Ada Brown

Judge Ada Brown: Patent Litigation Profile

Dallas Division, Northern District of Texas

First appointed to the federal bench in 2019, Judge Ada Brown brings a unique mix of experience as a former state appellate justice, criminal court judge, and patent litigator to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Nominated by President Donald J. Trump, she was confirmed by the Senate on September 11, 2019. Prior to her appointment, Judge Brown was a justice on the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas. Earlier in her career, she was a litigator at the prominent Texas law firm McKool Smith, where her practice included complex commercial and patent infringement disputes. Her background also includes extensive experience as a prosecutor and a judge on the Dallas County Criminal Court.

As a relatively new judge to the federal bench, Judge Brown's patent docket is still developing. The Northern District of Texas as a whole follows a specific set of local patent rules outlined in Amended Miscellaneous Order No. 62, which governs procedures from initial disclosures to claim construction. Judge Brown’s individual procedures indicate that she typically relies on the parties' briefing for motions but may grant written requests for oral argument. Cases are generally referred to mediation. Her diverse legal background, which includes hands-on experience in patent litigation from her time in private practice, provides her with a strong foundation for managing these complex cases.

While she has not yet presided over a large volume of patent trials, Judge Brown has handled a variety of civil and criminal matters. In a notable non-patent ruling in August 2024, Judge Brown struck down the Federal Trade Commission's nationwide ban on non-compete agreements in Ryan, LLC v. FTC, finding the agency had exceeded its statutory authority and that the rule was "arbitrary and capricious." This high-profile decision, which garnered significant national attention, demonstrates her approach to administrative law and statutory interpretation. The single patent case tracked, Yopima LLC v. E2open Parent Holdings Inc., was recently filed and remains in early stages.

Judge Brown’s specific requirements and standing orders emphasize adherence to the local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Her procedures detail that a scheduling order will typically be entered after the parties submit a Joint Status Report, in lieu of a formal Rule 16 conference unless one is specifically set. She strongly disfavors motions to withdraw as counsel that would disrupt case deadlines. For trial, Judge Brown conducts the bulk of voir dire herself, using written questions submitted by the parties. Her courtroom is equipped with modern presentation technology, and she requires attorneys to schedule training on the equipment before trial.