Discover the fascinating story of how two quaint Texas towns transformed into the epicenter of patent law in America.
Imagine a federal judge named Alan Albright captivating a room full of attorneys with a unique presentation. Picture his courthouse in Waco, Texas, nestled close to a charming sweet shop. The topic of discussion? “Why You Should File Your Next Patent Case Across the Street from the ‘Hey Sugar’”. Intriguing, isn’t it?
The legal minds in attendance were undoubtedly swayed by Judge Albright’s words. In less than two years since assuming his position, he managed to preside over nearly 20% of all patent cases in the country, as reported by Lex Machina, a renowned legal-analytics firm. Fast forward to 2021, and his jurisdiction expanded to 23%. Esteemed trial teams from major cities like New York and California, representing tech giants like Google and Intel, started flocking to Waco, a vibrant city in central Texas with a population of 140,000.
Bill Wetterman, a savvy real-estate developer and proud Waco native, seized a lucrative opportunity. In 2021, he unveiled Legal Lawfts, a concept that offers rentable office spaces—dubbed “war rooms” in legal circles—equipped with top-notch amenities like security cameras, reliable internet, and even gluten-free Oreos upon request.
2024-04-16 14:06:06
Explore more about this intriguing narrative on www.economist.com
