Practice

Patent Litigation

Strategic Advocates for High-Stakes Patent Litigation

Innovative companies turn to Sheppard to represent them in complex, high-stakes patent litigation matters and to safeguard their patented technology.

From bet-the-company competitor disputes to SEP/FRAND battles, we deliver seasoned trial talent, technical depth and coordinated global strategy. 

Trusted Trial Lawyers for Bet-the-Company Patent Matters 

Sheppard’s Patent Litigation team partners with innovative start-ups to the top Fortune 500 companies to handle the most complex and business-critical disputes in the U.S.

We represent leading technology, semiconductor, telecommunications, multimedia, energy, automotive, media, life sciences and consumer companies in matters that directly affect product lines, global operations and long-term strategy. Our lawyers deliver practical litigation counsel that drives the right outcome for each client, whether through early motion practice, efficient resolution or a full trial and appeal. While we are adept at resolving matters before trial to meet our clients’ litigation goals, our team is particularly known for strong trial skills in the courtroom. We are recognized for our ability to connect with jurors and translate complex technologies into clear, persuasive narratives.

Our experience spans the full range of patent disputes, including competitor litigation, sophisticated NPE cases, injunction actions and challenges involving high-value technologies including semiconductors, software, wireless communications, 4G/5G standards, video codecs, oilfield technologies, medical devices and advanced electronics across federal district courts, the ITC, the PTAB and the Federal Circuit. 

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Areas of Focus

Trial Experience
Our trial experience is a defining strength of our practice, not merely a theoretical capability. Our lawyers routinely take patent cases to verdict, including high-stakes competitor disputes, SEP actions, ITC investigations and complex district court cases. Few firms can match the volume of recent trials handled by our bench or the results we’ve achieved for major global companies. This depth of courtroom experience not only positions clients for success at trial but also drives leverage in early motion practice, settlement negotiations and parallel PTAB proceedings.
SEP / FRAND
We are one of the few U.S. firms with deep, sustained experience in standard-essential patent (SEP) and FRAND disputes. It is an area where our lawyers have led many of the most consequential cases of the past 20 years. We have deep technical and legal experience across the cellular, Wi-Fi and video-codec ecosystems, handling valuation and portfolio assessment, licensing negotiations and multijurisdictional litigation. For clients with worldwide exposure, our ability to guide global litigation strategy is a major benefit. Our team delivers global strategies spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America, protecting clients’ core technologies and commercial interests. 
Post-Grant Proceedings
We guide clients through the evolving high-stakes post-grant challenges, including inter partes review (IPR), ex parte re-examinations and other related PTAB proceedings, using seasoned advocates with deep technical and trial experience. In light of procedural and policy changes, our team develops business-driven strategies that align PTAB petitions with parallel litigation and appellate objectives helping clients protect critical patents or efficiently resolve disputes. With a strong record before the PTAB and in Federal Circuit appeals, we deliver sophisticated, end-to-end post-grant counsel. 

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