Latham & Watkins

An analysis of Latham & Watkins LLP's patent litigation practice reveals a top-tier, global "BigLaw" firm with a strong emphasis on defending established technology companies in high-stakes disputes. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1934, the firm has grown to include over 3,500 lawyers across dozens of offices in 14 countries. Latham & Watkins is consistently ranked among the most prestigious and highest-grossing law firms in the world; for 2025, it was the second-largest law firm by revenue in the Am Law 100 and ranked fourth in the Vault Law 100 survey.

The firm’s intellectual property group, comprising over 100 litigators, handles a wide range of technology and life sciences matters, including pharmaceuticals, software, semiconductors, and medical devices. The provided case list highlights a particular focus on disputes within the media and video streaming sector, with partner Tara D. Elliott leading the defense for clients like DirecTV and fuboTV in multiple cases brought by DISH Technologies. The firm’s work is predominantly defense-oriented, a trend supported by the authoritative case data, which shows Latham appearing for the defendant in seven out of eight tracked patent cases.

Latham & Watkins maintains a significant and highly integrated trial practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), handling inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings that often run parallel to district court or International Trade Commission (ITC) litigation. The firm's website notes that it pioneered a litigation-focused approach to PTAB matters from the board's inception, leveraging its deep bench of trial and appellate lawyers. Chambers USA recognizes the firm with a Band 1 national ranking for its Intellectual Property practice, noting its strength in PTAB proceedings, ITC investigations, and complex patent litigation for major technology and life sciences companies.

Key partners in the IP litigation practice include Tara D. Elliott, a first-chair trial lawyer based in Washington, D.C., who features prominently in the tracked cases. Richard G. Frenkel, a partner with prior experience as Director of Intellectual Property at Cisco Systems, represents clients in the telecommunications, semiconductor, and software industries. Other notable attorneys from the case list and legal directories include Gabriel K. Bell, recognized for his appellate expertise, and Inge A. Osman, who is noted for her work before the PTAB.