Most recently, in January 2024, Mr. Luehrs was a member of a trial team that represented a patent holder, Ravgen, Inc., against Natera Inc. in a Federal Court patent infringement jury trial concerning non-invasive prenatal testing. The jury found the asserted patent valid and infringed. The jury’s verdict against Natera followed a prior finding of willful infringement by LabCorp on the same patent. Mr. Luehrs’ responsibilities at the Ravgen trials included taking testimony from the patent holder’s founder and CEO and cross-examining one of the LabCorp’s fact-witnesses with knowledge about LabCorp’s willful infringement.
Prior to joining Desmarais LLP, as a fifth-year associate, Mr. Luehrs served as the first-chair trial attorney for the designer of the Laser sailboat, Bruce Kirby, in a Federal Court jury trial concerning willful trademark infringement and misappropriation of Mr. Kirby’s name and likeness. The jury found the defendants’ infringement willful and awarded Mr. Kirby millions in damages, including punitive damages. Following the trial, Mr. Luehrs successfully briefed and argued a post-trial motion and secured a further award of over $730,000 in attorneys’ fees for Mr. Kirby.
Prior Experience
- Associate, Whitmyer IP Group LLC (2017 - 2021)
Courts
- United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Clerk & Government Experience
- Judicial Law Clerk for the Hon. Susan R. Miles, Minnesota Tenth Judicial District Court, 2016-2017