They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Lauren Dreyer of Baker Botts

Lauren Dreyer

Age: 39

Law Firm: Baker Botts

Practice Area: Intellectual Property

Title: Partner

Location: Washington, DC

Law School: George Washington University Law School

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

In 2023, we tried a high stakes case to a jury for DISH. It was complex—dense source code, sky-high damages claims, and a record built by prior counsel. But all trials are team efforts, and our team went to work: winning summary judgment on key issues; slashing $1 billion from DISH’s exposure; and laying the groundwork for future successes.

I loved empaneling the jury and preparing key witnesses, including directing DISH’s former CTO’s examination, which helped the jury reach a verdict of no willful infringement—knocking out another $1 billion. But we weren’t done.

We then convinced the judge to overturn the liability finding altogether—something he’d never done in decades on the bench and “one of the most difficult decisions [he’s] ever made.” I’m particularly proud of that case, which earned us an AmLaw Litigator of the Week Runner-Up and helped our firm land on Law360’s 2023 IP Groups of the Year.

In a 2021 trial for Dell, my proudest moment was winning a mid-trial judgment of no willfulness—cutting over $100 million in potential exposure, keeping that issue out of closing and off the verdict form, and positioning my client more strongly for a defense verdict.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

As a first-year attorney, I learned an invaluable lesson from my then-firm’s review policy: nothing left the firm—whether to a court, opposing counsel, or a client—without a second set of eyes. Even the most senior partners followed this rule, often waiting for an associate to review their email before sending it. This reinforced several critical principles that continue to shape my practice today.

First, excellence is non-negotiable. Every piece of work product must be precise and polished because our credibility depends on it. Second, collaboration strengthens the final product. Thoughtful feedback—whether from a partner or a peer—is an opportunity to learn, not a burden to endure. Third, no one is above scrutiny. Being open to critique and willing to refine my work, no matter my experience level, has made me a stronger advocate.

At a more fundamental level, this practice instilled in me the importance of clarity, simplicity, and restraint in legal writing. Every word should serve a purpose, and precision matters. Even now, I approach my work with the same discipline, ensuring that everything I put my name on meets the highest standards.

How do you define success in your practice?

I define success in my practice by the results I achieve for my clients—both the ones that make headlines, like a favorable verdict, and the quiet victories, like a take-nothing settlement that spares a client unnecessary risk and expense. Winning isn’t always loud, but it’s always intentional.

Success also means bringing creativity, passion, and precision to every aspect of my work. It’s about thinking strategically to solve complex problems, writing persuasively to tell the right story, and editing obsessively to ensure every word serves its purpose.

The best arguments aren’t just legally sound, they’re compelling, clear, and leave no room for doubt. Ultimately, success is earning my clients’ trust, case after case, by delivering exceptional advocacy and judgment.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

I am most proud of my work representing a woman from Ethiopia in her asylum proceedings after she fled ethnic and religious persecution. She was detained by ICE while awaiting her hearing.

My team and I met her at the detention center and sat across from her as she recounted in painful detail the trauma that forced her to flee. Preparing her for trial meant spending hours on the phone in 20-minute increments, which required her to relive her worst moments in a public setting. I felt immense compassion for her strength and resilience.

The case was particularly challenging because it took place in the earliest months of Covid-19, forcing our team to navigate difficult new challenges, including conducting an in-person hearing in April 2020 under social distancing protocols. Despite so much uncertainty about the virus at the time, we put our own health at risk to ensure our client had the strongest possible defense. The judge granted asylum and shortly thereafter the government waived appeal.

On June 20, 2020, I received the call that my client had been released and was free. I’ll never forget that moment. The lengths we went through had been worth it. I’m also incredibly proud of my team, including the two junior associates who worked hard on this case and had their first opportunities to speak in court.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

I truly can’t pick just one. I’ve been fortunate—incredibly fortunate—to have so many champions throughout my career, each shaping me into the lawyer I am today.

There was James Barney, who gave me my first speaking opportunity in court, trusted me to take a witness at trial, and led by example, showing me through his practice what it means to be an effective leader and advocate. The judge I clerked for, The Honorable Raymond T. Chen, who challenged me to think about the law—and the profession—in a completely different way. My first mentor, Wayne Stacy, who took me under his wing when I was a new lateral associate, giving me opportunities to shine and the confidence and guidance to navigate a new and challenging setting. And my partners now—Hopkins Guy, Lisa Kattan, Katharine Burke, and Rob Maier—who fight both for me and alongside me.

Their insight, advocacy, and excellence push me every day to be a better lawyer. Each of them has left a mark on my career, reinforcing that the best lawyers are not just skilled advocates but also generous teachers and champions of others. I try to carry that forward, mentoring and supporting others the way so many have done for me.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

I’m a musical theater nerd. So, in honor of “Wicked” returning to the big screens in November, the song on repeat in my household is “Defying Gravity.” My 5- and 4-year-olds run around pretending to fly on their broomsticks while we act out the scene and belt out the chords, with much enthusiasm and little vocal talent. Next up is “Naña” by Polo y Pan. A happy summer dance song that I’ll be playing in anticipation of seeing them live in the fall at The Anthem.

Lauren Dreyer of Baker Botts with husband and children riding a Ferris wheel in Lago di Garda, Italy.

Photo Illustration: Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Law; Photo courtesy of Lauren Dreyer