McKool Smith Named Top IP Litigation Firm in Texas
The firm earned the honor following high-stakes verdicts and global licensing wins in consumer electronics.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
Texas Lawyer recognized the firm McKool Smith as the Intellectual Property Litigation Department of the Year. The award follows a series of significant wins, including a $192 million wireless charging patent verdict against Samsung.
Why it matters
This recognition highlights the critical role of intellectual property litigation in shaping the competitive landscape of the consumer electronics industry. Successes in these high-stakes disputes, often litigated in venues like the Eastern District of Texas, dictate long-term market access and licensing strategy for major hardware manufacturers.
The firm secured a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility regarding wireless charging patents, which the court held in full at final judgment.
The players
McKool Smith
A law firm with a national practice focused on complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and patent enforcement.
Samsung
A global electronics conglomerate specializing in semiconductors, mobile devices, and display technologies.
Nokia
A telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics corporation that maintains a substantial patent portfolio.
Steve Pollinger
A lead counsel at McKool Smith known for managing high-stakes intellectual property and patent litigation.
Jennifer Truelove
A co-lead trial counsel at McKool Smith who specialized in willful infringement cases involving display technology.
The details
McKool Smith utilized specialized legal strategies to secure wins in complex, high-stakes IP disputes. These proceedings included a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung and a representation of Nokia in a campaign before the U.S. International Trade Commission — a federal agency that adjudicates trade disputes and intellectual property violations. These efforts spanned diverse technologies, from wireless charging mechanisms to display innovations.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Winners celebrated at the awards ceremony in Dallas.
October 1, 2026: Public announcement of the award.
The Tech Race
This award reflects the firm's success in high-stakes intellectual property litigation within the 2026 Texas Legal Awards framework. The recognition underscores the escalating complexity of the legal strategies used to defend or assert patent rights in the consumer electronics market.
For readers in Dallas and the broader legal community, this award signals which firms currently lead in navigating complex patent disputes. These outcomes directly influence which display and wireless charging technologies reach the market and how they are licensed by hardware manufacturers.
The takeaway
This recognition confirms the firm's efficacy in high-stakes intellectual property disputes that define the consumer electronics sector. Observers should monitor future filings in the Eastern District of Texas to identify the next set of patent challenges targeting mobile and wireless technology.
Further reading
For more on the legal and competitive dynamics shaping the hardware market, visit Consumer Electronics.
