Experienced Advocates.
Proven Results.

Richard Caldwell founded Caldwell & Mercer LLP with the vision of creating a boutique firm that combines deep technical expertise with elite litigation strategy. With over 30 years of experience in intellectual property law, Richard has tried more than 50 patent cases to verdict and has secured over $800 million in aggregate damages for his clients. Before founding the firm, he served as lead IP litigation partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP and clerked for the Honorable Pauline Newman on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His engineering background gives him a distinctive advantage in complex technology disputes involving semiconductors, telecommunications, and software architectures. Richard is regularly recognized by Chambers USA and has been named to the IAM Patent 1000 for fifteen consecutive years.

Elena Mercer is the Managing Partner of Caldwell & Mercer LLP and leads the firm's patent and copyright litigation practice. Known for her meticulous case preparation and commanding courtroom presence, Elena has secured landmark victories in cases involving artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital media technologies. She has been named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation and is a fellow of the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Prior to co-founding the firm, Elena was a senior associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where she represented Fortune 100 technology companies in multi-district patent litigations. She is a frequent speaker at AIPLA and INTA conferences and has published extensively on the intersection of AI and patent law.

James Nakamura is a Senior Associate at Caldwell & Mercer LLP, where he focuses on trademark disputes, trade secret litigation, and patent matters. James brings a sharp analytical mind and exceptional writing skills to every case, having been recognized with the firm's Outstanding Brief Award in both 2023 and 2024. Before joining the firm, he completed a clerkship with the Honorable George H. Wu in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. His engineering background enables him to quickly master complex technical subject matter, from advanced manufacturing processes to software algorithms. James is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association's IP Section and serves as a pro bono mentor through the Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Patricia Holloway serves as Of Counsel at Caldwell & Mercer LLP, bringing over 25 years of experience in copyright enforcement and intellectual property counseling. Patricia has represented major entertainment studios, publishing houses, and digital media companies in high-profile copyright disputes, including several cases that established important precedent in the Ninth Circuit. She previously served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Warner Bros. Entertainment, where she oversaw the studio's worldwide copyright enforcement program. Patricia is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and currently serves on the advisory board of the USC Gould School of Law's IP Institute. Her deep industry connections and strategic perspective make her an invaluable resource for clients navigating complex IP landscapes.