J.D., University of Michigan School of Law
B.A., English (with Honors), University of Michigan

Edward H. Rice

Ed trained as a trial lawyer, focusing on complex commercial litigation and, in particular, intellectual property disputes. For more than 30 years, Ed has applied rigorous analysis, creativity, and a “Plain English” approach to his advocacy.

Ed began his career at a large national law firm, after which he clerked for a federal judge in Chicago. He later honed his trial skills at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where he defended the federal government in patent disputes and other intellectual property claims asserted by defense contractors and others.

After returning to law firm practice, Ed led successful trial teams in all of the major courts in which patent cases are tried: the federal district courts, the International Trade Commission (which addresses infringement disputes over products that are imported into the U.S.) and the Court of Federal Claims (which addresses the government's unauthorized use of patented technology). He has successfully argued many cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, including an en banc rehearing. His cases have encompassed a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, integrated circuits, pharmaceuticals, internet methods and consumer electronics, to name just a few.

More recently, Ed has represented clients involved in online infringement disputes, such as those addressed in Amazon’s patent dispute resolution procedure, known as the Amazon Utility Patent Neutral Evaluation Program. Ed also has acted as a neutral evaluator in that program.

As much as Ed enjoys going to trial, he takes even greater pride in decisive, early victories that avoid trial altogether. He strives not only to win, but to do so as swiftly and efficiently as possible. He has won many seemingly complex cases with a threshold, “rifle-shot” motion.

Ed's experience also extends beyond patent litigation. He has represented clients in trademark infringement cases, trade secret litigation and copyright disputes. In addition, Ed has counseled clients who have faced intellectual property issues arising in a wide range of legal and business matters, such as bankruptcy proceedings, insurance litigation, merger and acquisition negotiations, licensing activities and employment disputes.