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Ann is a seasoned litigator and counselor with a background in complex civil matters. 

She oversees and protects the intellectual property rights of clients in the United States and abroad. 

Her practice encompasses patent, trademark and copyright infringement and portfolio management, licensing disputes, trade secret protection and unfair competition. She tries cases in both federal and state courts and represents clients in alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation. 

Many of Ann’s clients share common problems arising out of the role of science and technology in their businesses. She advises them on how to protect their business assets before and after disputes arise. Her work has involved diverse technologies, including hydraulic fracturing plugs, factory automation software and hardware, ground fault circuit interrupters, loan and deposit pricing software, Internet-based information management systems, and sugar-based polyurethane foams. In the pharmaceutical industry, Ann represents both patent owners and accused infringers in Hatch-Waxman and other litigation. Her clients vary from large corporations and start-up businesses to universities and research institutes.
 
An active leader in Eversheds Sutherland (US)’s pro bono program, Ann obtained clemency for a client on death row, representing him for more than 11 years before he was granted clemency just hours before his scheduled execution. She serves on the board of the Southern Center for Human Rights, the foremost non-profit working for equality, dignity, and justice for people impacted by the criminal legal system in the Deep South. Ann also serves on the board of the Federal Circuit Bar Association, which aids the administration of the US federal court of appeals that hears all patent litigation appeals.

  • Provides IP advice to multiple cannabis-related enterprises, including trademark applications and patent advice relating to seed-to-sale tracking, cannabis plant genetics and chemical formulations.
  • Assists a cannabis producer in protecting IP covering genetics for tissue culture propagation in licensing and other business ventures, including a joint venture with a cannabis consultancy.
  • Assisted a client negotiating and preparing agreements to license and transfer ownership of IP covering educational programs for women entrepreneurs.
  • Represented patent holder against infringement for patents involving automated tablet dispensing tech.
  • Represented automated bag packaging company in patent infringement case.
  • Protect your company and your brand – What COVID-19 means to hackers, scammers and fraudsters… April 2, 2020
  • It’s a Jungle Out There: Protecting Your Brand in Global Ecommerce, April 30, 2019, ACC Georgia Value Challenge
  • Webcast: After Laches: Equitable Estoppel Redux? May 11, 2017, IPO IP Chat Channel

 

  • Recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of intellectual property (2018-2023)
  • Selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers® (2022)
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of patent: patent prosecution (2017-2018, 2020-2021)
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the area of litigation – intellectual property (2013-2024)
  • Intellectual Property Community Service Award (2010)
  • Named among the “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend magazine (2006, 2007)
  • Recipient of Sutherland’s first annual Charles T. Lester Pro Bono Award (2009)
  • Board of Directors, Federal Circuit Bar Association
  • Board of Directors, Southern Center for Human Rights
  • Litigation Committee, Intellectual Property Section, State Bar of Georgia 
  • Master of the Bench, Atlanta Intellectual Property Inn of Court
  • Georgia
  • B.A., Georgetown University
  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
Ann Fort

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