Rick L. Rambo
Rick L. Rambo represents US, Asian, and European clients involved in intellectual property disputes, complex commercial litigations, and complex tort matters. On behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, he litigates in US federal and state courts, the International Trade Commission, and before international arbitration panels. Companies from a range of sectors turn to Rick with their patent, complex commercial, indemnity, contract, trade secret, trademark, copyright, and ediscovery disputes. Rick’s clients span the technology, energy, ecommerce, software, hardware, financial services, banking, telecommunications, and retail industries.
Rick has experience with technologies that include computer and server architecture, network, software, communications, wireless technology, Internet protocols and standards, and energy-related technologies.
Along with his IP and complex commercial work, Rick has also represented clients with matters involving maritime law and the energy and offshore drilling industry, as well as contracts, personal injury, commercial torts, product liability, Jones Act, Defense Base Act, and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims.
Earlier in his career, Rick was president of a software business he created to develop and market real-time 3-D graphics–oriented navigational systems for ships. He also taught several software programming language courses and worked as a software engineer.
Patent Litigation Cases
- Represented a diversified, global financial services institution in a multidefendant patent infringement action involving secure online banking technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented one of the world’s leading personal computer manufacturers in a patent infringement suit involving personal computer architecture. This case settled favorably.
- Represented an American-based designer and manufacturer of semiconductors in a patent infringement suit involving wireless chip technology. This case resulted in a complete dismissal.
- Represented a Japanese multinational provider of information technology services and products in a patent infringement suit involving cellular telephone technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented several multinational retail corporations in a patent infringement suit involving electronic ordering and printing systems. This case settled favorably.
- Represented a Canadian telecommunications and wireless equipment company in a patent infringement suit involving cellular telephone technology.
- Represented a consumer technology and products company in a patent infringement suit involving wearable products technology.
- Represented a diversified financial services institution in a patent infringement action involving technology related to check writing point-of-sale processing equipment and systems. This case settled favorably.
- Represented one of the top worldwide printer manufacturers in a patent infringement suit involving printer technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented multiple leading financial services institutions in a multidefendant patent infringement action involving secure online banking technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in optics and imaging products in a patent infringement action involving digital camera technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented a Chinese multinational corporation specializing in consumer electronics in a patent infringement suit involving smartphone technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented one of the world’s leading personal computer manufacturers in multiple patent infringement suits involving personal computer and graphics technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented a diversified financial services institution in a patent infringement action involving technology related to the secure transfer of information online. This case settled favorably.
- Represented one of the world’s leading personal computer manufacturers in a patent infringement suit involving personal computer and wireless technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented one of the world’s leading personal computer manufacturers in a patent infringement suit involving personal computer and modem technology. This case settled favorably.
- Represented the world’s leading supplier of DVD playback software in a patent infringement suit regarding the supply of DVD software to personal computer and laptop manufacturers. The case settled favorably for the client.
- Represented one of the top three worldwide personal computer manufacturers in a patent infringement suit involving numerous patents related to the architecture of personal computers. The case settled favorably for the client.
Commercial Litigation Cases
- Represented as co-lead counsel a major oil and gas exploration company in two patent infringement lawsuits relating to the company’s seismic acquisition technologies. The case settled when the company sold its seismic acquisition business.
- Represented a global leader in high-technology products in a breach of warranty and 18 U.S.C. § 1030 class action suit involving allegations of faulty floppy disk controllers in their laptops. The case was settled during mediation.
- Represented a major law firm in a suit arising from allegations of unauthorized access and disclosure of information contained on websites. The case resulted in a dismissal.
- Represented a Canadian energy company and its newly formed subsidiary in a commercial suit regarding allegations of employee raiding and theft of trade secrets. The case was settled favorably for the client.
- Represented a diversified, global banking and financial services institution in an indemnity dispute with a software vendor. The case was settled following mediation.
- Represented a global energy corporation in a wrongful death case involving an over the road truck accident. The case was settled favorably for the client.
- Represented a Mexican manufacturing company in a commercial dispute involving allegations of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breach of warranty. The case settled favorably for the client.
- Represented a multinational information technology company in a commercial dispute involving allegations of breach of contract and copyright claims against a vendor. The case settled favorably for the client.
- Represented a Swedish pyrotechnic and flare company in a case alleging personal injury in the form of RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) Syndrome resulting from chemicals in a defective flare. The case was settled favorably for the client during jury trial.
- Represented a ship and its owners in a case alleging millions in damages to cargo under the COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act). The case settled for $1,000.
- Represented a major insurance company in the energy industry in a case that determined whether or not a $9 million insurance policy provided coverage for an explosion on an offshore drilling platform. The court found that the client did not owe coverage.
- Tulane University, 1994, M.B.A., Summa Cum Laude
- Tulane University Law School, 1994, J.D., Magna Cum Laude
- University of New Orleans, 1988, B.S.
- Texas
- District of Columbia
- Colorado
- Washington
- Oregon
- US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Western District of Texas
- US Patent and Trademark Office
Ranked, Intellectual Property, Texas, Chambers USA (2021–2025)
Recognized, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals (2018–2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Houston (2024–2026)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2019, 2024)
Member, Litigation Department of the Year–Intellectual Property, The American Lawyer (2019)
Recognized, Texas Super Lawyers (2009–2013)
Recognized, “Rising Star,” Texas Super Lawyers (2006–2007)
Recipient, Texas Tech Law School Best Article Award (2000)
First Place for Publication for Houston Young Lawyers Association’s “Pocket Parts” Newsletter (1996–1997)
Selected for inclusion in the BTI Client Service All-Star Team 2010 following client nomination
AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Member, Patent Committee, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Secretary, Texas General Counsel Forum (2006–2008)
Member, International Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Computer & Technology Section, Intellectual Property Law Section, and Litigation Section, State Bar of Texas
Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Editorial Board, Houston Lawyer Magazine (1997–1999)
Member, Houston Young Lawyers Association
- Board of Directors (1996–1998)
- Chair, Membership Committee (1996–1998)
- Editor-in-Chief, Pocket Parts Newsletter (1996–1997)
- Chair, Internet Committee (1997)
Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
Member, Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association
