Proskauer’s perspective on developments and trends in commercial litigation.

Michelle M. Ovanesian

Michelle Ovanesian is an associate in the Litigation Department, where she focuses on intellectual property and life sciences. Michelle has worked on a range of matters in federal district courts, including serving on the trial team in the Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi remand.

In addition to intellectual property and life sciences, Michelle's practice has encompassed a variety of other legal matters, including pro bono veterans services, commercial disputes and bankruptcy.

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When Nondisclosure Agreements and Pharmaceutical Trade Secrets Intersect

In the United States, the scale of trade secret theft is estimated to be between $180 billion and $450 billion annually. Among the targets of this theft are pharmaceutical companies, which are some of the most research-intensive institutions in the world. Pharmaceutical research generally requires extensive work and often generates proprietary data that is pivotal … Continue Reading

Bioplastics: Snickers® Candy Bars Have It Wrapped Up

By Michelle M. Ovanesian on April 21, 2021 Posted in Environmental

A team of researchers from Yale University, the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin-Madison just published a study on a durable, biodegradable plastic alternative made 100% of wood. This study is just one example of the advent of a new generation of biobased plastics or bioplastics, a term broadly referring to products made … Continue Reading

COVID-19 “Not a Golden Ticket” to Avoid Discovery Obligations

By Laura Stafford and Michelle M. Ovanesian on February 1, 2021 Posted in Commercial Litigation

The COVID-19 pandemic has unquestionably had a massive effect on nearly all aspects of American life. However, now that COVID-19 is and continues to be a known risk, parties should carefully consider when and to what extent it can be invoked to obtain an extension or continuance with respect to discovery obligations.… Continue Reading

COVID-19 and Immunity from Liability

By Laura Stafford and Michelle M. Ovanesian on January 27, 2021 Posted in Insurance Recovery & Counseling, Litigation

Millions of people across the country are waiting to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For businesses, immunity is sought not against the virus but against liability, and, in some cases, businesses have been successful in invoking COVID-19 as a means to do so. Recently, the Southern District of New York held that the pandemic immunized a … Continue Reading

Are Antitrust Claims Against Licensors of Standard Essential Patents Dead On Arrival?

By Michelle M. Ovanesian on October 20, 2020 Posted in Antitrust, Commercial Litigation

If the September 2020 Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. opinion is any indicator, the answer seems to be “yes,” at least where an alleged violation of fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory (“FRAND”) terms and conditions is concerned. Following on the heels of F.T.C. v. Qualcomm Inc., the Northern District of Texas dismissed a complaint in which Continental … Continue Reading