HOUSTON and SAN FRANCISCO, February 7, 2024 – Baker Botts L.L.P., a leading international energy, technology and life sciences law firm, announced today that prominent patent litigators Robert Benson and Jeffrey Johnson have joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Department in the San Francisco and Houston offices, respectively, as partners.

Benson, who is ranked in Chambers Global, has deep experience handling a wide range of commercial and intellectual property litigation in federal and state courts. For more than 30 years, he has dedicated himself to helping clients resolve their most challenging legal disputes and prevail in high-stakes patent litigation. He has also obtained injunctive relief, litigated several trials in significant ITC investigations, and regularly appears before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Federal Circuit. His matters have involved technologies that include semiconductors, graphics processing, mobile devices, computer hardware and software, and medical devices, among others. Benson joins Baker Botts from Orrick, where he led the firm’s Taiwan practice.

Johnson, known for extricating clients out of multifaceted litigation with creative settlements, brings diverse patent litigation experience in the technology, energy and life sciences industries that ranges from arguing motions and Markman hearings, to trials. His experience includes managing teams in all phases of litigation. With a doctorate degree in chemistry and engineering and prior work as a scientist, Johnson has a robust understanding of technical issues. Johnson worked closely with Benson representing various clients in the U.S. and Asia.

“Baker Botts is a recognized leader in intellectual property, an area where we continue to see high demand,” said Danny David, Managing Partner of Baker Botts. “Robert and Jeffrey’s stellar reputations in patent litigation in the U.S. and Asia are perfect complements to our global practice, and their arrival will enable us to further expand our intellectual property capabilities worldwide. We are thrilled to welcome them to the firm.”

“Robert and Jeffrey have earned the trust of global corporations, particularly those headquartered in Asia, to navigate the unique issues and claims that arise in multinational litigation and complex disputes,” said Christa Brown-Sanford, Firmwide Chair of Baker Botts’ Intellectual Property Department. “Their technical expertise will be a great addition to our already robust group of patent litigators with science and engineering backgrounds.”

“I am excited to join Baker Botts’ leading Intellectual Property practice,” Benson said. “Baker Botts’ commitment to serving clients in the Asia market, together with its deep technical bench, provides us with an ideal platform for representing our clients based in Taiwan and China and continuing to achieve outstanding results on their behalf.”

“Baker Botts has built a world-class technical and trial-savvy Intellectual Property team,” Johnson said. “Factoring in its commitment to firm culture, innovation, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit, Baker Botts is the perfect home for us and our clients. We are thrilled to join the Baker Botts team.”

Benson earned his J.D. from the University of California’s Berkeley School of Law and a B.S. in Aeronautics from San Jose State University’s School of Engineering. Alongside his full-time legal practice, Benson also started a non-profit that established and operated children’s homes in multiple countries, providing custodial care for more than 200 abandoned and abused children and youth over the past 25 years and supporting them while pursuing a higher education.

Johnson earned his J.D. from the University of Houston, a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from East Texas Baptist University.

Baker Botts was recently named an Intellectual Property Practice Group of the Year by Law360. With over 165 attorneys and patent professionals dedicated to intellectual property in the U.S. and across the globe, the firm has one of the largest and most highly regarded Intellectual Property practices of any general practice law firm.

ABOUT BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
Baker Botts is an international law firm whose lawyers practice throughout a network of offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Since 1840, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit bakerbotts.com.