Counsel registry

Ward, Smith & Hill

116 case appearances — 101 as plaintiff counsel · 15 as defendant counsel.

Firm overview

Firm Summary: Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC

Date: 2026-04-30

Based in Longview, Texas, Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC was a well-regarded litigation boutique with a national reputation for trial work, particularly in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The firm handled high-stakes, complex litigation, with a significant focus on intellectual property law. Notably, the firm's founding partners Johnny Ward, Bruce Smith, and Wesley Hill concluded their full-time trial practices, leading to the firm's renaming to Miller Fair Henry PLLC. Key legal figures, including former U.S. District Judge T. John Ward, remain associated with the successor firm as of counsel.

The firm was recognized as a powerhouse in patent litigation, frequently serving as local or lead counsel for plaintiffs in the Eastern District of Texas. The authoritative case list shows the firm acting as local counsel for plaintiffs. This plaintiff-side focus is further evidenced by numerous high-value verdicts secured for patent holders against major technology and pharmaceutical companies. The firm's IP practice spans a range of technologies, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, software, and consumer electronics, as demonstrated by their representation of clients like Seagen Inc. in a case concerning cancer treatment patents and KPN N.V. in a dispute over telecommunications infrastructure.

Ward, Smith & Hill was known for securing significant courtroom victories. In 2022, the firm obtained two of the largest IP verdicts in Texas: a $41.8 million verdict for Seagen Inc. against Daiichi Sankyo Co. and a $31.5 million verdict for KPN N.V. against Ericsson. The firm also served as local counsel in a trial that resulted in a $502.8 million patent infringement win for VirnetX against Apple Inc. and a $62.7 million award for Solas OLED Ltd. against Samsung. Attorneys at the firm, then known as Miller Fair Henry, were also instrumental in securing a $166.3 million jury verdict for Finesse Wireless against AT&T in 2023, which related to 4G/LTE and 5G wireless network technology.

The firm's patent litigation practice was led by highly-regarded trial lawyers. Key partners included J. Wesley Hill and T. John "Johnny" Ward, Jr. The firm's legacy is deeply connected to former U.S. District Judge T. John Ward, who, after retiring from the bench, joined the firm as of counsel and focused on patent and complex commercial cases. Wesley Hill, a former clerk for Judge Ward, has been counsel in over 1,100 cases and has tried more than 30 cases to verdict. While the firm's principals have transitioned their practices toward mediation and consulting, their reputation was built on district court trial work. A significant practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is not noted in public sources.

Attorneys

Roles

local counsel83
Local Counsel55
Of Counsel19
of counsel15
lead counsel11
Lead Counsel7
Partner7
counsel4
Counsel4
trial counsel4
attorney for plaintiff3
local counsel / co-counsel3
lead or co-lead trial counsel2
Local Counsel / Trial Attorney2
Name Partner2
Of Counsel / Local Counsel1
Attorney1
of counsel, local counsel1
Local Counsel / Lead Counsel1
Partner, likely Lead/Trial Counsel1
Local Counsel/Trial Team1
of counsel / local counsel1

Cases (116)

