Paul Steadman

Partner

Co-Chair, US Trade Secrets Practice
Co-Chair, Chicago Intellectual Property Practice

Emailpaul.steadman@us.dlapiper.com

About

Paul Steadman, an experienced first-chair trial lawyer and Chambers-ranked intellectual property (IP) litigator, represents global companies in complex patent, trade secret, and other IP-related litigation. He leads an organized, aggressive strike team of trial lawyers in IP cases.

Paul has appeared as lead trial counsel to clients in jury trials before the International Trade Commission (ITC) investigating Section 337 violations, in federal and state court appeals, in Markman claim construction and other evidentiary hearings, before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, in United States Bankruptcy Court, and in mediations and arbitrations

In 2025, Chambers USA recognized Paul as a leading IP lawyer for the fifth consecutive year. Clients praise that "the level of professionalism, experience, and gravitas Paul demonstrates offers my board, senior management team, and investors a high level of reassurance and confidence," and "it is really comfortable and smooth to talk with him about any strategic discussion."

Paul is also ranked as a leading patent litigator by IAM Patent 1000 2025, which describes him as "a tenacious trial lawyer with excellent leadership abilities," who "also puts in winning performances at the ITC and all other US forums for patent disputes."

With a degree in Materials Science Engineering and a strong background in the materials, mechanical and electrical arts, Paul is comfortable in almost any technology. His ability to understand and present technology is reflected in his work on behalf of clients in diverse technical fields, including: SEPs, automotive infotainment, GPS and related navigation system technology, medical products, medical imaging, inverter controller integrated circuits, automotive safety systems and sensors, diesel fuel injectors and injection systems, lawn and garden and compact-utility tractors, high-tech glass, disposable and re-usable ear plugs, healthcare networks, consumer electronics, various semiconductors and integrated circuits, voltage protection, monolithic valves, computer software, digital compression, high-definition television, InGaN LEDs, DRAMs, MP3 players, hard disk media, and auto parts manufacturing.

Areas of FocusIntellectual Property Trade Secrets Automotive Technology Patent Litigation

Bar admissionsDistrict of ColumbiaIllinoisUnited States Patent and Trademark Office

CourtsUnited States District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisUnited States District Court for the Central District of IllinoisUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Western District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganUnited States District Court for the Western District of WisconsinUnited States District Court for the District of OklahomaUnited States Court of Appeals for the Federal CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Education

J.D., The University of Chicago Law School, 1996

B.S., Material Science Engineering, Rice University, 1991

B.S., Economics, Rice University, 1991

Awards

Chambers USA

Band 2, Illinois Intellectual Property, (2025)
Band 3, Illinois Intellectual Property, (2023 – 2024)
Band 4, Illinois Intellectual Property, (2021 – 2022)

The Legal 500 United States

Recommended, Patents: Litigation (International Trade Commission), (2016 – 2021, 2025)
Recommended, Trade Secrets (Litigation and Non-Contentious Matters), (2019 – 2021, 2023 – 2025)
The Legal 500 United States 2023 noted that "Paul R. Steadman and Matthew D. Satchwell in [DLA Piper's] Chicago office are very powerful, trustworthy and experienced trial lawyers in intellectual property litigations before Federal District Courts, Federal Circuit and ITC. Both Paul and Matt are strong team leaders to lead their litigation team and other outside counsels in a joint defense arrangement" and “Paul Steadman and Shuzo Maruyama understand technologies, industry, and IP practices very well. Their advices are always practical and quick."
Recommended, Patents Litigation: Full Coverage, (2016 – 2022, 2024)
Recommended, Patents: Licensing, (2021)

Additional Awards

Paul was included in the 2025 edition of POWER PLAYERS Trade Secrets - Distinguished Advisers by Financier Worldwide.

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.

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 by 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.

Pro Bono

Paul has had an active pro bono practice, including high-profile litigation on trademark and copyright matters. He has represented the Chicago Justice Project in FOIA litigation for many years, including against the Cook County States Attorney and the Illinois Department of Corrections. He has twice represented a class of all children detained at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Facility (resulting in improved confinement conditions for all children held at the facility). He has represented an inmate at Cook County Jail for violations to US Constitutional rights.

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