Former U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has transitioned back to private practice, joining A&O Shearman as a partner in its intellectual property litigation team in Austin, Texas. This move follows his retirement from the federal bench in August 2026.
Albright’s judicial career began in 1992 when he served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Texas until 1999. He returned to the bench in 2018 as a U.S. District Judge for the same district, a position he held until his recent retirement. During his tenure, Albright became known for overseeing a significant portion of patent litigation in the United States. His handling of patent cases, particularly his reluctance to transfer cases to other jurisdictions, drew attention and led to procedural changes within the court system. In July 2022, Chief Judge Orlando Garcia issued an order to randomly assign new patent cases filed in the Waco Division among twelve judges, effectively reducing Albright’s patent docket. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Albright?utm_source=openai))
Before his judicial appointments, Albright practiced intellectual property law as a partner in the Austin office of Bracewell LLP. His return to private practice at A&O Shearman aligns with his extensive experience in IP litigation. A&O Shearman, formed in 2024 through the merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, is a multinational law firm with nearly 4,000 attorneys across 49 offices worldwide. The firm offers comprehensive legal services, including corporate and M&A, finance, capital markets, disputes, and regulatory advisory. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%26O_Shearman?utm_source=openai))
Albright’s addition to A&O Shearman’s Austin office is part of the firm’s strategic expansion in Texas. Recently, the firm also welcomed corporate lawyer Steven Tyndall to its M&A and private equity practice in Austin. Tyndall brings 27 years of experience in corporate and securities law, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in the region. ([iclg.com](https://iclg.com/news/ao-shearman-scoops-corporate-and-securities-expert-in-austin/?utm_source=openai))
Albright’s move to A&O Shearman reflects a broader trend of former judges transitioning to private practice, where their judicial experience offers valuable insights into litigation strategy and case management. His return to the private sector is anticipated to enhance the firm’s intellectual property litigation practice, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors prevalent in Austin.