Δ defendant3D Surfaces LLC v. Dell Technologies, Inc. et al.Charles Everingham IV · local counsel
π plaintiffABC IP, LLC et al. v. MaRs Trigger, LLC et al.T. John Ward · lead counsel
π plaintiffAlpha Modus Corp. v. Best Buy Co., Inc.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffAlpha Modus Corp. v. Mood Media, LLCT. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffAlpha Modus, Corp. v. Buc-ee's, Ltd.T. John Ward Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffAlpha Modus, Corp. v. Circle KT. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffAlpha Modus, Corp. v. The Kroger Co.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffArlington Technologies, LLC v. Comcast Cable Communications, LLCT. John Ward, Jr. · lead counsel
π plaintiffAthena Security, LLP v. Cisco Systems, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffAtlas Global Technologies LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc. et al.J. Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffAtlas Global Technologies LLC v. CommScope, Inc. et al.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffAtlas Global Technologies LLC v. TP-Link Corporation Limited et al.Johnny Ward · local counsel
Δ defendantAtlas Global Technologies LLC v. Valve CorporationJ. M. "Johnny" Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffAtlas Global Technologies, LLC v. Dell Technologies, Inc. et al.Johnny Ward · Lead Counsel
Δ defendantAutoConnect Holdings LLC v. General Motors CompanyT. John Ward Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffAutonavigare LLC v. Toyota Motor Corporation et al.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffBishop Display Tech LLC v. LG Display Co., Ltd. et al.Wesley Hill · local counsel
Δ defendantBSH Home Appliances Corporation v. Whirlpool CorporationJohnny Ward · lead counsel
π plaintiffBunker Hill Technologies LLC v. Toyota Motor North America Inc. et al.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffCardWare Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel / Lead Counsel
π plaintiffCedarwood Ventures Inc v. Apple IncJ. Wesley Hill · lead counsel
π plaintiffCloud Byte LLC v. Dell Inc. et al.Claire Abernathy Henry · local counsel
π plaintiffCobblestone Wireless LLC v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc. et al.Andrea Fair · local counsel
π plaintiffContentNexus LLC v. JustWatch GMBHT. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffContentNexus LLC v. Konka Group Co LtdT. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffCyberfone Systems, LLC v. The Charles Schwab CorporationT. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffDatacloud Technologies LLC v. Intuit Inc.T. John "Johnny" Ward Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffDataTreasury Corporation v. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffDisintermediation Services, Inc. v. The Kroger Co. et al.Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffEgla Corp v. Mood Media LLC et al.Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffEXPRESS MOBILE, INC. v. YETI Coolers, LLCWesley Hill · local counsel
Δ defendantFast IP, LLC et al. v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc.John T. "Johnny" Ward, Jr. · local counsel
Δ defendantFedEx Corporation et al. v. Valtrus Innovations Ltd.Joshua J. Reed · local counsel
π plaintiffFleet Connect Solutions LLC v. Stellantis N.V.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffFleet Connect Solutions LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffForce MOS Technology v. ASUSTek Computer, Inc. et al.J. Wesley Hill · Counsel
π plaintiffFractus, S.A. v. TCL Communication Technology Holdings, Ltd. et al.Johnny Ward · local counsel
Δ defendantFreedom Patents, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffGranite Vehicle Ventures LLC v. Tesla, Inc.Andrea Leigh Fair · local counsel
Δ defendantGREE, Inc. v. Supercell OyT. John Ward, Jr. · of counsel / local counsel
π plaintiffGreenthread LLC v. Texas Instruments IncorporatedJohnny Ward · Partner
π plaintiffGreenthread, LLC v. OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Jack Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
Δ defendantGreenthread, LLC v. Texas Instruments IncorporatedJack Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffHeadwater Research LLC v. Charter Communications, Inc.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffHeadwater Research LLC v. Supercell OyWesley Hill · Lead Counsel
π plaintiffHeadwater Research LLC v. Supercell OyJohnny Ward · of counsel
π plaintiffHFT Solutions LLC v. Optiver US LLCWesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffIn re: Rare Breed Triggers Patent LitigationT. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffInnovative Display Technologies LLC v. Canon U.S.A. Inc.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffInnovative Display Technologies LLC v. MiTAC Digital CorporationThomas J. Ward, Jr. · lead counsel
π plaintiffInnovative Display Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc.Claire Abernathy Henry · Local Counsel
π plaintiffIOT Innovations LLC v. Fortinet, Inc.Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffK. Mizra LLC v. Fortinet, Inc.Claire Abernathy Henry · local counsel
π plaintiffK. Mizra LLC v. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.Claire Abernathy Henry · Counsel
