August 14, 2019
Eric S. Schlichter has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in Houston, bringing nearly two decades of experience litigating patent infringement and trade secret cases for clients in the oil and gas and technology industries.
Schlichter has served as lead counsel in numerous cases involving oil and gas drilling technology and environmental protection equipment, as well as matters dealing with consumer electronics and e-commerce. He also counsels clients on intellectual property enforcement and procurement, litigation strategy, and due diligence investigation for acquisitions and divestitures. He has extensive experience in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, among the country’s busiest venues for patent litigation.
“Eric is highly respected by clients in the energy and technology sectors for his ability to guide clients through complex patent disputes,” said David Finkelson, chair of McGuireWoods’ Intellectual Property Litigation Department.
In addition to his litigation work, Schlichter for the past five years has authored the annual updates of Thomson Reuters’ Employee Noncompetition Law treatise, which covers statutory and common law rules, major issues and practical considerations of employee restrictive agreements, including those related to intellectual property. He joins McGuireWoods from Winston & Strawn in Houston.
“Our oil and gas clients will benefit immensely from Eric’s industry knowledge and his in-depth understanding of IP and patent issues in this highly competitive market,”
said Ryan Purpura, leader of the firm’s energy industry team, which includes more than 200 lawyers who work across all industry sectors.
McGuireWoods was among an exclusive group of law firms named to BTI Consulting Group’s “Power Elite” recognizing firms with the strongest client relationships. Corporate counsel identified McGuireWoods as a core firm in 11 industries, including energy. The firm earned a “standout” rating for IP litigation in the 2019 edition of BTI Litigation Outlook based on feedback from corporate counsel.
“Eric’s oil and gas industry focus aligns perfectly with our strengths in Houston,” said Jay Hughes, managing partner of the firm’s Houston office. “As McGuireWoods continues to execute on its growth strategy and commitment in Texas, Eric is an important addition.”
McGuireWoods’ intellectual property practice represents clients from virtually every sector of the global economy, providing comprehensive solutions to help individuals and companies develop and protect creative, technological and business innovations.
“McGuireWoods has built a powerhouse litigation practice that stands apart with its industry-focused approach to client service,” Schlichter said. “The firm has a stellar reputation in high-stakes IP and patent litigation matters and I am excited for the opportunity to grow my practice here.”