Kurt G. Pankratz

Kurt G. Pankratz is a lead trial lawyer and Partner at Baker Botts, where he chairs the Dallas Intellectual Property department. His practice centers on high-stakes patent and trade secret disputes, often involving complex high-technology issues. Leveraging a background in computer engineering, he handles litigation across diverse fields including WiFi, Blu-ray, digital audio, laser diode, semiconductor manufacturing processes, medical devices (neurostimulation pulse generators), remote control computer technology, and network/device protocols. He also has experience with patent prosecution, licensing, and overall intellectual property management.

Pankratz has a demonstrated ability to represent both plaintiffs and defendants in patent matters. While the tracked case data shows one defendant-side appearance (Cyberfone Systems, LLC v. Southwest Airlines Co.), his broader experience includes securing jury trial victories for both patent owners and accused infringers. Notable outcomes include a $210 million trade secret verdict for a U.S.-based IT services and consulting company, an almost $300 million verdict for a patent owner, an ITC exclusion order leading to a $75 million settlement, and a directed verdict for a defendant that eliminated billions of dollars in exposure. He also obtained summary judgment of non-infringement in a case involving remote control computer technology and a jury verdict of non-infringement for a global handset provider. In the tracked case, he represented Southwest Airlines Co. against Cyberfone Systems, LLC, a non-practicing entity, in a dispute concerning secure data transaction methods; the case was ultimately dismissed with prejudice.

His practice also encompasses significant experience with Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) trials, complementing his federal and state court litigation work.

Pankratz earned his J.D. with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 1999 and a B.S. in computer engineering, cum laude, from Texas A&M University in 1995. He is admitted to the State Bar of Texas, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and several U.S. Courts of Appeals and District Courts, including the Federal Circuit.