π plaintiffLight Guide Innovations LLC v. Walmart Inc.Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffLone Star SCM Systems, LP v. Cardinal Health, Inc.Wesley E. Hill · Lead Counsel
π plaintiffMarshall Feature Recognition, LLC et al. v. Apple Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · Lead Counsel
π plaintiffMarshall Feature Recognition, LLC et al. v. Barnes & Noble, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · lead or co-lead trial counsel
π plaintiffModulus Systems LLC v. Loytec Electronics GMBHJ. Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffMonticello Enterprises LLC v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffNetwork-1 Technologies, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffNintendo Co., Ltd. et al. v. Resonant Systems Inc.Wesley Hill · lead counsel
Δ defendantOmni MedSci, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd. et al.Johnny Ward · of counsel
π plaintiffOne-E-Way, Inc. v. Dell Technologies Inc. et al.Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffOptimnet LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffOptis Wireless Technology, LLC et al. v. Apple Inc.J. Michael J. Jones · Partner
π plaintiffOrthosie Systems, LLC v. Mack Trucks, Inc.Thomas John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffOrthosie Systems, LLC v. Track Your Truck, Inc.J. Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffParkerVision, Inc. v. NXP Semiconductors N.V. et al.Robert E. Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffPhenix Longhorn, LLC v. Innolux CorporationD. Scot Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffPiney Woods Mobility LLC v. Verizon Communications, Inc.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffPortus Singapore Pte Ltd. v. AXP Group (Vivint)J. Wesley Hill · local counsel
Δ defendantPROFRAC SERVICES, LLC et al. v. LIBERTY ENERGY SERVICES, LLC et al.Thomas E. Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffRadiant Patents LLC v. Nokia Corporation et al.T. John Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffRFCyber Corp. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.Johnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffSamsung Electronics America Inc. et al. v. Topwire LLCT. John Ward · local counsel
Δ defendantSandpiper CDN, LLC v. Comcast Cable Communications, LLC d/b/a Xfinity et al.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffStingray IP Solutions LLC v. Assa Abloy IP ABJack Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffStingray IP Solutions LLC v. Unknown DefendantJ. Wesley Hill · local counsel
Δ defendantTQP Development, LLC v. Callidus Software, Inc.Wesley Hill · Local Counsel
π plaintiffTurboCode LLC v. Dell Technologies Inc. et alT. John Ward, Jr. · lead counsel
π plaintiffUniloc Luxembourg S.A. v. Mojang ABT. John Ward Jr.
π plaintiffUniloc Luxembourg S.A. v. Twitter, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
Δ defendantUniloc USA, Inc. et al. v. Electronic Arts, Inc.Claire Abernathy Henry · local counsel
π plaintiffUniloc USA, Inc. et al. v. Kaspersky Lab, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffUniloc USA, Inc. v. Adobe Systems Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffUniloc USA, Inc. v. Electronic Arts Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffUniloc USA, Inc. v. Ubisoft, Inc.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJ. Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseT. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · Local Counsel / Trial Attorney
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseCharles Everingham IV · attorney for plaintiff
π plaintiffUntitled caseDarrell G. Dotson · Local Counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · Lead Counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseWesley Hill · trial counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseAndrea Leigh Fair · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · Local Counsel/Trial Team
π plaintiffUntitled caseJohnny Ward · local counsel / co-counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseThomas John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseSam Baxter · Local Counsel
π plaintiffUntitled caseMarlin R. Smith, Jr. · Of Counsel
Δ defendantUntitled caseWesley W. Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffValtrus Innovations Ltd. et al. v. FedEx Corporation et al.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffVB Assets, LLC v. General Motors Holdings LLCJohnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffVB Assets, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.T. John Ward, Jr. · Local Counsel
π plaintiffVirnetX Inc. v. Apple Inc.John F. "Johnny" Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffVirtaMove Corp. v. Hewlett Packard EnterpriseAndrea Leigh Fair · local counsel
π plaintiffVision Works IP Corp. v. Tesla, Inc.J. Wesley Hill · local counsel
π plaintiffWapp Tech Limited Partnership et al. v. Apple Inc.Johnny Ward · Name Partner
π plaintiffWI-LAN Inc. et al. v. Toyota Motor Corporation et al.Johnny Ward · Local Counsel
π plaintiffWirelesswerx IP LLC v. VerizonAndrea Fair · Partner, likely Lead/Trial Counsel
π plaintiffX One Inc v. Neighborfavor Inc et al.T. John Ward, Jr. · local counsel
π plaintiffXifi Networks R&D, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.T. John Ward · of counsel, local counsel