Bijal Vakil
Partner, Global Co-head of Technology
Silicon Valley
San Francisco

Bijal Vakil
Partner, Global Co-head of Technology
Silicon Valley
San Francisco
Contact details
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.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Office
Silicon Valley
550 High Street, Second Floor
Palo Alto
CA 94301
San Francisco
140 New Montgomery
San Francisco
CA 94105
Qualifications
Professional
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
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.
Publications: 06 October 2023
The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 5: Arbitration as an option for FRAND disputes
Publications: 03 October 2023
Regulating AI: Businesses need to prepare for increasing risk of future disputes
Experience highlights
Obtained significant jury trial wins in a patent infringement case against a competitor. After achieving a complete win in the initial trial, an exceedingly rare permanent injunction was granted in the subsequent jury trial, effectively ceasing the sales of the implicated automotive safety products in the U.S. Following months of briefing, the Federal Circuit maintained the permanent injunction.
Represented the company in patent infringement claims in the ITC and the Central District of California. Successfully obtained summary judgment on § 101 grounds in a patent infringement matter involving a method and system of requesting and retrieving information over the internet from software running on multiple computers. Also obtained a dismissal with prejudice for the client in another matter.
Successfully defended in a district court litigation and as a petitioner in nine inter partes review ("IPR") proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board challenging the validity of eight patents, and over 100 claims. Final decisions in all IPR proceedings held all claims unpatentable, resulting in a dismissal of the underlying litigation and a complete victory for the client.
Successfully defended as petitioner in 27 IPR proceedings that challenged the validity of 275 claims of seven patents. Final decisions in all proceedings held all claims unpatentable and resulted in a dismissal of the underlying litigation and a complete victory for the client.

Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Office
Silicon Valley
550 High Street, Second Floor
Palo Alto
CA 94301
San Francisco
140 New Montgomery
San Francisco
CA 94105
Qualifications
Professional
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
Bijal has his finger on the pulse of so many technology trends and his client service makes five-star hotels look slow.
Chambers USA
He is frequently called upon by leading tech-sector companies to litigate complex patent disputes" and "perfectly understands the needs of his clients.
Chambers USA
A really good strategic lawyer, [he] builds cases brilliantly and is able to spot and exploit the weaknesses in opponents' positions.
IAM Patent 1000
Bijal Vakil offers so much to innovators in the form of portfolio development, licensing and litigation expertise. The Silicon Valley partner knows the way the patent and business winds are blowing and accordingly adjusts to optimal strategies with agility.
IAM Strategy 300
Assured litigator and adept all-round strategist. Bijal Vakil is a vital cog…having led and founded offices and played an important role in the diversity and inclusion front. With a flair for the fine print of licensing agreements, he also leans into a gilt-edged transactions practice.
IAM Strategy 300
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