Christy Von der Ahe Rayburn litigates high-profile, high-stakes technology disputes for companies of all sizes, including Amazon.com, Monster Energy, BlackBerry, ClearOne, and Acorn Technologies. Described by clients as “a fierce advocate” and “intensely brilliant at understanding the detail and complexity of the subject matter while retaining a clear view of the big issues and its impact on strategy,” she has a depth of experience in patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation at every stage.
Ms. Rayburn is deeply invested in her clients’ cases, paying close attention to strategic decisions at every step. According to a former colleague and retired judge, Ms. Rayburn “has a unique drive for excellence that she consistently achieves.” As a member of the patent bar and as a Stanford-trained mechanical engineer, Ms. Rayburn is quick to understand the technology at issue in her clients’ matters. More importantly, she is able to translate that technical understanding into clear and effective oral and written communications to stakeholders, judges, and juries. As co-counsel once noted, “Christy simplified the issues such that eight people in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas readily grasped why infringement was apparent.” Clients and judges alike have praised her ability to marshal the relevant facts and explain a case to them clearly and concisely.
In June 2017, Ms. Rayburn argued before the California Supreme Court, challenging California’s 2016 death penalty initiative measure (Proposition 66). Her work on that matter and others earned her the American Inns of Court 2017 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Professional Service, presented at the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Rayburn is a founding member of the Howard T. Markey Intellectual Property Inn of Court in Orange County, and has served that organization as its secretary, membership chair, programs chair, and member of the board. Ms. Rayburn serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project.
Before joining Hueston Hennigan, Ms. Rayburn was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where she represented clients such as Oracle, Foxconn, and Facebook.