Armond Wilson adds two veteran IP litigators as Newport Beach practice expands

Armond Wilson LLP has added veteran intellectual property litigators Alan G. Laquer and Brenton R. Babcock as partners, strengthening its patent, trademark and copyright litigation practice as the boutique expands its Newport Beach operations.

The additions bring decades of trial, appellate and patent office experience to a firm that is targeting growth amid increasing demand for its intellectual property litigation services.

Co-managing partner Michelle Armond said the firm recently opened a 12,000-square-foot Newport Beach office that is approximately half occupied, with plans to expand to 20 to 25 attorneys.

Co-managing partner Douglas Wilson said the arrival of Laquer and Babcock reflects the firm's expanding trial practice.

"As the patent and IP landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years, our firm has been a leader in effectively addressing and navigating those changes for our clients," Wilson said. "We've seen a sustained growth in our IP trial and we're looking forward to Alan and Brent contributing to our expansion in this area."

Laquer joins the firm following a 2025 patent and trade secret trial in which he represented Sigray Inc. against claims brought by Carl Zeiss X-Ray Microscopy Inc.

Laquer

After six days of trial, jurors rejected allegations that Sigray misappropriated trade secrets and willfully infringed a patent. They awarded approximately $785,000 in damages, roughly 6% of the amount sought by the plaintiffs. The Daily Journal recognized the case among its Top Verdicts of 2025. Carl Zeiss X-Ray Microscopy Inc. v. Sigray Inc., 5:21-cv-01129 (N.D. Cal., 2025).

Laquer said the defense faced significant challenges after the court determined infringement before trial and prevented the defense from presenting invalidity arguments to the jury.

"We had to defend against the trade secret claims, which threatened a shutdown of the business, while the jury heard from the judge that we'd violated the patents and needed to pick a number for that," he said.

Laquer said his closing argument focused on the people behind Sigray and the work that went into developing its technology.

"The jury came back with very modest damages of $785,000," he said. "After five years of litigation that's a small figure. You could tell from the looks on people's faces in the courtroom when the number was announced who felt good and who did not."

The move reunites Laquer with Armond, a former colleague at Knobbe Martens, where he spent 18 years litigating intellectual property disputes.

"Michelle and I are former law partners and we've always worked collaboratively," Laquer said. "Together we're going to keep winning cases and putting our clients first."

Armond praised Laquer's combination of trial experience and technical expertise.

"It's rare to see Alan's level of courtroom talent, technical savvy, and team mindset in one package," she said.

Babcock brings 34 years of experience spanning intellectual property litigation, appeals and proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

He previously was a partner and practice group leader at Knobbe Martens, Womble Bond, Loeb & Loeb and Stirlington.

His practice encompasses patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition and false advertising disputes, as well as post-grant proceedings, Federal Circuit appeals and complex inventorship matters.

Babcock has handled cases involving medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, wireless communications, electronics, automotive technology and manufacturing. The firm describes him as one of the most active practitioners before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

He said the constantly changing legal and technological landscape is what makes intellectual property litigation appealing.

"Patent law is constantly evolving, both legally and technologically, since every new case involves a new technology," Babcock said. "We're all generalists in a sense, even with technical training."

Each case requires attorneys to master unfamiliar technology and explain it clearly to judges and juries, he said.

"The Federal Circuit is very active in providing new guidance on the legal framework we work within," Babcock said. "The USPTO and the PTAB are very active in changing how PTAB proceedings work and what the requirements are. So, there's never a dull moment."

Babcock said Armond Wilson's national trial practice and emphasis on intellectual property litigation attracted him to the firm.

"Armond Wilson has built a nationwide reputation as an IP trial firm with smart attorneys that win cases," he said. "At Armond Wilson, I'll continue to help clients navigate and adapt to the new changes in IP law to meet their business goals."

Wilson said Babcock's experience and understanding of clients' commercial objectives will strengthen the practice.

"Brent's legal expertise is only eclipsed by his focus on the business needs of his clients," Wilson said. "There is no substitute for experience, and Brent has a long and very impressive track record in IP litigation."

The additions come as Armond Wilson establishes itself in its new Newport Beach headquarters, where Armond said the firm has substantial room to expand.

"We just opened a 12,000-square-foot space in Newport, and we're about halfway full," she said. "We're aiming for a staff of 20 to 25 lawyers."