Experienced in every aspect of patent licensing and portfolio management matters, Kirkland & Ellis LLP draws on both its attorney experience and practice before the Unites States Patent and Trademark Office to represent both patent licensors and licensees in agreements, including in the context of patent litigation settlements. Adept in a broad range of technical disciplines, clients are from life science, engineering, tech and environmental industries. Chicago-based lawyer Seth Traxler heads the tech and IP transactions practice, often serving as lead counsel to negotiate complex and strategic deals involving tech assets. New York’s David MacDonald is well vested in advising on IP transactions for pharma and biotech companies. In Chicago, Russell Levine, specializes in dispute resolution, with a pipeline in patent infringement matters involving tech transfer and patent license agreements. New York’s Shellie Freedman leverages her background in life sciences to advise on complex transactions involving tech and IP. Laila Pastzi and Lisa Samenfeld departed in 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
- Social
Key clients
- Moderna
- Eli Lilly & Company
- Palo Alto Networks
- Open Invention Network
- Purple Innovation LLC
- TP-Link Systems Inc.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
- Advised Palo Alto Networks, global cybersecurity company, on a broad-reaching partnership with IBM that will deliver AI-powered security outcomes to customers
- Advised TP-Link Systems Inc. in a settlement of the company’s patent and contract litigation with Netgear Inc.
- Advised Eli Lilly on its licensing agreement with OpenAI to leverage generative AI in developing new treatments to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Other key lawyers
Seth Traxler; David MacDonald; Russell Levine; Shellie Freedman