Slayden Grubert Beard PLLC

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SGB – Lead and Local Counsel for Patent Cases in the Western District of Texas (Austin and Waco)

Slayden Grubert Beard is a trusted partner of clients and law firms involved in patent infringement cases in our home forum, the Waco and Austin Divisions of the Western District of Texas.  We are experienced lead and local counsel, and we welcome the opportunity to help you navigate the unique procedures and personalities of our district.

Below are links to standing orders and local procedures we’ve found helpful in the initial stages of litigation in the Waco and Austin Divisions.  We look forward to working with you the next time you find yourselves in the Western District of Texas.   

Current Standing Order regarding Waco Trials (trials are currently proceeding as scheduled)

Current Standing Order regarding Trials in Other Divisions of the Western District of Texas (all trials are continued through April 30, 2021)

Local Rules for the Western District of Texas

Judge Albright’s Order Governing Proceedings for Patent Cases (OGP Version 3.5) (includes default infringement/invalidity contention deadlines, interim protective order, default discovery limits, and claim construction procedures)

Judge Albright’s Orders Related to Venue and Jurisdiction

Pro Hac Vice and ECF Registration Forms

Judge Albright’s Notice of Readiness (Waco)

Judge Albright’s Form Scheduling Order (Waco)

Judge Albright’s Form Protective Order for Patent Cases

Judge Albright’s Microsoft Excel Scheduling Date Calculator Tool (Waco)

Judge Albright’s Patent Case FAQs (Waco) (includes telephonic hearing procedures for discovery disputes)

SGB Completes Third Jury Trial in Waco

Earlier this month, SGB attorneys Darryl Adams and Brian Banner participated in the firm’s third jury trial before Judge Albright in Waco. All three trials have been huge successes for SGB’s clients.

  • In October 2020, Darryl Adams assisted a team from Oblon McClelland Maier & Neustadt representing defendant Roku in Judge Albright’s first patent jury trial (MV3 Partners LLC v. Roku, Inc., No. 6:16-cv-00308 (W.D. Tex.)). After a five-day trial, the jury returned a complete non-infringement verdict in favor of SGB’s client Roku.
  • In May 2022, Darryl Adams and Tecuan Flores assisted a team including attorneys from Alston & Bird; Marton Ribera Schumann & Chang; and The Dacus Firm representing defendant Redfin in Appliance Computing III, Inc. v. Redfin Corporation, No. 6:20-cv-00376 (W.D. Tex.). After a six-day trial, the jury found all four asserted patents not infringed and invalid — a complete win for SGB’s client Redfin.
  • In June 2022, Darryl Adams and Brian Banner assisted a team from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe representing defendant Microchip in Caddo Systems, Inc. v. Microchip Technology Inc., No. 6:20-cv-00245 (W.D. Tex.). After a five-day trial involving six patents, the jury found infringement but rejected plaintiff’s demand for $30.2 million in damages — awarding only $235,000.

SGB’s extensive experience with the Waco court (as both lead and local counsel) includes these trials, multiple claim construction hearings,  and other ongoing cases for clients including Google, Microchip, Amazon, Redfin, AMD, Zoho, Lightspeed, and REI.  We are familiar with how things work in Waco. We know what to do and not do. And we know who to call with questions. Our deep knowledge of the court’s tendencies and views on patent litigation enables us to develop the most effective litigation strategies and tactics. 

Slayden Grubert Beard PLLC Welcomes Accomplished Patent Trial Lawyer

Slayden Grubert Beard PLLC (SGB) is pleased to announce that Joseph (Joey) Gray has joined the Firm as a shareholder.

Mr. Gray is an accomplished trial lawyer and patent attorney with over 15 years of experience trying bench and jury trials in district courts around the country, at the International Trade Commission, and before the Patent Trial & Appeal Board.  He advises in all areas of intellectual property for clients of all shapes and sizes, from individual inventors and emerging companies to multinational corporations.

Mr. Gray joins SGB from Baker Botts LLP, where he was an intellectual property partner for the past seven years.  “I am delighted to be joining SGB’s first-rate team of IP lawyers, including several former Baker Botts colleagues I highly respect,” said Mr. Gray.  “SGB has found a way to practice IP law in a way that is different and better than large law firms – including being more nimble, flexible, and responsive to client needs.  I’m excited to introduce my clients to the extraordinary talent at SGB, and I look forward to continuing to provide exemplary client service at a substantially reduced cost.”

Mr. Gray earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied in the Engineering Honors Program and graduated with highest honors from the McCombs School of Business.  Mr. Gray also attended The University of Hawaii (Manoa) and The University of Edinburgh (Scotland) during his undergraduate studies. He subsequently attended Stanford Law School, where he graduated with distinction and served as managing editor of the Stanford Journal of Law, Business & Finance.

After completing a clerkship with the Hon. William Wayne Justice of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Mr. Gray began his legal career with Vinson & Elkins before joining Baker Botts in 2011.  Among other awards, Mr. Gray was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America from 2013-2020 and as a Texas Super Lawyer-Rising Star from 2011-2019.