McKool Smith Recognized as Top IP Litigation Department for 2026 by Texas Lawyer

McKool Smith Honored as the 2026 IP "Litigation Department of the Year"

On October 1, 2026, McKool Smith received the prestigious accolade of "Litigation Department of the Year" in the Intellectual Property category at the Texas Legal Awards. This recognition, awarded by Texas Lawyer, highlights the firm's significant role and impact within the Texas legal community, emphasizing their achievements in high-stakes litigations and innovative strategies.

The Texas Legal Awards, an event that celebrates outstanding achievements in the legal field, took place on September 30, 2026, in Dallas. This yearly event aims to honor attorneys and law firms that have demonstrated exceptional skills and influence, making significant contributions to the legal landscape in Texas.

McKool Smith’s recognition is backed by an impressive history of victories in complex intellectual property disputes. Among the notable achievements, Principal Steve Pollinger and Principal Jennifer Truelove played a crucial role in securing a $192 million verdict favoring Mojo Mobility against Samsung, concerning wireless charging patents. This landmark victory was upheld in full during final judgment, showcasing McKool Smith's unwavering commitment to their clients.

In another impressive feat, Jennifer Truelove co-led the counsel on a successful willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung, relating to OLED display patents. Additionally, the firm’s active participation at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) allowed Nokia to secure a global licensing agreement with Hisense, effectively resolving ongoing disputes across various jurisdictions.

The recent results from McKool Smith are compelling, highlighted by Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, recognized as a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for major telecom companies including ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson, and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial. This monumental win defeated claims amounting to $436 million and confirmed that there was no infringement, while nullifying all nine asserted claims against the defendants. The jury also ruled that the plaintiffs had violated their own FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) obligations, a significant victory in the tech-fueled litigation landscape.

Following this crucial win, Warren Lipschitz had previously led similar defenses against Daingean Technologies, successfully mitigating a $245 million demand against T-Mobile down to just $2 million and achieving a no infringement verdict for ATT shortly thereafter. Furthermore, he successfully pursued an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia, which concluded that Amazon had infringed on five out of seven asserted patents, leading to a settlement reached soon after.

With a skilled team of over 130 trial lawyers operating in major cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith is recognized as one of America's leading litigation firms. The firm’s reputation is built on an enviable track record, having secured 18 jury verdicts in nine figures along with 16 verdicts in eight figures; they consistently achieve more selections in VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal's "Top 100 Verdicts" than any other law firm.

McKool Smith's ability to navigate complex legal terrains and achieve favorable outcomes for clients in commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense underscores their status as a formidable player in the legal field. Their recent acknowledgment at the Texas Legal Awards serves not only as a testament to their dedication but also as an inspiration for continued excellence in the ever-evolving legal landscape of Texas.

This recognition marks another chapter in McKool Smith’s illustrious journey, itself a narrative of persistence, innovation, and unparalleled success in the world of intellectual property litigation.