Bloomberg Law Q&A with Finnegan IP Lawyer Christian Hurt

Christian Hurt joined Finnegan from McKool Smith, where he helped lead a successful defense for AT&T and Verizon in a patent infringement dispute. He sat down with Bloomberg Law to discuss his transition to Finnegan. See the Q&A below.

What’s an emerging law industry trend you’re watching?

The changes in the patent office during the current administration have swung the pendulum back toward patent owners a little bit. It has taken a risk that would cut the value of the case at least in half, and has largely gotten rid of that risk. It’ll be interesting to see with the new director if it changes, and how.

In Texas, it’ll be interesting to see how filings shift now that Judge Albright has retired. My suspicion is that — and we’ve seen some of it — is that people will try to get, and are getting, more cases in the Eastern District.

What’s a game-changing lawsuit you’re watching in state or federal court?

There are challenges to the discretionary denial practice working their way through the court system right now. They are pending at the Supreme Court at the petition for cert stage. The main one is  Intel v. Squires.

What’s most challenging about practicing law in Texas right now?

I don’t think anyone knows yet what the impact of AI is going to be on legal practice. You’ve seen all of these cases where lawyers get in trouble for signing pleadings that may have had errors because the briefs were AI-generated. The [other big question] is how AI changes litigation practice. Is it going to change the way law firms charge for services? How do associates get trained if they don’t have to go through the process?

I think what it’ll end up doing is putting a premium on stuff that AI can’t do, like being able to speak in court and being able to deal with clients.

Read “Bloomberg Law Q&A with Finnegan IP Lawyer Christian Hurt”