Patexia Insight 237: Where Are They Now? Tracking 2024’s Top ITC Attorney Moves and Rising Firms

As Section 337 investigations at the International Trade Commission (ITC) remain a key strategy for companies seeking swift and effective remedies, the demand for experienced ITC counsel continues to grow. In response, law firms are strengthening their ITC capabilities, often by recruiting top legal talent from competitors. This week, we highlight the most notable ITC attorney lateral moves that took place over the past year and spotlight the firms that have seen the most significant growth in their ITC litigation teams.

Earlier this year, in late February, Patexia published its Section 337 ITC Intelligence Report 2025, offering a comprehensive look at ITC litigation trends, top players, and firm strategies. As part of our ongoing analysis, we revisited the 1,000 most active attorneys from that report to examine the most important lateral movements that occurred throughout 2024. By comparing firm affiliations between the 2024 and 2025 editions, we identified 65 attorneys who made strategic transitions across law firms. These moves reveal evolving priorities within the legal industry, particularly the growing demand for experienced ITC counsel. Whether driven by practice expansion or market opportunity, such shifts underscore the continued relevance of Section 337 investigations—and the fierce competition among firms to build top-tier ITC teams.

The table below highlights the top 10 attorney lateral moves in the ITC space during 2024, along with each attorney’s overall activity rank. These moves reflect not only individual career developments but also broader shifts in the competitive landscape of ITC litigation. Our activity ranking is based on each attorney’s involvement in Section 337 investigations over the past six years.

In addition to individual moves, we analyzed the net change at the firm level to better understand hiring trends. By tracking attorney movement among the top 1,000 most active ITC practitioners, we identified the firms that expanded their presence in this competitive space.

Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison (+ 11 net gain): In 2024, Paul Weiss made a notable push into the ITC and patent litigation space, strengthening its bench with key lateral hires from Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Among the most prominent additions were Elizabeth Stotland Weiswasser and Anish R. Desai, both nationally recognized for their work in life sciences and high-tech litigation.

Paul Hastings (+4 net gain): In a strategic move to expand its IP and ITC litigation capabilities, Paul Hastings hired a six-partner intellectual property litigation team from Allen & Overy, now A&O Shearman. With experience representing major tech clients like Google, the group brings deep expertise across key sectors and strengthens Paul Hastings' presence in Washington, D.C., Palo Alto, and New York. This lateral influx reflects the firm’s growing focus on high-stakes patent and Section 337 matters.

Benesch (+3 net gain): ​In 2024, Benesch strategically expanded its intellectual property litigation practice, particularly in Section 337 investigations before the ITC. The firm attracted lateral partners from prominent law firms such as McDermott Will & Emery.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan (+3 net gain): ​In 2024, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan continued to solidify its position as a leading force in patent litigation and International Trade Commission (ITC) proceedings. The firm achieved significant victories in ITC cases during the past year, highlighting the firm's adeptness in handling complex ITC matters and its commitment to delivering favorable outcomes for clients.

As the legal talent market continues to shift, timely and data-driven decisions are more important than ever. Legal Link empowers law firms and attorneys to adapt in this evolving landscape with unmatched agility. By leveraging proprietary data from our intelligence reports and advanced analytics, the platform provides:

Smart Attorney Matching – Identify top candidates whose expertise aligns with high-performing peers, based on metrics like success rates, technical focus, and client portfolios.

Opportunity Mapping – Track lateral move trends, spot emerging practice areas, and uncover underserved markets to guide strategic hiring.

Conflict Avoidance & Client Targeting – Screen for potential conflicts and pinpoint attorneys with strong ties to valuable clients, accelerating business development.

If you're looking to grow your team or explore new opportunities in IP litigation, connect with us today to see how Legal Link can support your goals. 📩 Contact us to learn more.