and medical device fields.

Ms. Tull tries cases in venues across the country, including the US district courts, the US International Trade Commission, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Patent Trial Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office. She also brings experience representing clients in jury trials through verdict and post-trial motions. Ms. Tull participates in and manages every aspect of patent litigation, including examining and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses, developing litigation strategies, taking complex discovery, working with technical and damages experts, and drafting and arguing motions.

Ms. Tull also frequently advises on pro bono matters. Her work has included serving as lead appellate counsel in a post-conviction appeal before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Ms. Tull is currently an adjunct professor of Patent Litigation and Dispute Resolution at George Mason University School of Law. She previously served as an adjunct professor of scholarly writing at George Washington University School of Law.

Ms. Tull’s experience includes representing:

  • Decco U.S. Post-Harvest, Inc. in an action involving patent infringement, trade secrets, and torts claims relating to pre-harvest technology used with produce*
  • Zipher and Videojet Technologies in a successful Federal Circuit appeal*
  • Koninklijke Philips Electronics in a patent suit before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which denied institution of inter partes review of eight Philips patents on automated external defibrillators (AEDs); on appeal, the Federal Circuit dismissed all eight of the plaintiff’s appeals, and Supreme Court denied cert*Patent owner Zimmer Surgical in litigation involving surgical waste management and a counterclaim; settled favorably before trial*
  • Syneron-Candela and MGH in patent infringement litigation concerning RF micro-needling technology*
  • Koninklijke Philips in defending against nine requests for ex parte reexamination filed by Zoll Medical and Zoll Lifecor at the US Patent and Trademark Office on five patents involving defibrillator waveform technology; patentability of challenged claims confirmed or pending*
  • Patent owner Philips in litigation involving wearable defibrillators; case settled favorably after defendant’s motions for summary judgement of no infringement and invalidity were denied*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham

Bar Qualification

  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • US Patent and Trademark Office

Education

  • JD, Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2008
    magna cum laude
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering & Art History, Duke University, 2003
Tull, Susan Y.
July 15, 2022 Recognition

Women Worth Watching in STEM: Susan Tull

Washington, D.C. counsel talks about increasing diversity in STEM, closing the gender gap barriers in STEM, and moving women forward in STEM.