Former federal judge joins A&O Shearman as IP partner
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, a former federal judge in Texas, has joined A&O Shearman as an intellectual property partner. (Photo from A&O Shearman’s Sept. 1 press release)
A former federal judge in Texas has joined A&O Shearman as an intellectual property partner.
The law firm announced in a Tuesday press release that U.S. District Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas, who was appointed to the federal bench in 2018, will be based out of the Austin, Texas office.
“Few, if any, judges in America have handled more patent litigation than Alan,” said Laëtitia Bénard, the firm’s global head of IP litigation, in a the press release. “He has presided over many of the country’s most significant IP and technology disputes, and his experience will be invaluable to clients navigating complex cases. We are thrilled to welcome him to our growing Austin office.”
According to Bloomberg Law, Albright had presided over one of the busiest dockets for patent cases in the country—at one point being responsible for nearly 25% of all patent lawsuits filed nationally.
Bloomberg Law reports that Albright, who stepped down from the bench in late August, drew criticism from tech companies and some politicians for concentrating so many patent cases in his district. Before becoming a judge, Albright practiced IP law for almost two decades.
“The firm’s leading disputes practice, its relationships and expertise across the technology sector, and growing Texas presence create a compelling opportunity. I look forward to working with its talented teams to help clients navigate complex patent and technology disputes in the U.S. and around the world,” Albright said in the press release.
Law360 also had coverage.
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