Michelle is the Managing Partner of Erise, where she focuses her practice on patent litigation.

Clients benefit from Michelle’s ability to distill highly complex and technical positions into easily understood arguments, as well as her strategic focus on litigation strategy that keeps matters moving efficiently, effectively and aggressively.

Among her recent successes:

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Garmin International in a patent dispute with Philips regarding wearable fitness trackers.
• Achieved a complete defense verdict in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of Sony Interactive Entertainment. The plaintiffs sought more than $100 million in damages from alleged infringement of patents related to video games and consoles.
• Earned a complete defense verdict — also in the Eastern District of Texas — for NetScout Systems, which was accused of infringement by a patent holding company.
• Successfully defended baby carrier manufacturers in an International Trade Commission investigation over patent infringement allegations.

Michelle recognizes that legal issues are business issues, first and foremost, and in her matters she applies both a background in commercial litigation and a respect for the bottom line. In one recent matter, she secured more than $850,000 in legal fees after successful defense of patent infringement claims.

Outside the office, Michelle serves as a board member and officer for an inclusive early education center for children with special needs and typical needs, oversaw a $3 million capital campaign to expand the center to serve more children, and supports her local school district and student activity organizations.