Ward, Smith & Hill Helps VirnetX Win $625.6 Million Verdict in Eastern District

TYLER, Texas, Feb. 4, 2016

Ward, Smith & Hill founder Johnny Ward and fellow partner Claire Abernathy Henry represented VirnetX along with lead counsel from Dallas' Caldwell Cassady & Curry. The Caldwell Cassady team included principals Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, Austin Curry and Justin Nemunaitis, and associates Hamad M. Hamad, Warren McCarty, Jason McManis, Daniel Pearson, Chris Stewart and John Summers. VirnetX also was represented by Robert M. Parker, R. Christopher Bunt and Charles Ainsworth of Tyler-based Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, PC.

To read more about Mr. Ward and Ms. Henry, click here: http://www.wsfirm.com/attorneys/.

The case revolved around infringement of VirnetX patents to produce certain features on Apple's iPhone, including the company's modified VPN On Demand, iMessage and FaceTime services. Jurors in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Tyler issued their verdict to Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on Feb. 3, following a week-long trial and six hours of deliberations.

"This was a hard-fought case with the right outcome," says Mr. Ward, who selected the jury, examined witnesses and handled a portion of the closing arguments. "We appreciate the close attention and care that the jury and the court devoted to this trial, and we are glad that our clients' valuable patented technology withstood the test."

The verdict includes damages from an earlier liability finding against Apple for infringing two VirnetX patents with an early version of VPN on Demand, plus new damages as a result of Apple's continued infringement through VPN on Demand, iMessage and FaceTime.

Longview, Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, has tried more than 350 cases to verdict, earning a national reputation in high-stakes claims involving complex commercial litigation, intellectual property law, oil and gas matters, bad faith insurance claims, and serious personal injury claims. The firm frequently assists lawyers nationwide in complex cases before Texas juries. To learn more about the firm, click here: http://www.wsfirm.com/.