Eric M. Acker

Eric M. Acker: Leading Intellectual Property Trial Lawyer in San Diego

Eric M. Acker is a highly respected partner and trial lawyer within the Intellectual Property Group at Morrison & Foerster. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Acker has established himself as a formidable advocate, having successfully tried more than 50 trials – including a remarkable 47 jury trials – across the nation. His expertise spans a broad range of technologies and complex legal issues, consistently delivering exceptional results for his clients.

Mr. Acker’s reputation for aggressive and strategic litigation gained significant recognition with the landmark SCO v. Novell case. Following a rigorous three-week trial, the jury emphatically affirmed Novell’s rightful ownership of the copyrights to the UNIX software code, rejecting SCO’s substantial claims for damages – a potential $100 to $200 million. This victory, secured by Mr. Acker, earned him the prestigious 2012 California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award (CLAY Award) – a testament to his courtroom prowess and dedication to his client’s success.

Beyond the SCO v. Novell case, Mr. Acker’s success continues to define his practice. He has consistently handled patent cases in diverse jurisdictions including New York, New Jersey, Utah, California, Texas, Massachusetts, and Nevada, demonstrating his adaptability and broad legal understanding. His commitment to achieving favorable outcomes has been further validated through numerous accolades, including recognition as the Best Lawyers in America San Diego Litigation Patent Lawyer of the Year in 2014 and San Diego Litigation - Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year in 2018. He is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (2009-2018), Legal 500 US (2013), and was named a “California Local Litigation Star” in the 2015-2018 issues of Benchmark Litigation, solidifying his position as a trusted legal counsel.

Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster in 1999, Mr. Acker honed his legal skills as a federal prosecutor for ten years with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Columbia and the Southern District of California. He served as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference for the Southern District of California and is a Master in the Louis Welsh Inn of Court, San Diego Chapter, reflecting his dedication to the legal profession and its ethical standards.

Mr. Acker’s academic foundation is equally impressive. He graduated *cum laude* from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Michigan Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. He received his B.S. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Patent
• Copyright Law
• Patent Law
• Trademark Law

Awards:

• Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Intellectual Property, San Diego (2018)
• Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Patent, San Diego (2014)
• Recognized: Commercial Litigation
• Recognized: Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Recognized: Litigation - Patent
• Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2009

Affiliations:

• Louis Welsh Inn of Court, San Diego Chapter
• Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Representative (Southern District of California)

Education:

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., *cum laude*
• University of California at Berkeley, B.S.

Bar Admissions:

San Diego, California; United States District Courts for the Central, District of Columbia, Southern District of California, and District of Utah.