Richard de Bodo is a skilled and creative trial lawyer who represents leading technology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences companies, as well as other prominent businesses, individuals, and emerging companies, in complex, high stakes, and cutting-edge intellectual property and commercial disputes.
Clients and peers consistently praise Rich’s strategic insight and courtroom effectiveness. According to Chambers USA, “Clients are impressed by Rich’s brilliant mind and unmatched strategic skills.” In the words of one general counsel, “Rich is the person you need when you’re faced with highly complicated IP legal matters that involve many variables.” According to another general counsel: “When the stakes are high, Rich is the only person I’d go to. He gets the job done in a measured and calm manner.” 


Rich is known for his relentless advocacy, meticulous preparation, sharp attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. He has a unique talent for translating complex legal and technical issues into clear, persuasive arguments for judges and juries, and for leading and collaborating effectively with high-performing legal teams.


Rich has secured significant victories and multimillion-dollar awards in federal and state courts across the United States, as well as before appellate courts, the International Trade Commission, the U.S. Patent Office, arbitration panels, and other U.S. and foreign tribunals. Rich has litigated cutting-edge matters under the Hatch-Waxman Act and the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, along with high-stakes patent, trade secret, inventorship, and licensing disputes involving software, cybersecurity, semiconductors, stem cells, DNA microarrays, peptide therapies, and other advanced technologies. 


Besides his intellectual property practice, Rich has extensive experience handling complex business and commercial disputes nationwide, including securities fraud and malpractice cases. Rich has also represented Native American and Alaska Native tribes, villages, organizations, and individuals in matters involving sovereignty, treaty and aboriginal rights, land, and resource issues, civil and voting rights, and public health. In several of these matters, he represented or worked alongside the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), which recognized and honored Rich for his pro bono work.
Prior to joining Barton, Rich was a partner at several AmLaw 100 firms. He served as Co-Chair of Hogan Lovells’ U.S. IP Practice, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Patent Litigation Practice and its Life Sciences Practice, and Chair of Morgan Lewis’s Life Sciences IP Practice.

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D.
  • Harvard College, B.A.

Admissions

  • State of California
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota

Practices

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Business Transactions
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Intellectual Property
  • Intellectual Property Litigation


Industry Experience

  • Healthcare – Life Sciences
  • Technology

Professional Affiliations

  • State Bar of California 
  • District of Columbia Bar 
  • Federal Bar Association 
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association 
  • American Bar Association, Co-Chair Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
  • American Bar Association, Co-Chair of Intellectual Property Section Annual Conference
  • National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Instructor on Trial Advocacy and Trial Strategy 
  • Hastings College of Advocacy, Instructor on Trial Advocacy and Trial Strategy

Honors

  • Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star 2015 – 2018, 2023 – 2025 (Intellectual Property)
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – 2024 
  • Chambers and Partners USA, Intellectual Property 2009-2018, Life Sciences 2009-2018 
  • Daily Journal, Outstanding Intellectual Property Lawyer, 2010 – 2018 
  • Litigation Counsel of America Fellow 2016-2025
  • LMG Life Sciences, Life Sciences Star: Intellectual Property, 2012- 2018 
  • Managing Intellectual Property, IP Patent Star, 2012 – 2018 
  • Native American Rights Fund, Recognized and honored for pro bono work
  • Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2005 – 2024
  • The Legal 500 US, Outstanding Lawyer in Healthcare – Life Sciences, 2015 – 2018 
  • Who’s Who Legal / Lexology Index, Outstanding Life Sciences and Healthcare Attorney, 2015- 2018, 2023-2025