Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP announced today that former U.S. magistrate judge Chad Everingham has joined as a partner in its intellectual property practice in the firm’s newly established office in Longview, Texas. His arrival coincides with that of partner David M. Stein, who joined the firm’s intellectual property practice today in its Downtown Los Angeles office.

Mr. Everingham has had a distinguished career in both public service and private practice. For four years, he served as a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, one of the busiest patent litigation courts in the federal system. Mr. Everingham will advise clients on an array of intellectual property litigation matters, with a particular focus on patent litigation.

Mr. Stein was previously a partner at a large international law firm where he served as the chief operating officer of its East Texas practice group. Mr. Stein has extensive experience litigating patent cases in jurisdictions throughout the country, with a focus on the Eastern District of Texas.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Chad and David to the firm,” stated firm Chairman R. Bruce McLean. “Our clients will benefit greatly from the addition of these talented partners—particularly with their deep experience in critical jurisdictions such as the Eastern District of Texas.”

“The addition of these talented attorneys who have such a deep and impressive set of patent litigation skills is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Steven Zager, who heads Akin Gump’s firmwide intellectual property practice. “Chad literally helped write the book on patent litigation in one of the country’s IP litigation hotspots. Both have intimate familiarity with, and knowledge of, patent litigation that will be a boon not only for our clients, but also for our entire team.”

Added Mr. Everingham, “These are exciting times for me. Akin Gump enjoys an international reputation for excellence in the handling of complex intellectual property matters. I am delighted to team up with such an experienced complement of trial lawyers.”

Chad Everingham

During his tenure on the bench, Mr. Everingham handled over 75 Markman proceedings and tried more than 20 complex patent cases. He presided, with the consent of all parties, over more than 200 civil cases, the vast majority of which were intellectual property disputes involving industries such as medical devices, computer hardware and software, recreational equipment, advanced electronics and semiconductors, automotive and telecommunications. While at the court, Mr. Everingham handled countless issues arising in patent cases and was instrumental in the creation of docket control, discovery and protective order measures designed to facilitate the disposition of complex cases.

“The chance to join one of the country’s top IP litigation practices was a tremendous opportunity that I could not pass up,” Mr. Everingham stated. “I’m looking forward to establishing my practice at Akin Gump and bringing over a decade of experience in patent law to bear on behalf of the firm’s clients.”

Prior to his years of service on the federal bench, Mr. Everingham served from 2000-2007 as the permanent law clerk to the Hon. T. John Ward, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas. Previously, he was an associate at a respected Longview, Texas, firm.

Mr. Everingham received his B.A. cum laude in political science from Stephen F. Austin State University and his J.D. cum laude from Baylor Law School.

David M. Stein

Mr. Stein has been involved in major patent cases involving semiconductor devices and processing, medical devices, sporting goods and various business methods, and has tried numerous cases in jurisdictions throughout the country. He was ranked by The Legal 500 United States (2010) as a leading patent litigation lawyer in the hi-tech, electronics and IT sectors. He has also handled a number of pro bono matters, including several cases involving civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.

“Akin Gump has long been a recognized leader in the intellectual property space, and it’s exciting to join its team of accomplished lawyers,” Mr. Stein remarked, adding, “I’m very much looking forward to the opportunities this move will present to our clients.”

Mr. Stein received his B.A. with honors from Stanford University in 1993 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1996. He is admitted to practice in California and Texas and before the U.S. district courts for the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Central districts of California and the Eastern and Southern districts of Texas. He will practice in the firm’s Los Angeles office, in addition to its Longview, Texas, office

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