Michael E. Smith

Michael E. Smith is a highly experienced patent litigator and a partner in the Marshall, Texas office of Siebman, Forrest, Burg & Smith, LLP. His practice primarily focuses on complex commercial and patent litigation within federal courts, particularly the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, where he has been counsel of record in over 900 civil cases. The firm serves as "go-to" Texas counsel, often collaborating with national trial teams for major corporations and handling mission-critical cases.

Mr. Smith's patent litigation experience spans various technology areas, with cases such as FedEx Corporation et al. v. Valtrus Innovations Ltd. indicating involvement in software, computer architecture, and information security related patents. In this specific case, he serves as local counsel for FedEx, who is listed as a plaintiff in a patent dispute, likely seeking a declaratory judgment against alleged infringement by Valtrus Innovations Ltd. While the firm represents both intellectual property owners and those accused of infringement, his extensive work in the Eastern District of Texas suggests frequent representation of operating companies in defensive postures against patent assertions.

Beyond district court litigation, Mr. Smith's clients are involved in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings. For instance, FedEx Corporation initiated Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings (IPR2026-00060 and IPR2025-01491) against Valtrus Innovations Ltd., related to the underlying district court litigation. Although specific appearances in PTAB proceedings are not detailed, his role in the associated district court actions demonstrates an engagement with the broader landscape of patent disputes that often include IPRs.

Mr. Smith earned his J.D. from Baylor University and also holds an M.P.A. from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. in World War II Studies from Arizona State University, and a B.S. from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce). He is a recognized figure in the Texas legal community, having been selected for "The Best Lawyers in America" in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Patent Law, and consistently named a "Texas Super Lawyer" since 2008. He is also known for maintaining EDTexweblog.com and TEXIPLAWBLOG, providing insights into intellectual property cases, and serving as editor of "O'Connor's Federal Rules Civil Trials." He is also the sole inventor on two U.S. patents.