Michael M. Smith

Michael M. Smith is a patent litigation attorney at Vinson & Elkins, focusing his practice on representing operating companies in complex technology disputes. His experience primarily involves defending clients against patent assertion entities (PAEs). His work has spanned technologies related to wireless communication, intelligent wireless broadband relay, smart antennas, and network monitoring.

As lead counsel for Samsung Electronics America Inc. against Massively Broadband LLC, Mr. Smith has been involved in significant patent litigation. The case in the Eastern District of Texas commenced in June 2025, following Massively Broadband's allegations of infringement concerning patents related to wireless and network technologies. In parallel, Mr. Smith has represented Samsung in challenging the validity of Massively Broadband's patents through inter partes review (IPR) proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Notably, this includes IPR2026-00086, which challenged claims of a wireless network quality patent and received a discretionary denial on institution in February 2026. He is also involved in IPR2025-01605 against Massively Broadband.

His involvement in these parallel district court and PTAB proceedings demonstrates his experience in both offensive and defensive patent strategies, including a particular emphasis on IPRs to challenge asserted patents.