Microsoft’s chief patent counsel joins Shook Hardy

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Microsoft’s chief patent counsel joins Shook Hardy

eppenauer.jpg

Microsoft’s former chief patent counsel Bart Eppenauer has joined Shook Hardy & Bacon and will open the firm’s new Seattle office.

Eppenauer, who spent a decade at Microsoft and was based at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, joins Shook Hardy as a partner. Before joining Microsoft, he spent three years as an associate in Shook Hardy’s intellectual property department.

The office will open on December 1 2013, and Eppenauer will serve as its managing partner. He will initially be the only lawyer at Shook Hardy’s Seattle office, but the firm expects to expand the practice there.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

News of Nokia signing a licensing deal with a Chinese automaker and Linklaters appointing a new head of tech and IP were also among the top talking points
After five IP partners left the firm for White & Case, the IP market could yet see more laterals
The court plans to introduce a system for expert-led SEP mediation, intended to help parties come to an agreement within three sessions
Paul Chapman and Robert Lind, who are retiring from Marks & Clerk after 30-year careers, discuss workplace loyalty, client care, and why we should be optimistic but cautious about AI
Brantsandpatents is seeking to boost its expertise across key IP services in the Benelux region
Shwetasree Majumder, managing partner of Fidus Law Chambers, discusses fighting gender bias and why her firm is building a strong AI and tech expertise
Hady Khawand, founder of AÏP Genius, discusses creating an AI-powered IP platform, and why, with the law evolving faster than ever, adaptability is key
UK firm Shakespeare Martineau, which secured victory for the Triton shower brand at the Court of Appeal, explains how it navigated a tricky test regarding patent claim scopes
The firm’s managing partner said the city is an ‘exciting hub of ideas and innovation’
In our latest podcast, Deborah Hampton talks through her hopes for the year, INTA’s patent focus, London 2026, and her love of music
Gift this article