Brian Swanson

Brian Swanson is a partner at Bartlit Beck, where he focuses on high-stakes intellectual property and general commercial litigation. His patent litigation experience spans a range of technologies, including life sciences, specifically liquid biopsy sequencing methods and cancer diagnostics, as well as mechanical and aerospace systems, such as auxiliary power units used in large commercial airplanes. He has also handled patent matters involving seed genetics and consumer product technology.

While he has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in various litigation contexts, his tracked patent litigation appearances primarily involve defending operating companies. Notably, he is currently lead counsel for Tempus AI, Inc. in the ongoing patent infringement case Guardant Health, Inc. v. Tempus AI, Inc., which involves patents related to liquid biopsy sequencing methods. This case also includes a related IPR proceeding (IPR2026-00185), indicating his involvement in PTAB/IPR matters.

A significant outcome in his patent litigation career includes successfully defending the Hamilton Sundstrand division of United Technologies Corporation in a patent infringement suit brought by Honeywell. Bartlit Beck was retained after a previous $46 million jury verdict against Hamilton Sundstrand. Swanson and his team secured a ruling that Honeywell was estopped from asserting the doctrine of equivalents, a decision affirmed by the Federal Circuit, with the Supreme Court denying certiorari. He also secured summary judgment for ShaveLogic in a patent case initiated by Gillette.

Mr. Swanson earned his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law and his bachelor's degree cum laude from Amherst College.