Attorney Profiles

Sarah J. Gayer

Sarah J. Gayer

625 First Street Southeast, Suite 400
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-2030
Phone: (319) 286-7005
Fax: (319) 286-7050
sjgayer@nyemaster.com

Sarah Gayer is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Intellectual Property Departments. Sarah is registered as a patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Her practice focuses on representing companies in commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation (including patent, trademark, and copyright). Sarah is admitted to the Northern District of Iowa and the Southern District of Iowa and frequently serves as local counsel. She also regularly represents companies in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Sarah is a native of Sioux City, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina in 1993, graduating magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors. She graduated from the University of Iowa College in Law in 1997, with highest distinction and Order of the Coif. To become eligible for registration as a patent attorney, Sarah engaged in post-baccalaureate studies in biology and chemistry, including genetics, cell physiology, and botany.

Significant Cases

Eden Electrical v. Amana Co., 370 F.3d 824 (8th Cir. 2004). Directly involved in representation of Israeli plaintiff in fraud litigation against Amana. After trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, the jury awarded $2.1 million in compensatory damages and $17.875 million in punitive damages, the latter of which was reduced to $10 million by the trial court. Successfully defended compensatory and punitive damage awards in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Successfully resisted Amana’s petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.
J. Lloyd v. Imperial Toy, Case No. 1:2006cv00043 (N.D. Iowa). Directly involved in representation of plaintiff in trademark, copyright, and patent infringement litigation. Litigation resolved favorably for client prior to trial.
Frontier Distribution, LLC v. CH Robinson Co., Case No. 1:2007cv00048 (N.D. Iowa). Directly involved in representation of plaintiff in trademark infringement litigation. Successfully obtained injunctive relief against CH Robinson Company, a Fortune 500® company.
Panda Investments, Inc. v. Jabez Enterprises, Ltd., Case No. 07-cv-114-LRR (N.D. Iowa). Directly involved in representation of plaintiff in litigation involving Lanham Act and fraudulent transfer claims. Obtained default judgment in favor of client. The court ordered the United States Patent and Trademark Office to rescind the fraudulently transferred trademarks and also granted injunctive relief.
RF Technologies Corporation et al. v. Applied Microwave Technologies, Inc. et al, Case No. CIV.05-32-P-C (D. Me.). Directly involved in representation of defendants in litigation involving claims of conversion, breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair competition. Obtained dismissal of claims against individual defendants for lack of personal jurisdiction. Succeeded in defending plaintiff’s request for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctive. Litigation resolved favorably for client prior to trial.
McIlhenny Co. v. Tabasco’s Mexican Restaurant and Patio, Inc., Case No. 1:2005cv00029 (N.D. Iowa). Directly involved in representation of plaintiff in trademark litigation. Litigation resolved favorably for client prior to trial.
Medical Associates Health Plan, Inc. v. CIGNA Corp., Case No. C04-1025-LRR (N.D. Iowa). Directly involved in representation of plaintiff in breach of contract action against CIGNA Corporation. Obtained summary judgment on liability issues. Litigation resolved favorably for client prior to trial on damages issues.
Special Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2010

Martindale-Hubbell Rating

BV®

Education

Duke University (B.A., English, magna cum laude, 1993)
University of Iowa (J.D., with highest distinction, 1997)
Coe College (post-baccalaureate studies in genetics, cell physiology, developmental biology, cellular and molecular biology, botany, organismal and ecological biology, human anatomy, organic evolution, and chemical reactivity, 2006-2008)

Academic Achievements

Order of the Coif
Phi Beta Kappa

Associations & Affiliations

American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board, 2003-2009
Federal Practice Committee, 2003-2006
Appellate Practice Committee, 2002-2004
Young Lawyers Division Publicity Committee, 1998-2000
Linn County Bar Association
Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 1997
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2009
Admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Iowa, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Community Involvement

Board Member, Waypoint, 2009-present

Professional Experience

Shareholder, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2003-2008
Associate, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1997-2002