Siebman, Forrest, Burg & Smith

Siebman, Forrest, Burg & Smith, also referred to as Siebman Law, LLP, is a Texas-based litigation boutique with offices in Sherman, Plano, Dallas, Marshall, Tyler, and Lufkin. Established in 1991, the firm is noted for its deep experience in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas, having been recognized on the "Best Law Firms" list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, including a Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking in Dallas/Fort Worth for patent, copyright, and commercial litigation.

The firm's intellectual property litigation practice encompasses patents, trademarks, trade secrets, cyber and computer fraud, and copyrights. While their case experience spans various technological areas, including disputes related to entities like Valtrus Innovations, Marlin Semiconductor, and DataTreasury Corporation, the firm emphasizes its broad capability in complex IP and commercial litigation. Siebman, Forrest, Burg & Smith actively works both sides of patent disputes, representing both intellectual property owners and accused infringers, often serving as lead trial counsel or as "go-to" Texas counsel for national trial teams and major corporations. Its tracked case history shows a slight leaning towards defendant-side appearances (5 defendant, 3 plaintiff).

Siebman, Forrest, Burg & Smith attorneys have a substantial record in Texas federal courts, with firm attorneys having served as counsel in over 1,000 cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. A notable aspect of their practice is handling complex civil matters, including patent litigation, which often requires significant local court insight. While explicit public reporting on their PTAB/IPR volume is not available, the firm's representation in a petitioner-side IPR proceeding (Petitioner v. Marlin Semiconductor Ltd.) suggests active engagement in post-grant review challenges.

Key to the firm's patent litigation practice is Michael C. Smith, who leads the Marshall office and has appeared as counsel of record in over 900 civil cases in the Eastern District of Texas. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer for intellectual property litigation since 2008, Mr. Smith is also a frequent author and speaker on patent litigation and federal court practice. The late Clyde M. Siebman, a co-founder, was also a highly regarded patent litigator, recognized as the Dallas/Fort Worth Lawyer of the Year for patent litigation in previous years.