Nationally Recognized IP Litigator Erik Swenson Joins Stradling in Austin

Austin, TX – March 11, 2026 – Stradling announced today that Erik Swenson, a nationally recognized intellectual property litigator, has joined the firm as Managing Partner of the Austin office. Erik brings valuable in-house experience, having served as Chief Technology Officer for a major company and having held leadership roles in Minneapolis as Parter-in-Charge and in Munich at Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm in both U.S.-based and international offices.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome an attorney of Erik's caliber to the firm," said Jason de Bretteville, Chair of Stradling's Litigation Department. "His vast experience as a litigator, coupled with his in-house and technical background—he holds an advanced degree from MIT—make him a significant asset to our firm and clients."

Erik's practice focuses on high-stakes patent litigation in federal jurisdictions across the country. He has been lead counsel in more than 200 adverse matters, including all aspects of trials, appeals, and administrative proceedings. He also has extensive experience representing clients in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings challenging the validity of U.S. patents conducted by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

“Erik adds to our Austin footprint and adds to our intellectual property and IP litigation practice, both growth areas for the firm,” according to Steve Hanle, chair of Stradling’s IP group.

As a registered U.S. patent attorney, Erik works with clients to develop coordinated cross-border litigation and prosecution strategies and regularly represents foreign companies in U.S. patent disputes. He has extensive experience representing global technology companies in complex IP matters in the United States and Europe and advises clients across a wide range of technologies, including artificial intelligence, electrical, mechanical, and software systems.

In addition to his IP work, Erik handles transactional matters, including licensing, due diligence, opinions, and client counseling.

He received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota, his M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his B.S. from Marquette University.