Schlather Law Firm

Schlather Law Firm, in the context of its patent litigation practice, refers primarily to the work led by Stephen F. Schlather, a shareholder at Edmonds & Schlather, PLLC. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Edmonds & Schlather, PLLC, operates as an intellectual property litigation boutique with a reported firm size of 11 to 24 attorneys. The firm is not associated with AmLaw or Chambers rankings specific to patent litigation.

The firm's IP litigation expertise, as demonstrated through Stephen F. Schlather's experience, spans a diverse array of technologies. These include microprocessors and integrated circuits, internet-based software and systems, oilfield equipment and chemicals, medical implants, wireless routers, RFID technology, cable modems, Microsoft Windows operating systems, and global-positioning systems. This broad technical background supports engagements in high-tech patent disputes.

The practice shows a leaning toward plaintiff-side representation. While Stephen F. Schlather has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, he notes that "the majority of his cases are contingent-fee cases," often indicative of plaintiff-side work. The firm's sole tracked appearance is on the plaintiff side, serving as local counsel for Atlas Global Technologies LLC, a recognized Patent Assertion Entity (NPE), in a patent infringement case against Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company.

A notable tracked engagement is Atlas Global Technologies LLC v. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, filed on May 16, 2025, in the Texas Eastern District Court, involving Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard features. While specific outcomes for this case are still developing, Stephen F. Schlather's professional profile highlights prior successes, including obtaining a seven-figure settlement in an RFID technology lawsuit, a favorable settlement in a GPS technology case, and securing a jury verdict of infringement and validity that resulted in a permanent injunction in another patent matter.

Regarding PTAB and IPR practice, the firm does not have publicly reported data for a significant volume of filing or defense of such proceedings by Edmonds & Schlather, PLLC. However, in the Atlas Global Technologies LLC matter, a related patent (U.S. Patent 10,348,471), asserted by the firm's client, faced an ex parte reexamination request by Unified Patents, which the Central Reexamination Unit granted due to substantial new questions of patentability. Firm shareholder John J. Edmonds also lists inter partes review among his areas of experience.

Stephen F. Schlather is a key partner in the patent litigation practice, bringing over two decades of litigation experience and registration as a patent attorney. John J. Edmonds, another shareholder, also contributes significantly to the firm's intellectual property litigation capabilities, including patent litigation and appeals.