Michael A. Jacobs has concentrated his practice on litigation of high-technology and intellectual property matters. Representing a broad array of clients, his work in several landmark cases has helped to shape the laws governing emerging technologies. He has litigated a wide range of patent, contract, and trade secret disputes in the information technology and life sciences field. He has also handled numerous high-profile arbitrations, several of which involved the interplay between arbitration and court proceedings.

Mr. Jacobs is co-author, with Professor Donald Chisum, of World Intellectual Property Guidebook, United States, published in 1992 by Matthew Bender & Company, New York. Prior to the start of his legal career, Mr. Jacobs held assignments with the United States Foreign Service in Kingston, Jamaica, and Washington, D.C.

Mr. Jacobs joined Morrison & Foerster in 1983 and is a partner in its San Francisco office. He served as co-head of the firm’s intellectual property practice since its founding in 1990 until February 2003. He also served as the firm’s Managing Partner for Operations from 1995 to 1997.

Mr. Jacobs was identified as a top 100 “Super Lawyer” by Northern California Super Lawyers and as a leading intellectual property lawyer by Chambers & Partners. He was also highly recommended by the 2006 PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook in Intellectual Property law. PLC notes Mr. Jacobs as “a highly rated contentious specialist.” In addition, Mr. Jacobs is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2007) as a leader in the field of Intellectual Property law.

• Defended Novell in two software patent cases (IAS v Novell and France Telecom v Novell), which were both dismissed with prejudice after decisive pre-trial victories. Currently defending Novell in Linux-related litigation (SCO v Novell) and, having defeated SCO’s claims on summary judgment, proceeding to trial on Novell's affirmative claims for compensation.
• Represented Yahoo! in patent infringement suit involving computerized fantasy football games. Prevailed on appeal in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit after winning an early motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. Successfully represented and currently representing Yahoo! in other patent infringement actions.
• Represented QLT in damages phase of resorbable polymer patent infringement action brought by TAP Pharmaceuticals, after liability established. Successfully settled case after motion practice.
• Represented Israeli early-stage opthamological diagnostic equipment company, Notal, in distributorship dispute with Carl Zeiss Meditec, winning arbitration award, including attorneys’ fees, of $10M.