Recognitions
Paul received the 2019 Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court, in conjunction with the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
The IAM Patent 1000 states Paul's "Chicago patent litigation team does not just show up on the doorstep when companies get sued – it likes to get to grips with clients and understand their business at an intimate level. In line with this, the DLA Piper partners are hands on and routinely go the extra mile to visit those they represent – wherever they are in the world – which, for Paul Steadman and Matthew Satchwell, means lots of trips to Japan. Hailed by eminent peers as 'strong advocates who produce excellent written and oral work', these two dynamic and no-nonsense litigators are 'devastatingly effective in the courtroom.' They are in especially hot demand for representation when fights kick off in the automotive space, but their wins are notched up across the high-tech domain. They score additional points for running things at the ITC and making judicious use of the firm's rich chest of global resources whenever it is advantageous.
Chambers USA has repeatedly recognized the active role Paul plays in the Illinois practice in both litigation and the ITC, and as part of a leading IP firm globally. They have noted his defense of "Hyundai Motors against patent infringement claims by Blitzsafe concerning technology for audio integration for the use of third party devices in vehicles." Additionally, clients have stated the practice is "professional, capable and thorough" and are "impressed with the service of the team" and "appreciate the oversight they give."
The Legal 500 United States has recommended Paul as "very reliable for [his] clients but formidable to [his] opponents." The directory has called Paul an "aggressive" leader in the litigation of trade secret cases and noted that his name "came up frequently" in interviews with clients as a partner with a "proven track record in trade secrets work." He was part of the trial team that successfully defended a leading tractor manufacturer in a patent infringement jury trial in the Central District of Illinois, a verdict later chosen as one of The National Law Journal's Top Defense Wins. The Legal 500 United States has described Paul as "an outstanding IP litigator," and added that he "has amassed great experience in many aspects of patent disputes such as depositions, settlement negotiations and trials."
Paul is also part of an active IP practice lauded by several publications including those by BTI Consulting and Corporate Counsel. The practice has been selected by BTI as one of the “Best of the Best” IP law firms for more than five years. The firm was recognized BTI's Client Service 30 in 2019 recognizing the top firms who deliver the absolute best in client service, and has named DLA Piper to "The Awesome Opponents" list in BTI's Most Feared Firms in Litigation publication.