Sidley Austin

Sidley Austin LLP: Patent Litigation Summary

Prepared: May 1, 2026

Sidley Austin LLP is a major "BigLaw" firm with a substantial global presence and a highly regarded patent litigation practice. Founded in Chicago in 1866, the firm now has approximately 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices worldwide, including key U.S. markets like New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Palo Alto. Sidley is consistently ranked among the top law firms by revenue and prestige, recognized as the 6th largest firm by The American Lawyer in its 2025 AmLaw 100 report and frequently listed in the top tiers of legal directories like Chambers and Vault. Its intellectual property group is noted by Chambers USA for its seasoned trial lawyers and strength in high-value patent disputes.

The firm's patent litigation practice is known for handling complex, high-stakes disputes across a broad spectrum of technologies. With over 100 lawyers actively involved in patent litigation, the practice combines the focus of an IP boutique with the resources of a global firm. Sidley has extensive experience in sectors such as life sciences (including pharmaceuticals and medical devices), technology (including semiconductors, software, and telecommunications), and electronics. Chambers highlights the firm's work for brand-name pharmaceutical companies in Hatch-Waxman cases and its representation of major technology companies in disputes involving standard-essential patents (SEPs) and FRAND licensing issues. The provided case list shows the firm representing plaintiff Health Care Service Corp, which aligns with its experience in the healthcare sector.

Based on the single tracked case where the firm represents the plaintiff, it is difficult to definitively state a side preference. However, the firm's public statements and industry recognition indicate a broad practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants, including some of the largest multinational corporations. The firm’s work for clients like Microsoft and Illumina in defensive postures, as noted in industry publications, suggests a significant practice defending operating companies against infringement claims.

Sidley has a strong record at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), having appeared in over 400 proceedings since 2013. This robust PTAB practice is a key component of its overall patent litigation strategy, with publications noting its experience in inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings. The firm also has a distinguished appellate practice, frequently arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court. A landmark example is its successful representation of eBay in eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, which established the current standard for issuing permanent injunctions in patent cases. The tracked case, Health Care Service Corp v. OL Security LLC et al., is a declaratory judgment action, indicating a proactive, plaintiff-side strategy for an operating company. Key partners in the IP litigation practice include David T. Pritikin, who was listed as lead counsel in the tracked case, Ching-Lee Fukuda, and Stephanie Koh, who are co-leaders of the global IP litigation group.