Appellate Practice Commercial Litigation Litigation - Intellectual Property Patent Law Trademark Law
Laura W. Smalley
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Laura Smalley is committed to assisting clients in Pittsford, New York, with their technological development and safeguarding intellectual property rights. Her practice areas include Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Trademark Law. She has considerable experience in handling complex cases related to patent infringement, particularly in the fields of medical devices, electronic components, and imaging technology. Laura also aids in prosecuting patents within the chemical and biotechnology sectors, supported by her extensive technical knowledge in chemistry, including organic and analytical chemistry.
Before her tenure at Harris Beach Murtha, Laura served as a valuable asset to the in-house Patent Prosecution Department at Motorola, where she honed her skills and broadened her practical understanding of patent law.
Overview
- Cornell University, J.D., graduated 1997
- University of Florida, BA, graduated 1994
- New York, New York State Bar
- AIPLA (American Intellectual Property Law Association) - member of the Biotechnology Committee and contributor to the Biotech Buzz. Previously served on the committee revising AIPLA’s Model Patent Jury Instructions and on the patentability subcommittee of the Patent Law Committee
- RIPLA (Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association) - President of RIPLA, an organization composed mainly of attorneys actively engaged in the practice of patent, trademark, or copyright law in the Rochester area.
- Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc. - President and Board Member
- New York, New York State Bar
- AIPLA (American Intellectual Property Law Association) - member of the Biotechnology Committee and contributor to the Biotech Buzz. Previously served on the committee revising AIPLA’s Model Patent Jury Instructions and on the patentability subcommittee of the Patent Law Committee
- RIPLA (Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association) - President of RIPLA, an organization composed mainly of attorneys actively engaged in the practice of patent, trademark, or copyright law in the Rochester area.
- Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc. - President and Board Member
- Cornell University, J.D., graduated 1997
- University of Florida, BA, graduated 1994
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Appellate Practice
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation - Intellectual Property
- Patent Law
- Trademark Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
- Litigation - Patent
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Awards:
- Volunteer Legal Services Project, McKnight Award
- The Daily Record, Up & Coming Attorneys
- Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Litigation
News & Media
Additional Information
- REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Greatbatch Ltd. v. AVX Corp. et al. (U.S. District Court, D. Del. 2016): Trial counsel in patent infringement action over key components for pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. Jury verdict awarded $37.5 million in lost profits and price erosion damages.
- Arbitration proceeding (AAA 2014): Trial counsel in confidential arbitration over breach of settlement agreement and patent infringement.
- NuClimate v. Airtex (U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit 2012): Successfully defended judgment of non-infringement on appeal.
- Izzo Golf, Inc. v. King Par Golf, Inc. (U.S. District Court, WDNY 2010): Plaintiff's counsel in a patent infringement action resulting in a jury verdict of over $ 3 million and finding of willful infringement.
- Eastman Kodak v. Apple, Inc. (U.S. District Court, WDNY; 2010): Co-counsel for Kodak in claims for infringement by Apple products of Kodak digital still camera and software architecture patents.
- Ironforge v. Paychex, Inc. (US District Court, WDNY 2009): Counsel for Paychex in class action claims for alleged breach of contract and fiduciary duty; successfully resisted class discovery and obtain favorable resolution of case.
- Jackson v. Guardsmark (Supreme Court Monroe County, 2011): Obtained no-cause verdict in alleged toxic exposure case after two and a half week trial.
- In the Matter of JPMorgan Chase (Monroe Co. Surrogate's Court 2013): Two week trial representing JPMorgan in contested trust accounting matter regarding claim of negligent retention of securities. Judgment unanimously reversed on appeal in client’s favor.
- In the Matter of JPMorgan Chase (Westchester Co. Surrogate's Court 2009): Two and a half week trial representing JPMorgan in contested trust accounting matter regarding claim of negligent retention of securities.
- In the Matter of JPMorgan Chase (Monroe County Surrogate’s Court; 2008): Obtained $300,000 award of fees for trust fiduciary resulting from successful defense of surcharge proceeding.
- Meegan v. Masiello (New York State Court of Appeals; 2006): Part of team defending challenge to wage freeze instituted by the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority brought by police union; wage freeze held valid on appeal.
- Redcom Laboratories, Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc. (U. S. District Court, WDNY; 2006): Drafted Markman brief and tutorial in patent infringement case involving telephone switching equipment; multimillion dollar settlement obtained after Markman ruling.
- Honeywell vs. Eastman Kodak (U.S. District Court; 2005): Defense of Kodak in patent infringement dispute involving liquid crystal displays for digital still cameras.
- Amesbury Products v. Caldwell Manufacturing: Defense counsel in a patent infringement suit involving patents for window hardware balances.
- Trafalgar Power v. Stetson-Harza (U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit): Part of team of Harris Beach attorneys who obtained and defended on appeal a plaintiff’s jury verdict of $11.1 million in an engineering malpractice action.
- Neutrik AG v. Switchcraft (U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit): Appeal of a grant of summary judgment on non-infringement.
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