Shook Hardy & Bacon

Firm overview:

Midwest firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon has a roughly even split between patent prosecution and litigation work, with a symbiotic relationship between its teams that creates a seamless service for clients. The firm has represented some of the best-known household brands in patent matters and attributes its long-standing relationships with clients to a focus on honest advice and trust, backed up by results.

Amid continuing rate challenges for all firms, Shook is finding ways to create value beyond “bread and butter prosecution”, offering strategic guidance to help clients gain or maintain market share. The firm is also leveraging AI tools to create efficiencies on the administrative side.

Trial wins and big settlements have attracted new clients to the firm—which takes on cases midstream or even close to trial, as plaintiffs or defendants seek out Shook’s litigation team for their experience before juries. The firm delivers “unfiltered, unvarnished” assessments to clients—knowing that when the stakes are high, “surprises are the worst thing that can happen”. To counter this, Shook keeps its clients well informed throughout the litigation process, with periodic case summits allowing businesses to plan for any risks.

Team overview:

Cory Fisher co-chairs the firm’s IP Practice Group, with his patent-focused practice informed by his varied background in manufacturing, engineering and internet-based services. Fisher looks for opportunities for clients to increase their position within their finite pool of resources, and is particularly well versed in AI.

Kansas City partner Leonard Searcy is “exceptional at the relationship side of the business”, according to a colleague, and “very aggressive” in finding ways to meet the needs of in-house counsel. Elena Khadvi McFarland also has a strong patent prosecution practice and works across diverse industries to find the best strategies for clients.

Trent Webb heads up Shook’s IP Litigation Practice Group and has acted as lead trial counsel in more than 150 IP cases, obtaining more than $1 billion in jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in patent litigation.

First-chair litigator Lauren Douville is adept at handling high-stakes patent litigation, with experience in district courts and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Another asset to the litigation team is Aaron Hankel, known for his ability to grasp complex issues quickly and stay a step ahead in the courtroom.