Counsel registry

Potter Minton

55 case appearances 14 as plaintiff counsel · 41 as defendant counsel.

Firm overview

Potter Minton is an established regional law firm headquartered in Tyler, Texas, with an additional office in Marshall, Texas. Founded in 1898, it holds the distinction of being the oldest law firm in Tyler. While operating as a general civil practice firm, Potter Minton is particularly recognized for its intellectual property litigation capabilities, serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, small companies, and Fortune 500 corporations.

The firm's IP litigation practice is noted for its work in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes across various technology sectors. Areas of particular experience include wireless and telecommunications devices and software, semiconductors, computer systems, integrated circuits, data-based systems, speech coding, data compression, network security, and automotive products. Their case history includes representing major technology and consumer goods companies such as Samsung, Apple, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, Wayfair, General Motors, and Skechers.

Potter Minton predominantly operates on the defense side in patent litigation, with 41 of its 52 tracked appearances being for defendants, often serving as local counsel in the Eastern District of Texas. However, the firm also represents plaintiffs, having appeared in 11 plaintiff-side cases, demonstrating a balanced capacity to handle both defense and plaintiff roles.

A notable case involving the firm is Personalized Media Communications, LLC v. Apple Inc., where Potter Minton served as local counsel for Apple. While a jury initially awarded the plaintiff over $308 million, the district court later overturned this verdict based on prosecution laches, a decision affirmed by the Federal Circuit and for which the Supreme Court denied certiorari. More recently, Apple voluntarily dismissed its cross-appeals at the Federal Circuit in a related patentability challenge concerning the same patent. The firm has also secured trial victories for clients like Cisco Systems. While the firm's website does not explicitly detail a dedicated PTAB/IPR practice, its involvement in cases like Personalized Media Communications v. Apple indicates experience with the outcomes and appellate processes stemming from PTAB proceedings.

Key partners leading the intellectual property litigation practice include Michael E. Jones and Shaun W. Hassett. Michael E. Jones, a shareholder, is highly experienced in intellectual property, oil and gas, and commercial litigation, with extensive trial experience for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has been recognized as a "go-to" lawyer for Fortune 500 companies in IP litigation and has been a Texas Super Lawyer from 2004 to 2026. Shaun W. Hassett, also a key attorney, focuses on complex patent litigation for both industry competitors and non-practicing entities, having handled a wide variety of technologies and earning recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017 to 2022. E. Glenn Thames, Jr., the firm's Managing Partner, is also recognized as a Super Lawyer.

Attorneys

Roles

  • local counsel32
  • Local Counsel26
  • counsel3
  • lead counsel3
  • of counsel2
  • Of Counsel2
  • Lead & Local Counsel1
  • Local Counsel (presumed)1
  • Lead Counsel1
  • Back-up Counsel1
  • Local Counsel / Lead Counsel1
  • Lead Counsel, Local Counsel1
  • Counsel1

Cases (55)