Simona Agnolucci specializes in complex litigation, including intellectual property matters, securities cases, and commercial disputes. She has represented major brokerage companies and investment advisors, as well as cutting-edge Internet and smartphone companies. Ms. Agnolucci has litigated cases before state and federal trial courts and has substantial experience in appellate matters across various substantive areas of the law.
Ms. Agnolucci has an active pro bono practice, in which she primarily represents women fleeing gender-based persecution. Her groundbreaking pro bono work has been recognized by national media, including the New York Times.
Ms. Agnolucci speaks Italian, French and Spanish.
Cases of Note
United States v. Walter Liew: We are defending Silicon Valley engineer Walter Liew, who was indicted for attempted economic espionage and conspiracy to sell DuPont’s manufacturing trade secrets to the company’s Chinese competitors. The case is part of the government's effort to combat what it sees as China's "persistent" industrial spying.
Edwards Lifesciences v. Corevalve Inc. et al.: In the District of Delaware, we are defending Medtronic, Inc. and its subsidiary CoreValve in several patent cases brought by rival Edwards Lifesciences concerning our clients’ transcatheter artificial heart valves.
Apple, Inc. v. HTC Corp.: We defended smartphone manufacturer HTC Corp. from Apple’s assertion of six patents relating to user interface features. HTC originally was added to an action between Apple and Motorola that had been pending in the Southern District of Florida for almost two years. We successfully moved to sever Apple’s claims against HTC and HTC’s counterclaims from the litigation between Motorola and Apple, and to transfer the case to Delaware. HTC thereafter obtained a settlement to become the first Android handset maker licensed by Apple.
Awards and Honors
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Lawyer on the Fast Track, The Recorder, 2013
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UC Hastings Rising Alumna of the Year, 2013
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Northern California Rising Star in 2010 - 2013
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Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Father Cuchulain Moriarty Award, 2011. The award honors lawyers who have made an extraordinary pro bono contribution to the Lawyers' Committee's Asylum Project.
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Hastings College of the Law
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Articles editor, Hastings Law Journal
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Thurston Honors Society
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Order of the Coif
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International Legal Fellowship
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8 Witkin Awards
Publications
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“Hope Without Borders,” Daily Journal, 2009
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“Expedited Removal: Suggestions for Reform in Light of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Report,” Hastings Law Journal, 2006
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“Deportation of Human Rights Abusers: Towards Achieving Accountability, Not Fostering Impunity,” Hastings International and Comparative Law Journal, 2007
Professional Affiliations
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Board of Governors, UC Hastings
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Chair, Queen’s Bench amicus briefs committee
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Advisory Board, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies
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Associates Advisory Board, OneJustice
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Board of Directors, Girls on the Run