Rodger D. Smith II

The Best Lawyers in America has released its 2025 edition listing 39 attorneys from Morris Nichols. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 160,000 eligible attorneys.

Morris Nichols again secured a Band 1 ranking Chambers USA in four fundamental Delaware practice areas: Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

Recognized in the highest “gold” tier for Delaware IP law firms, Morris Nichols’ Intellectual Property Litigation group is described as “by far the leader… The best Delaware firm.”

The 12 Morris Nichols attorneys listed in 2024 edition practice in bankruptcy, corporate litigation, intellectual property litigation, and other categories.

The Best Lawyers in America has released its 2024 edition, listing 39 attorneys from Morris Nichols. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 76,000 eligible attorneys.

The 2023 edition of IAM Patent 1000 recognizes Morris Nichols as a “gold” tier Delaware IP law firm.

Chambers USA has again ranked Morris Nichols in Band 1 for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

2023 Delaware Super Lawyers selects 11 Morris Nichols attorneys for inclusion.

A look back at patent filings, trials, decisions on key issues, and notable developments in the US District Court for the District of Delaware in 2022.

The Best Lawyers in America has released its 2023 edition, listing 35 attorneys from Morris Nichols. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 71,000 eligible attorneys.

“Always right in the thick of patent litigation action in Delaware,” the 2022 edition of IAM Patent 1000 again recognizes Morris Nichols as a “gold” tier Delaware IP law firm.

Chambers USA has again ranked Morris Nichols in Band 1 for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

2022 Delaware Super Lawyers slected thirteen Morris Nichols attorneys for inclusion.

The Best Lawyers in America has released its 2022 edition, listing thirty-two attorneys from Morris Nichols. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 66,000 eligible attorneys.

On July 21, 2021, Morris Nichols clients F’real Foods, LLC and Rich Products Corporation obtained an affirmance from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, upholding a jury verdict and pre- and post-trial rulings on patent infringement and damages against Hamilton Beach Brands and Hershey Creamery.

“A force to be reckoned with in Delaware patent litigation,” the 2021 edition of IAM Patent 1000 again ranks Morris Nichols’ intellectual property group in its highest “gold” tier for Delaware IP law firms.

One dozen Morris Nichols attorneys have been selected for inclusion in 2021 Delaware Super Lawyers. 

The 2021 edition of Chambers USA has again ranked Morris Nichols in the top tier in four Delaware practice categories.

Thirty-one Morris Nichols attorneys were recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 67,000 eligible attorneys.

IAM sources espouse, “Morris Nichols continues to represent the gold standard when it comes to patent litigation in Delaware.”

Wilmington, DE (August 15, 2019) - Thirty-five Morris Nichols attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 94,000 eligible attorneys.

Wilmington, DE (June 17, 2019) - The eighth edition of IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Professionals again ranks the Morris Nichols intellectual property litigation group in the highest tier for Delaware patent litigation.

Fifteen Morris Nichols attorneys have been selected for inclusion in 2019 Delaware Super Lawyers.  Derek C. Abbott and William M. Lafferty appear on the “Top 10” list recognizing the Delaware lawyers who received the highest point totals - with Bill designated as the “Number One” attorney on the Top 10. In addition, attorneys Eric S. Klinger-Wilensky and D. McKinley (Mac) Measley were recognized as Delaware Rising Stars.

Wilmington, DE (April 25, 2019) - The 2019 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Guide to Leading Lawyers for Business has again ranked Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP as a leading Delaware law firm in four practice categories.

Wilmington, DE (August 15, 2018) - Thirty-three attorneys from Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP were selected for inclusion in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.  The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 87,000 eligible attorneys.

Wilmington, DE (June 15, 2018) - Intellectual Asset Management (“IAM”) has released the 2018 IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Professionals. The seventh edition reports “Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell is seen by many as the best of the best in Delaware” and ranks the firm in the highest, gold band for Delaware.

Wilmington, DE (May 3, 2018) - Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP has been ranked Band 1 in four Delaware practice categories in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The firm was ranked in the highest tier for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

Wilmington, DE (August 15, 2017) - Thirty-two attorneys from Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP were selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.  The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 83,000 eligible attorneys.

Wilmington, DE (July 14, 2017) - Intellectual Asset Management (“IAM”) has released the sixth edition of IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Professionals. The 2017 guide pronounces Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP a “tier-one practice” brimming with “high-quality professionals who possess a wealth of knowledge and have illustrious records in court” and ranks the firm in its highest Gold band on the Delaware rankings table.

Wilmington, DE (May 26, 2017) - The 2017 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business again ranked Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP as a Band 1 law firm in the Delaware categories for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

Morris Nichols partner Rodger Smith spoke with Law360 as part of an in-depth look at Delaware and its standing as a top venue for patent litigation cases. In the article entitled, “In This Patent Hotspot, Bow Ties Mean Business,” he discussed the Delaware bar’s well-known reputation for collegiality.

Wilmington, DE (August 15, 2016) - Thirty attorneys from Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP were selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.  The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 79,000 eligible attorneys.

Wilmington, DE (May 31, 2016) - Intellectual Asset Management (“IAM”) has released the fifth edition of IAM Patent 1000 - The World’s Leading Patent Professionals. The 2016 guide pronounces Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP a “patent litigation powerhouse” and ranks the firm in its highest, Gold band on the Delaware rankings table.

Wilmington, DE (May 27, 2016) - The 2016 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business again ranked Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP as a Band 1 law firm in the Delaware categories for Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Chancery, Corporate M&A & Alternative Entities, and Intellectual Property.

Wilmington, DE (May 20, 2016) - Acquisition International magazine (“AI”) has announced the winners of the 2016 Intellectual Property Awards. Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP received both of the publication’s Delaware awards, with AI recognizing the firm as “Best IP Litigation Firm” and naming Morris Nichols partner Rodger D. Smith II “Best Patent Litigator.”

The way plaintiffs plead direct patent infringement may be about to change.