William J. Lenz

William J. Lenz

Chicago, IL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

49 Best Lawyers awards

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Patent Law

Biography

Bill provides strategic counsel to numerous clients regarding the development, protection and monetization of sophisticated global intellectual property portfolios. His practice includes a wide array of intellectual property matters with a particular emphasis portfolio management and long-term portfolio strategy development, management of defense and enforcement actions, infringement and clearance analyses, technology agreements, licenses and transfers, and strategic guidance on significant corporate, private equity and other investment transactions that involve complex intellectual property components.

He represents businesses across a broad spectrum of industries and technologies, including financial services, data and analytics, digital marketing, software, mobile device manufacturers, professional audio and consumer electronics, health care IT, and telecommunications. He serves as primary intellectual property counsel for several clients. He helps them navigate their highly competitive markets, managing extensive portfolios and licensing practices and fully leveraging their intellectual property to meet business objectives.

Bill’s litigation practice focuses on the development and deployment of litigation strategy and managing litigation teams in disputes across the country from both the enforcement and defense perspectives. He counsels clients through every aspect of litigation and provides pragmatic advice in consideration of all facets of the clients’ business.

Bill is a member of NGE's Sustainability Committee, which develops and oversees firm initiatives designed to reduce NGE's environmental footprint.

Before starting his legal career, Bill worked as a development engineer for an international communications products manufacturer where he developed a deep understanding of the complex business and legal considerations and internal pressures his clients face every day in their operations. This practical experience enables him to take a more holistic and business-focused approach to learning his clients’ operations, anticipating and responding to critical changes in the marketplace, and developing new, multifaceted strategies to protect and leverage their intellectual property all over the world.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

49 Best Lawyers awards

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Illinois Chicago, John Marshall Law School, J.D., graduated 1999
  • University of Illinois - Chicago, B.S., graduated 1992

  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association

  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

  • U.S. Department of Commerce - Patent and Trademark Office
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • University of Illinois Chicago, John Marshall Law School, J.D., graduated 1999
  • University of Illinois - Chicago, B.S., graduated 1992
  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Department of Commerce - Patent and Trademark Office

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Patent Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Copyright Law
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property

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