Clerked for U.S. District Judge Robert L. Wilkins
Washington, DC (January 16, 2013) – Venable LLP announced the return of Moxila A. Upadhyaya to the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group and Calvin R. Nelson to the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group in the Washington, DC office following federal judicial clerkships. Ms. Upadhyaya and Mr. Nelson served as associates from 2005-2011 and 2007-2011 respectively.
Ms. Upadhyaya and Mr. Nelson return to Venable after serving as inaugural law clerks to the Honorable Robert L. Wilkins of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a former Venable litigation partner. Judge Wilkins was nominated by President Barack Obama, unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and has been on the federal bench since 2011. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regularly decides significant constitutional, administrative, and other cases of first impression with national and international implications. In this regard, Ms. Upadhyaya and Mr. Nelson advised Judge Wilkins on pending complex civil, administrative and criminal matters involving high-profile issues of first impression and questions of constitutional law, contract interpretation, statutory interpretation, federal civil procedure, intellectual property and DC law.
Prior to working with Judge Wilkins, Ms. Upadhyaya spent nearly six years as an associate in Venable’s Commercial Litigation Group. She represented clients in civil and criminal proceedings and served as first- and second-chair counsel in trials and numerous depositions. Ms. Upadhyaya also had an active criminal defense pro bono practice, including representing a client who challenged his murder conviction under the DC Innocence Protection Act and was ultimately released from prison. Prior to joining Venable, Ms. Upadhyaya served a two-year term as law clerk to the Honorable Eric T. Washington, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
“Moxi’s experience and knowledge of the DC federal and state court system is second to none and is a tremendous asset,” said Geoffrey R. Garinther, Chair of Venable’s Litigation Division. White Collar attorney and Venable’s former Managing Partner, Karl A. Racine, added, “Moxi’s unique experience clerking for exceptional trial and appellate judges will inure to the benefit of clients. Judges have crushing workloads. They appreciate lawyers who identify and argue the most salient issues of a case. This is exactly what Moxi will do.”
“I’m thrilled to return to Venable, a firm devoted to providing the highest quality in trial advocacy,” said Ms. Upadhyaya. “I’m grateful for the tremendous opportunity to work with Judge Wilkins and to serve the District Court. I’m looking forward to rejoining my former colleagues and resuming my role as an advocate for local and national clients in the DC courts.”
Ms. Upadhyaya will resume her litigation practice, with a strong emphasis on complex civil, business, criminal, real estate and administrative matters in the DC federal and local courts.
Mr. Nelson spent nearly four years as an associate in Venable’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group prior to clerking for Judge Wilkins. His practice focused on patent litigation with an emphasis on pharmaceutical, electrical, medical device, and computer software-related matters. He is also experienced in trademark and copyright litigation matters. Mr. Nelson began his legal career as a paralegal at Patton Boggs LLP before originally joining Venable as a summer associate in law school.
“Calvin is an exceptional attorney and we couldn’t be happier to have him back on the team, “ said William D. Coston, Chair of Venable’s Intellectual Property Division. “The experience he gained clerking at the federal level, working on the cutting edge of patent and copyright issues, will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”
“Serving Judge Wilkins and the District Court was a once in a lifetime opportunity that provided me with a unique perspective,” said Mr. Nelson. “Venable has a long tradition of combining top quality work with a commitment to clients, and that’s why returning was a natural fit. I’m looking forward to restarting and expanding my practice.”
Ms. Upadhyaya earned her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2003. She is a 2000 magna cum laude graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, and also earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Latin studies from the University of Missouri. Mr. Nelson earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2007 and his B.A. in biology from the Johns Hopkins University in 1998.
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