About Sharon
Sharon A. Hwang: Leading Patent Litigation Attorney in Chicago
Sharon A. Hwang is a highly respected and accomplished Shareholder at McAndrews, renowned for her exceptional courtroom advocacy and strategic expertise in intellectual property law, particularly patent litigation. With over 25 years of experience, she is a hands-on leader, having successfully tried and litigated dozens of complex cases before federal district courts, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Hwang’s commitment to her clients’ success is unwavering, focusing on maximizing the value of their intellectual property investments and providing robust legal counsel across a diverse range of technologies, including medical devices, electronics, and cellular telephony.
At the core of Ms. Hwang’s practice is a deep understanding of patent law and a proven ability to develop and execute effective litigation strategies. She is a dynamic and persuasive advocate who excels in high-stakes situations, consistently achieving favorable outcomes for her clients. Her experience extends to numerous inter partes reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, further demonstrating her comprehensive expertise.
Notable Case Results: Ms. Hwang’s track record speaks for itself, with a series of landmark victories that have solidified her reputation as a formidable legal force. Notably, she and a team of McAndrews attorneys secured a staggering $70 million in lost-profits damages – a verdict recognized as one of *The National Law Journal’s* Top Verdicts of the year. This success followed an affirmance in the Federal Circuit on all liability and damages issues, leading to a subsequent Supreme Court petition and ultimately, a $254 million judgment in favor of her client after a second remand where the district court again awarded treble damages and attorney fees. This enhanced damages award represents one of the largest in patent history.
Recognition and Awards: Ms. Hwang’s dedication and achievements have garnered widespread recognition within the legal community. She is consistently listed as a leading patent professional, having been named a Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Intellectual Property (Chicago – 2024), recognized as an Influential Women in IP by the World Intellectual Property Review (2020), and a Notable Woman in Law by Crain’s Chicago Business (2020). She is also an Illinois Super Lawyer and IP Star, maintaining this prestigious designation since 2015, earning designations as a Life Sciences Star since 2019, and was honored as one of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s “Best Lawyers Under 40” earlier in her career. Her achievements have been formally acknowledged through awards like the Career Achievement Award from the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers and the Justice Laura C. Liu Lifetime Achievement Award and the Vanguard Award from the Chinese American Bar Association.
Key Practice Areas:
- Litigation – Intellectual Property: Ms. Hwang specializes in all aspects of intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement, validity challenges, and licensing disputes.
- Litigation – Patent: Her deep expertise in patent law allows her to effectively represent clients in complex patent litigation matters.
Education & Credentials:
- Practice Area: Patent Law
- Special Focus: Patent Litigation
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2022
- City: Chicago
- State: Illinois
- Country: United States
Bar Admissions: Ms. Hwang is admitted to practice law in Illinois.
