Alan D Albright
Image of Alan Albright

Alan D Albright

Partner

Alan specializes in intellectual property litigation.

One of the nation’s premier IP lawyers, Alan served for eight years as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, which became the busiest court for patent litigation in the United States, handling roughly one quarter of all federal patent cases in the country.

Alan’s unparalleled experience presiding over one of the nation’s most active patent dockets—encompassing patent case management, claim construction, discovery disputes, and trial procedures—provides a distinct advantage in advising clients navigating complex patent disputes.

Over the course of his career, Alan has handled complex disputes involving software, semiconductors, telecommunications, consumer electronics and other technologies.

Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Alan practiced as an IP litigator, including as a law firm partner for almost two decades, representing a broad range of corporate clients. He served as lead counsel in 15 complex patent cases that were litigated to verdict, judgment or final decision, including in technology and biotechnology. As a judge, his patent-specific experience includes handling over 3,000 cases involving 2,500 asserted patents, over 50 jury trials and eight bench trials.

Alan has also presided over, and handled, countless complex commercial litigation cases, including class action certifications, tax-, consumer-protection- and bankruptcy-related matters, contract disputes, investment fraud and civil rights cases. He is widely recognized for his innovative case management practices that have earned him recognition from patent litigators on both sides of the bar.

Alan is a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

Expertise

Industries

Published Work

  • Featured, “Judicial Profile: Hon. Alan D. Albright, District Judge, Western District of Texas,” The Federal Lawyer (September/October 2020)
  • Featured, “Interview: Alan Albright, The Listening Judge,” Managing Intellectual Property (October 28, 2019)

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Fireside Talk with Lone Star Maverick Judge Alan D. Albright,” Licensing Executives Society of USA & Canada (2026)
  • Speaker, “Fireside Chat with Judge Albright,” CIC Tokyo (2023)
  • Speaker, “Ronald M. Whyte Intellectual Property Seminar,” UC Berkeley Law
  • Speaker, “Best Practices for Managing Patent Litigation: An Illustrious Panel of District Court Judges Discuss Likes, Dislikes, and the Management of Patent Litigation,” Stanford Law School Practicalities of Modern Patent Litigation Conference (2021)
  • Speaker, “Patent Litigation in the Western District of Texas: An Afternoon Discussion with Judge Alan Albright and a New Take on Patent Case Procedures,” The Federalist Society (2020)

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Member of the American Law Institute
  • Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates

Awards

  • Chambers USA, Intellectual Property (2010–2012, 2016–2018)
  • IAM Patent 1000, (2011–2013, 2015–2017)
  • The Best Lawyers in America for Patent Litigation and Intellectual Property Law (multiple years)
  • Texas Super Lawyers (2006–2017)

Qualifications

Admissions

Attorney-at-Law, Texas, 1984

Academic

J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1984, member, Texas Law Review

B.A., Trinity University, 1981, with honors

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.