Richard W. Story

Judge Richard W. Story: Patent Litigation Profile

Judge Overview

Richard W. Story is a senior United States district judge for the Northern District of Georgia. Nominated by President Bill Clinton, he joined the court in 1998 and assumed senior status on December 1, 2018. Despite his senior status, he is known to maintain a substantial caseload. Before his federal appointment, Judge Story had an extensive judicial career in Georgia's state courts, serving as a chief judge on the Superior Court for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit (1986-1997) and as a part-time judge for the Hall County Juvenile Court (1985-1986). His earlier career included private practice in Gainesville, Georgia, and work as a part-time special assistant attorney general for the state. He earned his B.A. from LaGrange College and his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Patent Docket

Judge Story presides over patent infringement suits filed in the Northern District of Georgia, which is a district with its own local patent rules that govern the proceedings. While detailed statistics on his patent caseload relative to his peers are not publicly available, docket records show he handles patent cases covering various technologies. For instance, past cases before him have involved digital video information systems and biotechnology. More recently, he was assigned The Only Card LLC v. Eternal Inc., filed in April 2026. The Northern District of Georgia's Patent Rules mandate a structured schedule for infringement and invalidity contentions, claim construction briefing, and discovery, which provides a framework for how patent cases proceed in his court.

Notable Rulings & Trends

While Judge Story has not authored patent-specific opinions that have garnered widespread national attention, he manages patent disputes through to their resolution, including overseeing settlements. For example, in a recent 2026 patent case, he granted a joint motion to stay deadlines following a report of a settlement in principle. In an earlier action, Utility Associates, Inc. v. Digital Ally, Inc., he was assigned a dispute over a patent for a "Composite Mobile Digital Information System," where the plaintiff sought an injunction and treble damages for willful infringement. His docket also includes past patent cases such as Phigenix, Inc. v. Genentech, Inc. and Aeritas, LLC v. Delta Airlines, Inc.. His judicial approach emphasizes fidelity to the law, as noted by legal commentators in non-patent contexts.

Local Rules & Procedures

Litigants in Judge Story's courtroom are governed by the Northern District of Georgia's Local Rules, including the district's specific Patent Rules, and by his own "Standing Order Regarding Civil Litigation." This standing order outlines the court's specific policies and procedures for managing civil cases. The district's Patent Rules establish a detailed procedural timeline, including requirements for the exchange of a "Joint Claim Construction Statement" and procedures for handling confidential information. Judge Story is known for expecting a high degree of professionalism from counsel appearing before him. His standing orders and the court's local rules provide a clear framework for discovery, motion practice, and trial proceedings.