Kal K. Shah

Overview

Representing clients ranging from industry-leading multinational and global enterprises to new and emerging entities, business founders and inventors, Kal Shah combines extraordinary skill, persistence, and creativity, working closely with his clients to resolve complex commercial disputes including significant intellectual property matters both in and out of court.

Kal excels in finding a path forward to achieve his clients’ goals and has secured wins time and again in cases that decisively impact the viability or success of his clients’ businesses.

Complex Commercial Disputes

Trained as a commercial litigator with IP issues as just one realm of litigation, Kal has broad-based knowledge and experience in a variety of business disputes ranging from alleged fraud to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, derivative actions, business divorces, trade secret misappropriation cases, and a host of other matters. He advises clients holistically considering how best to position them for the future but is versed in building a record for trial should it be necessary to go the distance.

Intellectual Property Cases

As chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group, Kal leads the firm’s efforts in representing clients in copyright, trademark, trade secret, and patent matters spanning a variety of scientific disciplines. He has successfully handled multimillion-dollar trials for clients on both sides of the “v.”, including in cases involving medical devices, computer science and internet applications, bioengineering products, chemical substances, semiconductors, lighting circuits and systems, mechanical devices, and wireless technologies to name a few. Additionally, he advises clients not only in litigation but also in licensing deals, joint venture arrangements, and other transactions. 

A former engineer at Abbott Laboratories with a background in bioengineering and chemistry, Kal readily understands even the most complex innovations and is adept at presenting clear and persuasive arguments that drive success.

Clients regularly retain Kal because he is a creative problem solver who knows how to find a way to resolve even the most contentious, complex disputes. He helps his clients evaluate the facts and determine the best course of action to accomplish their objectives whether through hard-fought litigation, mediation, arbitration or a negotiated settlement.

Kal previously taught patent litigation as an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He maintains an active pro bono practice and was a recipient of the Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the Northern District of Illinois judges and the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter.

Kal began his legal career at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he worked his way up from associate to partner trying cases in both the intellectual property and commercial litigation departments. He later found his way to Benesch where he has grown his practice for nearly a decade.