Leonhardt, Shanks

Dr. Wagner's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and intellectual property law. Dr. Wagner is an accomplished litigator with a strong background in civil litigation involving technical issues, such as patent infringement and trade secret litigation in the computer, electrical, and mechanical fields, as well as complex commercial and corporate litigation matters, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and RICO litigation.

Before joining Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton, Dr. Wagner practiced law at Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP in Chicago, where he successfully represented numerous Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies in patent infringement and complex commercial cases.

In addition to his litigation work, Dr. Wagner is licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where he has prosecuted patents on behalf of his clients. With his strong scientific and technical training, Dr. Wagner is well-positioned to handle complex patents, especially in the optical, electrical, computer, and mechanical fields.

Dr. Wagner also conducts intellectual property audits on behalf of his clients in order to assist them in evaluating, strengthening, and protecting their intellectual property, technology, and brands.

Dr. Wagner handles all phases of litigation, from inception, through discovery and pre-trial motion practice, to trial, post-trial motion practice, and finally appeals. Dr. Wagner has extensive experience taking and defending depositions and examining witnesses at trial, as well as arguing motions before the court.

Dr. Wagner also contributes to the firm's intellectual property and technology blog.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Midtronics, Inc. v. Aurora Performance Products d/b/a Argus Analyzers, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Case No. 2011-1589 lead appellate counsel - Successfully argued for plaintiff-appellee Midtronics to uphold the District Court's finding of willful infringement by defendants
• Midtronics, Inc. v. Aurora Performance Products d/b/a Argus Analyzers, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 06-cv-3917 co-lead trial counsel - Represented plaintiff in bench trial where court found that defendants willfully infringed client's patent
• Cement-Lock, LLC v. Gas Technology Institute, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 05-cv-0018 trial counsel - Represented plaintiffs in a RICO, fraud, and breach of fiduciary action involving green technology in a 9-week jury trial.  Case settled after post-trial motions following a multi-million verdict in clients' favor.