2026 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
“
He quickly sees directly to the heart of the legal issues that will decide a case. ”
BEN MAHON
AGE: 39 FIRM : McAndrews, Held & Malloy LAW SCHOOL : Chicago-Kent College of Law
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE: Patent litigation
P atent litigation often requires attorneys to transform com- plex scientific and technical concepts into arguments that judges and juries can quickly understand. Ben Mahon has mas- tered this ability, something that has earned him a reputation as a highly regarded patent litigator. Mahon has handled every phase of patent litigation, from discovery and depositions through witness examinations, oral arguments, and appeals. He has served as first-chair counsel, delivered closing arguments at trial and argued multiple appeals before the Federal Circuit, as well as cases before the Illinois Appellate Court. Especially notable is the work Mahon has turned in during high-stakes Hatch-Waxman pharmaceutical litigation, where patent disputes can determine whether lower-cost generic drugs reach the market. He has also served medical device com- pany clients in their most important patent disputes. “Ben is an exceptional oral advocate and communicator,” said Manuela Cabal, counsel for Abbott. “He has a rare ability to dis- till complex scientific and technical concepts into clear, accessi- ble arguments for judges, juries, and other audiences. This abili- ty is particularly valuable in life sciences patent litigation, where simplifying highly technical subject matter is critical to success.”
Among his accomplishments are leading trial teams that se- cured judgments invalidating multiple pharmaceutical patents, outcomes that cleared the way for FDA approval of generic medications. He also successfully defended those victories on appeal, including one matter argued against a former solicitor general of the United States. In addition, Mahon led a trial team in recovering more than $30 million in lost profits for a wrong- ful injunction after defending a judgment of non-infringement on appeal. “Ben has exceptional analytical, writing and oral advocacy skills, as well as impeccable judgment,” said Aaron Barkoff, asso- ciate vice president with Eli Lilly and Company. “He quickly sees directly to the heart of the legal issues that will decide a case.” Mahon is also committed to public service. Through the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic, on whose Board he now sits, he has handled hundreds of pro bono criminal-record expungement and sealing matters and represented multiple pro se clients on appeal to overturn default judgments issued against them. “Ben is unique because, in addition to being an exceptional litigator for his corporate clients, his commitment to pro bono work drives him to give back to his community,” said Amber Carpenter, senior legal counsel with Ferrara Candy Company.
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40 Under Forty 2026 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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