William D. Patterson

Bill chairs the Commercial Litigation practice group, and has a national litigation practice, handling matters from New York to California and Florida to Alaska. Bill also regularly speaks to both business leaders and law students about strategies for protecting intellectual property.

His recent litigation experience includes:

• Representing an art collective in a trademark dispute before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals;
• Representing a multi-national corporation in deceptive trade practices litigation in California;
• Representing shareholders in a dispute with the managing member;
• Trade secrets litigation on behalf of business owners against former employees; and
• Numerous breach of contract including breach of licensing agreements for a variety of entities.

Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, Bill was general counsel for Business Logic where he led a four-and-a half-year fight against Morningstar, resulting in a $61 million settlement for his client. He also served as general counsel for the fintech company NextCapital, where he advised the founders on corporate formation, software licensing, intellectual property protection and other corporate issues.

Bill has spent the past 10 years as a volunteer and now a member of the board of directors of Chicago Lights, a Chicago not-for-profit that helps those experiencing homelessness. Bill also enjoys cooking for and spending time with his wife and three children.