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Reza Roghani Esfahani is an IP litigation professional with a background in mechanical and chemical technologies.

Reza’s practice concentrates on intellectual property litigation, with a focus on patent litigation involving a wide range of technologies including mechanical, chemical, and pharmaceuticals. Reza also has experience in the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as intellectual property due diligence.

Reza earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. While pursuing his engineering degrees, Reza worked on projects directed at breast cancer therapy, live cell delivery, and the development of small molecule inhibitors of a human protein implicated in thrombosis. Additionally, Reza helped fabricate and functionalize microfluidic devices for isolating circulating tumor cells. Reza also has experience working on petroleum projects. In particular, his projects were directed toward the investigation of the aggregation kinetics of crude oil components.

Reza holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. For two years, Reza taught a senior-level Chemical Engineering course at the University of Michigan as a graduate student instructor. During his time at the University of Michigan, Reza was an active member of student organizations such as the Honor Society of Chemical Engineers and the Intellectual Property Student Association.

Representative District Court/ITC Matters

FMReps Consulting Enterprises, LLC v. Ford Motor Company (U.S. District Court): Served as litigation counsel for Ford Motor Company in a patent infringement lawsuit alleging that Ford’s software supporting its certified pre-owned vehicle program infringed two patents directed to a computerized certification process. Under Brooks Kushman’s direction, Ford moved to dismiss at the pleading stage, arguing the asserted patents were invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 101. The court agreed, holding the patents were directed to an unpatentable abstract business idea and relied on routine computer functions such as dashboards, real-time data displays, role-based access, and tabbed interfaces to automate a longstanding process. The court dismissed all claims before discovery, expert reports, or trial, delivering an early and complete victory for Ford.

Lear Corporation v. NHK Seating of America Inc. (Settlement – E.D. Michigan): Only days into a federal jury trial, Lear Corp., represented by Brooks Kushman, and NHK Seating, informed a Michigan federal judge that the companies had reached a settlement in the patent infringement case involving headrest patents. Lear sued NHK Seating in 2013 saying the company infringed multiple patents for technology they used in their vehicle headrests. The case has been settled in its entirety.

Versata Software v. Ford Motor Company (E.D. Michigan and E.D. Texas): Brooks Kushman served as lead counsel for Ford in lawsuits involving over 30 alleged trade secrets, 16 patents, 5 copyrights and 3 breach of contract claims relating to complex enterprise software for product configuration. Versata originally sought over $1.4 Billion in damages from Ford.  After more than 8 years of litigation in federal courts in Michigan and Texas, more than 20 IPRs/CBMRs, over 60 depositions, over 1000 docket entries including multiple rounds of claim construction, summary judgment and Daubert challenges, and a three-week jury trial, our team held Versata to just $3 in nominal damages. Case No. 2:15-cv-10628.

Education

J.D., University of Michigan

M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan

B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan

Organizations & Affiliations

LCLD, 2022 Pathfinder, 2022-2023 Law School Mentor, 2023-2026 Detroit City Co-Lead

Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA), Treasurer

Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan Chapter

Michigan IP Inn of Court

Recognitions

“Ones to Watch,” Best Lawyers, 2026-2027

“Rising Star,” Super Lawyers, 2024-2026

“Legal Lions of the Week”, Law 360, 2023

Languages

Farsi (Persian)

18 results
“The best part of my practice is seeing my clients succeed in their business endeavors. I enjoy working to protect and defend my clients' most valuable business assets.”

Practice Areas

Industries