Overview
Kate Tellez is a trusted trial lawyer known for her efficiency, cross-examinations, and quick-thinking in high-stakes patent infringement matters. She excels in the courtroom in a variety of technical fields, including software-based inventions, pharmaceuticals, computer networking, consumer goods, automotive parts, and medical devices.
Her strategic and decisive approach has prevailed on behalf of clients in federal district courts, US Patent and Trademark Office proceedings, including inter partes reviews (IPRs), appeals before the Federal Circuit, and International Trade Commission investigations.
Her significant victories include securing a $170 million verdict where the jury awarded the full damages sought and willful infringement; a $40 million verdict where the jury found for her client on all issues at trial; a rare reversal at the Federal Circuit of an IPR determination of no anticipation; and a trial victory for a patent owner at the ITC that was upheld by the full commission.
She previously worked at a litigation funding firm.
- Illinois
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- US Patent & Trademark Office
- J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 2010, cum laude
- B.S., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2007, Chemical Engineering
Representative Matters
- Represented Express Mobile in a patent infringement case against GoDaddy.com related to foundational website design and development graphical user interface tools. After six years of litigation, including a successful appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, won a $170 million jury verdict, where the jury awarded the full damages sought and willful infringement on all asserted patents.
- Represented Sandoz in a patent infringement suit relating to a pharmaceutical for growing eyelash hair. After years of litigation, upon appeal, invalidated the patent and won the reversal of $39 million in damages against our client.
- Represented Express Mobile in a patent infringement case against Shopify related to mobile phone and website functionality. Won a $40 million jury verdict, where the jury found all asserted claims at trial were infringed and valid.
- Representing Corrigent in several patent infringement suits relating to network switch and router technology.
- Represented Panduit Corp. in proceedings against Corning Optical Communications LLC in a case that spanned over five years. Through Steptoe's efforts, Panduit successfully resolved all matters between the parties and reached a favorable settlement. These cases involved fiber optic equipment and were of the highest visibility and importance, given that Panduit is a leading manufacturer in the area.
News & Publications
Press Releases
Federal Circuit Overturns Jury Verdict in Favor of Sandoz in Latisse® Patent Dispute
November 24, 2025
Press Releases
November 14, 2025
Press Releases
November 7, 2025
Press Releases
February 21, 2024
Press Releases
Steptoe Secures $4 Million Trial Win for American Axle After Years-Long Patent Battle
February 2, 2024
Press Releases
July 20, 2023
Press Releases
Steptoe Secures $40 Million Win on Behalf of Express Mobile in Patent Dispute
September 2, 2022
Events
Noteworthy
- Chicago Lawyer, "40 Under 40," (2022)
- Crain's Chicago Business, "Notable Women in Law," (2022)
- Crain's Chicago Business, “Notable Rising Star in Law," (2021)
- Best Lawyers in America, "One to Watch," Intellectual Property Law (2021-2022)
- Best Lawyers in America, "One to Watch," Litigation: Patent (2021-2022)
- Super Lawyers, Illinois, "Rising Star," Intellectual Property Litigation (2016-2021)
Professional Affiliations
- Coalition of Women's Initiative in Law, Chicago Chapter President (2025)