They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Julie Goldemberg of Morgan Lewis

Julie Goldemberg

Age: 39

Law Firm: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Practice Area: Intellectual Property

Title: Partner

Location: Philadelphia

Law School: University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

Bausch Health: I was part of an appellate team that won key victories for Bausch Health and its subsidiary, Salix Pharmaceuticals, to preserve the market exclusivity for Xifaxan, a gastrointestinal drug generating more than $1.6 billion annually. We blocked the launch of a generic version by Norwich Pharmaceuticals, successfully protecting the product until 2028.

First, in the District of Delaware, we won a post-trial ruling that blocked Norwich’s initial abbreviated new drug application. Then, we secured an affirmance before the Federal Circuit of the ruling that upheld Bausch’s Orange Book-listed patents and stopped Norwich’s attempted regulatory workaround.

NetScout Systems: Packet Intelligence sued NetScout for allegedly infringing three patents related to real-time network traffic analysis. A jury awarded $5.75 million, but we reversed part of that damage award on appeal, reducing damages to $3.3 million.

Then, while on remand, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board separately found the claims to be unpatentable. On appeal the second time we argued the parallel invalidation (which was later affirmed) nullified the award, and the Federal Circuit agreed.

The decision confirmed that when an appellate court invalidates a patent, any partially remanded damages award cannot stand. That clarification offers meaningful protection to future defendants in similar cases.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

As a first-year attorney, I learned that success in law is not just about intelligence or hard work. It is about adaptability.

My background in electrical engineering trained me to approach problems methodically. But litigation required a different skill set.

Early on, I realized that no matter how much preparation goes into a case, unexpected challenges always arise. Judges ask unpredictable questions, clients shift priorities, and arguments evolve in real time. I had to think fast, adjust, and stay focused on the core objective.

Another key lesson was efficiency. In law school, I tried to absorb every detail of every case. But in practice, I had to quickly distill complex information, identify what truly mattered, and craft clear, persuasive arguments. That skill became even more essential when drafting motions under tight deadlines. Strong writing often determines the outcome of a case.

These lessons still guide me today. As an appellate advocate, I approach legal arguments with both structure and flexibility, always anticipating the next move. I also pass these insights on to junior attorneys, teaching them that being an exceptional lawyer is not just about mastering the law. It is about knowing when to be methodical and when to adapt, so they can confidently navigate the complexities of litigation.

How do you define success in your practice?

Success is not just about winning. It is about making complicated ideas clear, persuading the right people at the right moment and leaving a lasting impact.

Early in my career, I realized that the best litigators do more than just argue the law—they tell a story that resonates. Whether I am in court, writing a brief, or advising a client, I break down complex technology into something understandable and compelling. That moment when a judge nods in understanding or a client says, “That’s exactly what I was trying to explain,” is when I know I have succeeded.

Success is also about preparation. The best arguments are the ones you have already anticipated. I love working with experts, digging into the science, and uncovering the key detail that will turn a case.

I bring that same strategic mindset to mentoring. Helping a junior associate develop their first argument or seeing a case I worked on shape the law for years to come is just as rewarding as a courtroom victory.

Winning matters. But the real measure of success is the difference you make, for clients, for the law and for the next generation of lawyers.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

I set out to build a Federal Circuit practice, and I did. When I finished my clerkship, I saw how few lawyers, especially women, had carved out a path in appellate patent litigation. I wanted to change that. Now, I co-lead my firm’s Federal Circuit practice, arguing some of the most significant patent appeals in the country.

Winning cases is gratifying, but I am most proud of how I have shaped my own career. I built a reputation as a trusted advocate for major pharmaceutical, biotech, and technology companies. And they now seek me out when their most valuable patents are at stake. Along the way, I made sure to keep a foot in both trial and appellate work, strengthening my ability to anticipate challenges and craft winning legal strategies.

I am also proud of the doors I am opening for others. Federal Circuit litigation remains a male-dominated space, but I am helping shift that balance. I mentor young attorneys, train them in appellate advocacy, and encourage women in the field to take on high-stakes arguments. It is rewarding to see the next generation step up, knowing that I played a role in paving the way.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

William Peterson has been one of my greatest mentors at Morgan Lewis. He taught me that strong appellate advocacy is not just about understanding the law. It is about knowing how to frame an argument so that it resonates.

I have watched him take the most complex legal and technical issues and turn them into clear, compelling narratives. Every word in his briefs is deliberate. Every argument is structured with the next question in mind. That approach shaped how I write and argue cases.

The best appellate lawyers do not just respond to the law. They anticipate how a case fits into the broader legal landscape and position their arguments accordingly.

Those lessons stayed with me, especially as I began arguing before the Federal Circuit. Now, when I mentor junior attorneys, I pass on the same principles. I teach them to be precise and persuasive. I show them how to anticipate the hardest questions and answer them with confidence.

The most successful advocates are not the ones who say the most. They are the ones who say the right thing at the right time.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

Both of my two favorite songs on my summer music playlist are from “Hamilton”: “The Room Where It Happens,” and “The Schuyler Sisters.” I hadn’t listened to the music from that musical for several years, but then I saw the 10-year reunion performance at the Tony [Awards], and I am hooked all over again.

Julie Goldemberg of Morgan Lewis, her husband, Daniel, and their two children wearing their Philadelphia Eagles green to cheer on their son’s favorite football team.

Photo Illustration: Jonathan Hurtarte/ Bloomberg Law; Photo courtesy of Julie Goldemberg