Gilbert T. Smolenski

Gilbert T. Smolenski is a patent litigator whose practice focuses on high-stakes intellectual property disputes across diverse technology sectors, including medical devices, software, hardware, and renewable energy. His work encompasses district court litigation, appeals to the Federal Circuit, and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

While his tracked appearances indicate work for plaintiff-side clients, specifically two instances for Hanwha Solutions Corporation, his broader practice involves advising companies on global enforcement strategies and intellectual property risks in transactions. His tracked cases relate to Hanwha Solutions Corporation v. Maxeon Solar Pte Ltd., where his client, Hanwha, was a party in a patent dispute concerning solar cell technology. This dispute concluded in June 2026 with a joint motion for dismissal, wherein Maxeon's claims of patent infringement were dismissed "with prejudice" against Hanwha.

Mr. Smolenski possesses significant experience with PTAB proceedings. He is a Conference Committee Co-Chair for the PTAB Bar Association and has co-authored a report on Federal Circuit standards for IPR estoppel. The Hanwha v. Maxeon matter included an Inter Partes Review (IPR2024-01198) initiated by Hanwha, which led to an appeal at the Federal Circuit (Case 26-1531).

Mr. Smolenski's tracked appearances were while he was at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. He is currently a Senior Managing Associate at Sidley Austin LLP. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2019 and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, magna cum laude, from Clemson University in 2016. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the District of Columbia, and New York.