OAKLAND — If Latham & Watkins ekes out a win for its client in a hard-fought patent case over language translation technology, lead lawyer Douglas Lumish may have his opponent's expert to thank.

Latham represents TransPerfect Global Inc. as it fends off claims it infringed on three patents owned by rival MotionPoint Corp. Both companies offer automated, outsourced website translation and compete head-to-head for business from Fortune 500 companies.