The Western District of Texas (WDTX) has emerged as a prominent venue for patent litigation, largely due to the efforts of U.S. District Judge Alan Albright. Appointed in 2018, Judge Albright’s background as a patent litigator and his proactive approach to managing patent cases attracted a significant influx of filings to the Waco Division, where he presided. By 2020, the Waco Division accounted for approximately 22% of all patent cases filed nationwide, surpassing traditional hubs like the District of Delaware and the Eastern District of Texas. ([law.temple.edu](https://law.temple.edu/10q/how-the-west-became-the-east-the-patent-litigation-explosion-in-the-western-district-of-texas/?utm_source=openai))
Judge Albright’s courtroom became favored by patent plaintiffs due to his streamlined procedures, early claim construction hearings, and expedited trial schedules. These practices were particularly appealing to non-practicing entities seeking efficient resolutions. However, this concentration of cases in Waco drew criticism from various quarters, including U.S. senators and the Chief Justice of the United States, who expressed concerns over forum shopping and the potential for biased outcomes. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Albright?utm_source=openai))
In response to these concerns, Chief Judge Orlando Garcia issued an order on July 25, 2022, mandating that all new patent cases filed in the Waco Division be randomly assigned among 12 district judges across the Western District of Texas. This move effectively ended the automatic assignment of cases to Judge Albright and aimed to equitably distribute the patent caseload. ([goodwinlaw.com](https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/insights/publications/2022/07/07_28-chief-judge-of-the-western-district-of-texas?utm_source=openai))
Despite this change, Judge Albright continued to handle a substantial portion of patent cases. Data from the first seven months following the new assignment procedure indicated that he was assigned nearly 50% of newly filed patent cases in Waco, suggesting that his influence remained significant. ([mondaq.com](https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/patent/1309178/the-impact-of-new-patent-litigation-assignments-rules-in-the-western-district-of-texas?utm_source=openai))
In April 2026, Judge Albright announced his intention to retire from the bench in August of the same year. This impending departure raises questions about the future of WDTX as a preferred venue for patent litigation. Legal experts suggest that while Judge Albright’s practices have left a lasting impact, his absence may lead plaintiffs to reconsider their venue strategies, potentially shifting filings to other districts. ([haynesboone.com](https://www.haynesboone.com/news/articles/emerson-bloomberg-law-judge-albright-exit-reverberate-among-texas-patent-cases?utm_source=openai))
The long-term implications of Judge Albright’s retirement on WDTX’s status in patent litigation remain to be seen. The district’s future as a patent litigation hub will likely depend on the approaches adopted by his successors and the evolving preferences of patent litigants.