Dr. Michelle Rhyu

Partner

I work with our clients to understand their business objectives and litigation needs. I use my scientific training to understand deeply the technology and arguments, then break down complex technology and facts to craft the client’s story, one that resonates with judges and jurors.

rhyums@cooley.com

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Michelle Rhyu is a life sciences litigator. She has represented life sciences companies at Cooley for over 25 years, litigating high-impact patent, contract, and trade secrets disputes. She advises biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical devices clients as they navigate complex patent landscapes and competitor incursions. She has litigated and advised companies in BPCIA-related matters involving seven different biologic products. She has achieved significant wins in trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract cases.

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Experience

Global cross-license achieved for Gevo in long-running biofuels patent case
Cooley and ACLU File Discrimination Suit Against City of Escondido
Complete win for Gilead Sciences in dispute involving breakthrough SOVALDI treatment
Pretrial Win for Gevo in Patent Suit

Practices & Industries

Passions

Family

History

Discovery

In a bet-the-company litigation, the Cooley team came through. The team's combination of deep trial experience and scientific expertise was critical to the success of the case. – Brett Pletcher, General Counsel, Gilead Sciences

Education

Stanford Law School
JD, with distinction
University of California, San Francisco
PhD, Biochemistry and Biophysics
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow
University of California, Berkeley
BA, Molecular Biology
with honors