C. Erik Hawes

Partner

C. Erik Hawes is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Litigation and Intellectual Property Practices. Mr. Hawes focuses his practice primarily in the area of commercial litigation, with an emphasis on intellectual property matters. He has handled all aspects of patent litigation matters in jurisdictions across the country, from California to New York and from Texas to Minnesota. He has handled numerous patent cases between direct competitors, as well as large, multidefendant suits brought by nonpracticing patent owners. He has also worked extensively in complex commercial contract matters relating to patent litigation, including the negotiation, interpretation, and application of agreements concerning licensing and indemnity. Mr. Hawes has a strong background in patent disputes in a wide variety of industries, including computer technology (both hardware and software), medical devices, consumer products, and electrical connectors. He also has tried cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, as well as franchise disputes.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Mr. Hawes was a partner at a full-service international law firm.

Mr. Hawes has been listed as a "Rising Star" in Intellectual Property Litigation by Texas Monthly magazine (2006, 2007, and 2009) and is listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association's Litigation Section and Intellectual Property Law Section, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Federal Circuit Bar Association, the Houston Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Houston Bar Association.

Mr. Hawes is also a frequent author and speaker on patent litigation issues. Recent speeches have covered topics such as licensing, business method patents, venue and forum selection, and patent-related damages issues.

Mr. Hawes received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and an editor for the Minnesota Journal of Global Trade. Prior to attending law school, he worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where he helped to design and test structural components for the Space Shuttle program. Mr. Hawes received his B.S. from the University of Minnesota in 1992.

Mr. Hawes is admitted to practice in Texas, Nevada, and Minnesota and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal, Sixth, and Eighth Circuits; the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas; the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota; and the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.