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Bijal Vakil

Partner

Email

bijal.vakil@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 650 388 1703

Offices

Silicon Valley

San Francisco

Links

Twitter

LinkedIn

V-CARD
Bijal Vakil is an accomplished powerhouse in high-stakes technology litigation, wielding his extensive trial experience and a track record of over 500 patent, copyright, trade secret, and trademark disputes to secure unmatched results. As a strategic and indispensable business partner for companies at the forefront of technological innovation, he relentlessly drives success for both publicly traded and venture-backed companies. His expertise and aggressive approach make him an invaluable partner in the fiercely competitive tech industry.

Bijal’s expertise covers a broad spectrum of technologies, such as computer software, AI, fintech, blockchain, semiconductors, drones, e-commerce, social media, payments, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, telecommunications, video games, medical devices, and blockchain technology in cryptocurrency. He has led teams in hundreds of contentious patent matters and major trade secrets disputes, as well as in complex technology transactions and cross-border deals. IAM has described his practice as “an IP boutique within a global firm,” attracting globally recognized clients seeking decisive results in large-scale mandates.

Bijal’s unique skill set has earned him a place on various court committees in the United States District Court, Northern District of California. His roles include Co-Chair of the Lawyer’s Representative Committee, Chair of two Magistrate Judge Selection Committees, Member of the Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee, and Mediator for the Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Bijal also led the opening of Allen & Overy’s San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices along with the formation of its first 300 lawyer Global Technology Industry Group (served as co-chair from 2021-2024). Firm management also selected him to serve on the Global Partnership Selection Committee.

In 2024, Bijal was named one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists by IAM Strategy 300. He is also recognized by Chambers & Partners USA 2023 for Patent Litigation. A client remarked in IAM Strategy 300, “Bijal Vakil is one of those rare lawyers who sees the big picture, understands business goals, and executes litigation strategy flawlessly. His passion for innovation, well-rounded advice, and experience handling high-stakes disputes make him a litigation legend.”

Bijal leads several efforts focused on mentorship and promoting diversity within the legal profession including past senior leadership positions with the Asian Law Alliance, National Asian Pacific Bar Association, Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley, the NAPABA Law Foundation, and the South Asian Bar Association. His active involvement with several Asian Pacific legal associations has garnered him accolades from both legal and business communities. He has received awards from the National Asian Pacific Bar Association (Best Under 40) and the Silicon Valley Business Journal (Best Under 40) for his legal acumen and community involvement.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Obtained significant jury trial wins in a patent infringement case against a competitor. After achieving a complete win in the initial trial, an exceedingly rare permanent injunction was granted in the subsequent jury trial, effectively ceasing the sales of the implicated automotive safety products in the U.S. Following months of briefing, the Federal Circuit maintained the permanent injunction.
  • Represented the company in patent infringement claims in the ITC and the Central District of California. Successfully obtained summary judgment on § 101 grounds in a patent infringement matter involving a method and system of requesting and retrieving information over the internet from software running on multiple computers. Also obtained a dismissal with prejudice for the client in another matter. 
  • Successfully defended in a district court litigation and as a petitioner in nine inter partes review ("IPR") proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board challenging the validity of eight patents, and over 100 claims. Final decisions in all IPR proceedings held all claims unpatentable, resulting in a dismissal of the underlying litigation and a complete victory for the client. 
  • Successfully defended as petitioner in 27 IPR proceedings that challenged the validity of 275 claims of seven patents. Final decisions in all proceedings held all claims unpatentable and resulted in a dismissal of the underlying litigation and a complete victory for the client.
  • A major global technology company. Represented the company in patent litigations involving six patents related to improvements in wireless charging of mobile devices. Resulted in a favorable settlement for our client. 
  • An international manufacturer of computer hardware. Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement and achieved dismissal of three separate patent lawsuits alleging infringement of patents related to display technology used in laptop computers and monitors.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Board Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation
  • Member, University of California, Los Angeles, Venture Capital Fund
  • Lecturer, Intellectual Property Litigation, School of Law, University of California, Davis
  • Co-Chair, Bay Area Benefit: Courage Under Fire, Tahirih Justice Center
  • Advisory Counsel, Asia Pacific Fund
  • Mediator, Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • Nominating and Elections Committee, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Committee Member, Sedona Conference – Intellectual Property Working Group
  • Co-Chair of the Lawyer’s Representative Committee, United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • Chair of two Magistrate Judge Selection Committees, United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • Member of Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee, United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • Judicial Endorsements Committee, South Asian Bar Association of North America
  • President, Board Member, Strategy Advisory Committee
  • Member, Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley
  • Member, Alumni Board of Directors, School of Law, University of California, Davis
  • Board Member, Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California
  • President/Vice-President/Secretary, Asian Law Alliance
  • Co-chair/member, Northern District of California, Ninth Circuit Judicial Council
  • Executive Committee (Secretary), Regional Governor, Board Member-at-Large, National Asian Pacific Bar Association 

Recognition

“Bijal has his finger on the pulse of so many technology trends and his client service makes five-star hotels look slow. Frequently called upon by leading tech-sector companies to litigate complex patent disputes and perfectly understands the needs of his clients. ”
Chambers USA
“A really good strategic lawyer, [he] builds cases brilliantly and is able to spot and exploit the weaknesses in opponents' positions.”
IAM Patent 1000

Awards

  • Patent Star, Managing IP, 2017-2023 
  • IP: Patent Litigation, California, Band 5, Chambers USA, 2022-2023 
  • IAM Strategy 300 Global, World's Leading IP Strategists, Intellectual Asset Management (IAM), 2019-2023 
  • IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders, Intellectual Asset Management (IAM), 2024
  • US: California, Bronze (Litigation), IAM Patent, 2023 
  • 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2022-2025 

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2024 

Admitted: State Bar of California

US District Court for the Central District of California 

US District Court for the Northern District of California 

US District Court for the Eastern District of California 

US District Court for the Southern District of California 

US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 

US District Court for the Western District of Texas 

US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 

US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 

US Supreme Court
 

Academic

JD, University of California, Davis

BA, University of California, Los Angeles

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Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.