Texas firm Jackson Walker announced yesterday that it will open a Texarkana office to be led by David Folsom, former chief judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Folsom retired in March this year after 17 years in the district. He has conducted over 250 trials, presided over hundreds of patent cases, and held approximately 75 claim construction hearings.
In May of last year, Judge T John Ward, who created the specialised patent rules that helped to make the Eastern District of Texas a preferred venue for patent cases, retired to join Ward & Smith in Longview, Texas.
Jackson Walker said it hired Folsom due to its high level of activity in the Eastern District.
The departures of Folsom and Ward have led to recent speculation that the district might become less favourable for patent cases. In addition to uncertainty about decisions without two of its most popular judges, the venue has been suffering from increased timelines and caseloads.
Folsom will be involved with IP litigation matters at Jackson Walker, both in and out of the Eastern District. His practice will also include conducting mediations and arbitrations, with a primary focus on mediating patent cases.