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Bijal Vakil

Partner, Global Co-head of Technology

Silicon Valley

San Francisco

Image of Bijal Vakil
Bijal Vakil

Partner, Global Co-head of Technology

Silicon Valley

San Francisco

Bijal is a key founding partner of Allen & Overy's Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices, globally co-heading the Firm's Technology practice. He successfully represents technology companies ranging from those on the Fortune 100 list to early-stage startups. Clients seek out Bijal for his expert courtroom strategies and advice on protecting complex, technical intellectual properties, leveraging his broad litigation experience in district courts, the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Federal Circuit.

Bijal's legal expertise spans many technologies, including computer software, semiconductors, drones, e-commerce, social media, payments, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, telecommunications, video games, medical devices, and innovative uses of blockchain technology in cryptocurrency. His experience includes serving as lead counsel in hundreds of contentious patent matters, major trade secrets disputes, leading U.S. and cross-border deals, strategizing on complex technology transactions, and forming technology alliances in ground-breaking new industries. The practice that Bijal leads has been likened by IAM to “an IP boutique within a global firm”, with the title praising the team as one that “attracts globally recognized clients looking for crisp results in large-scale mandates.”

The legal community recognizes Bijal's unique skill set. He was selected to serve on various court committees in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, including Co-Chair of the Lawyer's Representative Committee; Chair of two Magistrate Judge Selection Committees; Member of Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee and Mediator, Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

Bijal strongly believes in keeping the door open for others. His commitment to mentorship and diversity is evident through his active involvement with several Asian Pacific legal associations, earning him accolades from legal and business communities. His contributions have been acknowledged with awards from the National Asian Pacific Bar Association and the Silicon Valley Business Journal, underscoring his influence and dedication to paving the way for future generations in the legal field.

Related articles

Blog Post: 10 October 2023

Q3 Patent Litigation Update: U.S. Patent Litigation Decreases

Bijal Vakil and Will Wray of our global Technology practice comment on the recent decline in new U.S. patent lawsuits.

Read more Q3 Patent Litigation Update: U.S. Patent Litigation Decreases

Publications: 06 October 2023

The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 5: Arbitration as an option for FRAND disputes

Read more The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 5: Arbitration as an option for FRAND disputes

Publications: 03 October 2023

Legal liability of AI: Dealing with minds immeasurably superior to ours

Read more Legal liability of AI: Dealing with minds immeasurably superior to ours

Publications: 03 October 2023

Future disputes risks: How ready is business for the challenges that lie ahead?

Read more Future disputes risks: How ready is business for the challenges that lie ahead?

Experience highlights

Office

Silicon Valley

550 High Street, Second Floor
Palo Alto
CA 94301

View office →

San Francisco

140 New Montgomery
San Francisco
CA 94105

View office →

Qualifications

Professional

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2024

Admitted: State Bar of California

US District Court for the Central District of California

US District Court for the Northern District of California

US District Court for the Eastern District of California

US District Court for the Southern District of California

US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

US District Court for the Western District of Texas

US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

US Supreme Court

Academic

JD, University of California, Davis

BA, University of California, Los Angeles

Fraudulent emails

Please note there is a known fraud/scam currently using the Allen & Overy brand and Bijal Vakil's name.

More information on fraud using the Allen & Overy brand can be found here.

Please contact inhouselegal@allenovery.com if you have been targeted.

Other noteworthy experience

Advising:

  • A major global technology company. Represented the company in patent litigations involving six patents related to improvements in wireless charging of mobile devices. Resulted in a favorable settlement for our client.
  • An international manufacturer of computer hardware. Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement and achieved dismissal of three separate patent lawsuits alleging infringement of patents related to display technology used in laptop computers and monitors.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

Patent Star

Managing IP, 2017-2023

IP: Patent Litigation, California, Band 5

Chambers USA, 2022-2023

IAM 300 Global Leaders

Intellectual Asset Management (IAM), 2024