U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has tapped veteran IP litigator Derek Gilliland to serve as a second magistrate judge for the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas.

The Sorey & Gilliland partner is expected to assume a heavy workload of discovery disputes, summary judgment motions and Markman hearings starting in April. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske will continue to handle mostly non-patent work.