Sam Baxter

Samuel F. Baxter is a highly distinguished, now-retired, patent litigator known for his extensive trial experience, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas. He concluded a storied career as a Principal at McKool Smith, where he joined in 1995, specializing in complex intellectual property litigation for over three decades. Prior to his private practice career, Baxter served as a Texas state district judge and district attorney for Harrison County, Texas, providing him with deep familiarity with the Eastern District of Texas, a prominent venue for patent disputes.

Baxter's practice primarily involved representing patent owners, securing numerous eight- and nine-figure jury verdicts. His case history, including three plaintiff-side appearances and one defendant-side appearance, reflects this plaintiff-focused approach. He handled high-stakes cases across various technology sectors, including telecommunications (e.g., 4G LTE technology), software, and automotive (hybrid vehicle engines). Noteworthy results include securing a $506 million patent infringement verdict and later a $300 million jury verdict in a damages retrial for PanOptis against Apple Inc. related to 4G LTE technology, which aligns with his role as lead counsel in Personalized Media Communications, LLC v. Apple Inc.. He also played a lead role in a record-breaking $1.4 billion settlement for the State of Texas against Meta in 2024, and secured a $500 million patent settlement for TiVo Inc. following a trial against EchoStar Corp..

Throughout his career, Baxter's trial prowess earned him significant accolades, including recognition as an "Icon of IP" by Law360 and inclusion in The National Law Journal's "Top 100 Verdicts" multiple times. His professional profiles do not emphasize experience in PTAB or IPR proceedings, with his reputation largely built on district court jury trials.

Baxter earned his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1970, after receiving his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967. He is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Fifth Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas.