Paul M. Schoenhard, an accomplished trial and appellate litigator who represents emerging and multinational companies across the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in Washington, D.C.
Schoenhard serves as lead counsel in high-stakes disputes involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights and unfair competition. He has argued appeals before U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal and Ninth Circuits and handled patent infringement matters before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). His work covers pioneering advances, from artificial intelligence and e-vapor products to cancer treatments and collision detection systems. He notably defended innovators in three of the first copyright cases involving generative AI. He joins McGuireWoods from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.
“Paul is an exceptional litigator whose strategic vision and courtroom prowess will be tremendous assets to our clients,” said Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner for litigation.
Schoenhard has earned widespread recognition for his legal acumen. In the 2025 edition of IAM Patent 1000, he was recognized as “a commanding presence in the courtroom” who “understands the finer points of patent strategy and is equipped with polished trial skills.”
“The depth of Paul’s experience across all facets of IP litigation, including ITC cases, makes him an ideal addition as we expand our capabilities in D.C. and continue growing our national practice,” said David Finkelson, co-leader of McGuireWoods’ Intellectual Property Practice Group.
McGuireWoods’ intellectual property lawyers help clients develop, protect and leverage commercially valuable ideas and information, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other creative assets. The firm’s IP litigators defend multinational corporations in federal courts and before the ITC, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
“Paul’s impressive track record in complex IP disputes and commitment to client service align perfectly with our team’s strengths,” said Lucy Jewett Wheatley, co-leader of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. “He will enhance our ability to deliver impactful solutions to protect clients’ valuable IP assets.”
McGuireWoods earned a nationwide ranking for intellectual property and trade secrets litigation from the Legal 500 United States. The firm received a Managing IP Americas Award in 2025 for its pivotal role representing Penn State in a closely watched trademark infringement dispute that was named “Impact Case of the Year.”
“I am thrilled to join McGuireWoods at such an exciting time for the firm’s intellectual property practice,” Schoenhard said. “The team’s reputation for excellence and client-focused approach makes this an ideal platform to continue advocating for innovators and creators across all areas of IP law.”
Beyond his intellectual property work, Schoenhard maintains a robust pro bono practice representing disabled veterans in cases before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Federal Circuit. He is the author of the seminal casebook Veterans Affairs Law and served consecutive terms on the Rules Advisory Committee to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
“Paul’s arrival continues our commitment to attracting top-tier talent to our D.C. office and throughout the firm, and we are delighted to welcome him,” said Elizabeth Hogan, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ D.C. office.