Foley & Lardner

Foley & Lardner: Patent Litigation Summary

Date: 2026-05-01

Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP
Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
AmLaw 100 Ranking (2026): 43

Foley & Lardner LLP is a large, full-service international law firm with roots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dating back to 1842. As an AmLaw 50 firm, it maintains a significant national and international footprint with approximately 1,100 lawyers across 27 offices. The firm is highly regarded for its intellectual property practice, which receives top-tier "Band 1" rankings from Chambers USA in its home state of Wisconsin and is also recognized in other key markets. While a general practice firm, Foley dedicates substantial resources to its IP department, which handles the full lifecycle of intellectual property assets for clients in its core strategic sectors: Innovative Technology, Health Care & Life Sciences, and Manufacturing.

The firm’s patent litigation practice covers a wide array of technologies, from semiconductors and electronics to medical devices and consumer products. This technical breadth is reflected in its recent representations, which include defending semiconductor manufacturer Monolithic Power Systems in Greenthread Ltd v. Monolithic Power Systems Inc and representing the plaintiff Blue Box Air Inc in a dispute involving HVAC technology. The firm’s client base includes both established corporations and emerging companies. Based on available data, the firm appears to take a balanced approach, representing clients on both the plaintiff and defendant side of patent disputes.

Foley & Lardner has a long history of significant outcomes in patent law, including involvement in landmark Federal Circuit cases that have shaped patent law. The firm's modern practice extends beyond district court litigation to a robust post-grant practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This capability was significantly enhanced in 2025 with the strategic hiring of a group of litigators, including partners Miguel Bombach and John P. Schnurer, who have collectively handled over 270 inter partes review (IPR) petitions. The firm promotes a strategy of using PTAB proceedings and aggressive motion practice to achieve early and cost-effective resolutions for clients.

The practice is led by seasoned litigators across the country. Key partners named in recent federal cases include Miguel Bombach in the firm's San Diego office, a notable lateral hire with deep experience in the semiconductor and electronics industries, and J. Michael Thomas. The national Intellectual Property Department is chaired by Jeffrey S. Gundersen. Chambers USA also recognizes other practitioners for their IP litigation work, such as David Wright.