McAndrews, Held & Malloy

McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.

Firm Overview: McAndrews, Held & Malloy is a premier intellectual property boutique law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1988, the firm has remained a single-office shop focused exclusively on IP law. With a team of approximately 70-90 attorneys, the majority of whom are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, McAndrews is a significant player in the national IP market. The firm is recognized with a national Tier 1 ranking for Patent Law and IP Litigation by U.S. News - Best Law Firms and is also ranked by Chambers USA for its intellectual property practice in Illinois.

IP Litigation Specialty: The firm's litigation practice covers a wide and diverse range of technical fields, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals (including ANDA litigation), computer and electronics technology, consumer products, and industrial and mechanical sectors. Many of the firm's attorneys hold technical degrees in fields like electrical, computer, chemical, and mechanical engineering, as well as chemistry and biochemistry, enabling them to handle technologically complex cases. The firm litigates in federal district courts, at the International Trade Commission (ITC), and in appeals before the Federal Circuit.

Side Preference & Notable Cases: The provided case list shows McAndrews representing the defendant in Reynolds American Inc. v. VPR Brands, a case related to tobacco and e-cigarette technology. Public announcements confirm Matthew McAndrews is lead counsel for VPR Brands in its broader patent commercialization and enforcement program. While the authoritative data points to defense work, the firm's public statements and partner biographies indicate a robust practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes litigation, having secured nine-figure recoveries for clients. The firm has publicly announced litigation victories for clients including VTech, Stryker Corporation, and Axiom Worldwide, often securing favorable claim construction rulings, summary judgments of invalidity, or reversals of jury verdicts.

PTAB / IPR Practice: McAndrews, Held & Malloy has a highly active and well-regarded practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The firm handles post-grant proceedings, including inter partes reviews (IPRs), for both petitioners and patent owners. Sources describe it as having one of the most active PTAB dockets in the country. In one representative matter, the firm successfully defended Metrom Rail in an IPR, persuading the USPTO not to institute review based on issues previously considered during prosecution. Shareholder Peter J. McAndrews has been nationally ranked as a top-performing attorney in IPR proceedings on behalf of patent owners.

Key Partners: Key figures in the firm's patent litigation practice include Matthew G. McAndrews, a partner with extensive trial and appellate experience, particularly before the Federal Circuit. Robert A. Surrette serves as a key contact and managing partner. Other frequently mentioned litigation partners in firm announcements and rankings include Gregory Vogler, Sharon Hwang, Patrick J. Arnold, Jr., and Peter J. McAndrews.