Former U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has landed at A&O Shearman, the firm announced Tuesday, as an intellectual property litigator in its Austin office.
Albright was appointed to the federal bench in 2018 and quickly implemented local rules and procedures that turned his courtroom into a preferred venue for patent disputes. He stepped down from the role last month.
“Few, if any, judges in America have handled more patent litigation than Alan,” the firm’s global head of IP litigation, Laëtitia Bénard, said in a news 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.”
Albright earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in 1981 and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1984. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Before his appointment to the federal bench, Albright was an IP partner with Bracewell in Austin.
“After years on the federal bench, I’m excited to return to client work and trial practice at A&O Shearman,” Albright said in the release. “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.”