U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Patent Litigation Profile: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Atlanta, GA – April 30, 2026 – The United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, a key federal venue in the Eleventh Circuit, maintains a moderately active patent docket. Headquartered in Atlanta with divisions in Gainesville, Newnan, and Rome, the court serves a major hub of commerce and technology in the Southeast. While not a top-tier venue by case volume like the Western District of Texas or the District of Delaware, the Northern District of Georgia has recently seen an increase in patent filings, ranking as the fifth most active district for non-practicing entity (NPE) litigation in the fourth quarter of 2024. All patent appeals from this court are routed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The court has a reputation for diligence rather than speed. While some older analyses have referred to it as a "rocket docket," more recent data from 2019 indicated a median time to trial of 23.3 months for civil cases, which is faster than some popular patent venues but not among the absolute fastest in the nation. The district has shown a balanced approach to transfer motions. Judges have granted transfers when the convenience of witnesses and location of evidence clearly favor another forum but have also denied them when the movant fails to make a strong case for transfer, ensuring the plaintiff's choice of forum is not lightly disturbed.

A significant feature of the court's patent practice is its detailed Local Patent Rules, first adopted in 2004 and updated periodically. These rules govern the progression of patent cases, mandating early disclosure of infringement and invalidity contentions, and setting a structured process for claim construction proceedings. The rules aim to "facilitate the speedy, fair and efficient resolution of patent disputes." A notable 2022 amendment to Local Patent Rule 6.1 requires parties to include a proposed definition of a person of ordinary skill in the art with their initial claim construction disclosures. These established rules provide procedural predictability for litigants.

Among the cases currently tracked, Shane Michael Johnston v. Guardian Sports LLC was recently filed and assigned to Judge Tiffany R. Johnson, one of President Biden's recent appointees to the bench. Another active matter is The Only Card LLC v. Eternal Inc, demonstrating ongoing new patent filings in the district. A noteworthy recent development involves ETI Solid State Lighting, which, after being sued by Signify in the Northern District, filed its own infringement complaint against Signify's subsidiary, Cooper Lighting, in the court's Newnan Division in April 2026, showcasing complex, multi-party disputes within the district.

Two judges of note for patent matters are Senior Judge Richard W. Story and Judge Tiffany R. Johnson. Judge Story, appointed in 1998, has a long history on the court and now serves in a senior status, maintaining an active caseload. He has presided over numerous patent cases during his tenure. Judge Johnson is the newest judge in the district, receiving her commission in January 2025. Her assignment to the Johnston v. Guardian Sports case places her in a position to shape the future of patent jurisprudence in the district.