Samuel Baxter

Samuel F. Baxter, who recently retired as a Principal from McKool Smith in May 2026 after a distinguished 56-year legal career, was a preeminent patent litigator with a particular focus on the Eastern District of Texas. His practice primarily encompassed complex technology and automotive sectors, including wireless telecommunications, cardiovascular stents, and V-Chip technology. He was known for his trial advocacy and ability to connect with jurors in high-stakes intellectual property disputes.

Throughout his career, Mr. Baxter predominantly represented plaintiffs in patent infringement litigation, securing numerous eight and nine-figure jury verdicts. His notable achievements include securing a patent infringement verdict against Amazon.com, Inc. for Vocalife, LLC, and a $300 million jury verdict for PanOptis against Apple Inc. in a damages retrial in 2021. He also played a lead role in significant cases such as Ericsson v. Qualcomm concerning wireless telecommunications technology, and Medtronic v. Cordis involving cardiovascular stents.

Recognized as an "Icon of IP" by Law360 and consistently listed among the country's top trial lawyers by various publications, Mr. Baxter's courtroom achievements include securing significant verdicts, with four recognized in The National Law Journal's "Top 100 Verdicts." Before joining McKool Smith in 1995, he served as a Texas state district judge and district attorney for Harrison County, Texas. His education includes a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law (1970) and a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin (1967). He is admitted to practice in Texas, before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Fifth Circuits, and various U.S. District Courts in Texas.

While Mr. Baxter's practice focused heavily on district court litigation, information regarding his regular appearance in PTAB or IPR proceedings is not reliably sourced.