The Eastern District of Texas is a hotbed for patent infringement litigation, but many of the lawyers filing those patent suits live outside the district or out of state, and their firms do not have offices there. (Dallas-based McKool Smith, which has an office in Marshall, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, which just opened a Longview office, are two exceptions.) That’s why they hire local counsel — lawyers who work and live in the district — to assist them. Texas Lawyer asked some lead patent lawyers to explain what they expect from their local counsel and asked local counsel for tips on getting such work. What follows are their emailed answers, edited for length and style.
The Word From Lawyers Who Hire Local Counsel
“There are many talented local counsel in the Eastern District of Texas. It’s helpful to have local counsel who know the judge’s preferences and practices, can relate to the jury pool in the court’s locale, and are well respected by the court and other counsel. . . .
