Tonya M. Gray
Partner
Tonya's practice encompasses complex civil and commercial litigation matters at both the trial and appellate levels and in both federal and state court. She has significant experience in intellectual property litigation defending patent infringement suits (particularly in the Eastern District of Texas) and trade secret misappropriation claims. Tonya's intellectual property experience includes cases about battery technology, video games, electronic gift cards, internet advertising, check imaging and online banking. Her practice also includes contract disputes, fiduciary claims, and general business and tort litigation.
Representative Experience
- Represent multiple national banks in three separate patent litigation cases involving check imaging and online banking
- Represented Japanese telecommunications company in litigation involving patent rights to lithium battery technology
- Represented national media company in patent infringement case involving software for managing radio inventory and revenue
- Represent national restaurant company in patent infringement case involving electronic gift cards; formerly represented national property group in case involving the same technology
- Representation of a national manufacturer and distributor in the interactive entertainment industry in patent infringement suit regarding dance video games
- Representation of a banking and financial services company in certificate-holder litigation involving its role as trustee for commercial mortgage backed securities trusts; successfully obtained judgment dismissing plaintiff’s claims
- Successfully defended a publicly traded Internet advertising provider in a suit involving business torts and breach of contract claims
Publications
- "Contract Clauses Offer Protection in Infringement Suits," (pdf) Texas Lawyer (January 11, 2010)
- "Separate But Not Sovereign: Reconciling Federal Commandeering of State Courts" Vanderbilt Law Review (1999)
Events
- Frequent presenter on evidentiary issues at University of Houston CLE courses.
- Speaker: Ins and Outs of Patent Litigation in the Eastern District of Texas (TAPS 2007)
Professional Recognition
-
Texas Rising Star, Texas Monthly (2008)
