Cozen O’Connor adds ‘distinguished’ patent attorney in DC
Law firm Cozen O’Connor has hired patent counsellor Todd Buck to lead trade secret proceedings at its IP and business law practices in Washington DC.
Buck has more than two decades of experience in the life sciences IP sector and has earned a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology.
Buck has experience in counselling and strategic planning with startups, small, large and multi-billion dollar companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology industries.
In his career, Buck has acted as lead counsel in state trade secret misappropriation proceedings and US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit appeals of US Patent Trial and Appeal Board decisions.
Jonathan Grossman, office managing partner at Cozen O’Connor said: “We are thrilled to welcome Todd to the Washington, DC office. With almost two decades of experience in the complex world of developing and defending patent portfolios surrounding key platform technologies, I have no doubt that Todd will be an asset to Cozen O’Connor and our clients.”
“I believe my experience and background in some of the most cutting-edge life-sciences technologies will be beneficial for Cozen O’Connor clients, and I am thrilled to join the firm.”
Todd Buck
Buck has provided counsel in molecular diagnostics, cell therapy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and AI-based RNA products fields.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to work with a well-respected team and be able to surround myself with colleagues who have significant experience in representing established and emerging growth companies,” Buck said.
“I believe my experience and background in some of the most cutting-edge life-sciences technologies will be beneficial for Cozen O’Connor clients, and I am thrilled to join the firm.”
Barnes & Thornburg adds life science talent to its Boston IP practice
Barnes & Thornburg has added three new life science IP lawyers to the firm’s new Boston office.
Partner Andrew Rejent and associates Alex Nagorniy and Liza Hadley, along with IP paralegal Christine Shapiro joined the firm’s IP department in Boston, shortly after the office was opened in June.
Rejent, Nagorniy and Hadley are IP attorneys who represent clients across the electromechanical, chemical, mechanical, software arts, medical devices, and information technology.
Julia Gard, chair of the firm’s IP department said: “The addition of this group furthers our goal of expanding our national patent practice, and we’re excited to welcome them. They are high-calibre attorneys with well-rounded practices, and their ability to advise our clients on a wide range of patent matters, from applications to prosecution, will be invaluable.”
“We are dedicated to growing our team in Boston and we are thrilled to add the talents of Andrew, Alex, Liza and Christine so soon after opening the office,” said Robert Grand, Barnes & Thornburg’s managing partner.
“This group brings an excellent skill set that complements our current footprint in Boston’s competitive legal and IP sectors.”
“This group brings an excellent skill set that complements our current footprint in Boston’s competitive legal and IP sectors.”
Robert Grand
Gowling hires IP director from Norton Rose
Gowling WLG has appointed London-based IP barrister Seiko Hidaka, as the new director of its global IP practice.
Hidaka’s appointment will further strengthen its expertise in the tech sector and support its growing global capabilities in Asia, Gowling claimed in a press release.
Hidaka previously worked as an associate within the Gowling’s IP team when it was part of Wragge & Co. Prior to rejoining Gowling, she served as counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright’s IP team in London.
Over the past few years, she has advised several global businesses across both the technology and life sciences sectors. She has litigated data, standard-essential patents, green tech, new therapeutic advances, e-cigarettes, and digital payment solutions.
“I could not turn down an opportunity to join an energetic and go-getting practice.”
Seiko Hidaka
Commenting on her new position, Hidaka said: "I could not turn down an opportunity to join an energetic and go-getting practice that has marked several significant triumphs in the recent years in the field of IP.
“Being able to provide a keen and forward-looking IP offering is vital in the digital age, and I look forward to developing new initiatives with the benefit of the comprehensive and broad experience and knowledge base of one of the largest IP practices in the UK."
Kate Swaine, co-head of global IP at Gowling WLG, said: “Seiko's technical skillset and experience will provide valuable support and insight to our clients as they navigate through the challenges presented by new and emerging areas of technology.
“Her appointment brings further strength to our stellar IP team and its patent litigation expertise. We look forward to welcoming Seiko to the team."
Former FDA chief counsel joins Morrison & Foerster’s DC office
Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Chief Counsel Stacy Cline Amin has been hired as a partner at Morrison & Foerster’s life sciences and healthcare practice in Washington, DC.
She joins the firm after almost a decade of working for the US government. Most recently, she served a joint role as the chief counsel of the FDA and deputy general counsel of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
In this role, she led the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel and played a critical role in the FDA’s COVID-19 pandemic response, as well as navigating regulatory issues and litigation in gene therapy, medical device safety and innovation, and digital health matters.
Larren Nashelsky, chair at Morrison & Foerster said: “Stacy brings exceptional healthcare and life sciences experience to the firm, having served in senior-level positions in FDA, HHS, and the executive and legislative branches.
“Her highly strategic regulatory and healthcare enforcement experience adds significant depth and breadth to our life sciences, healthcare, and FDA practices.”
“I’m excited to help clients in the life sciences and healthcare industries navigate their most difficult regulatory, compliance, and litigation challenges.”
Stacy Amin
Amin’s arrival represents the fifth government official to join the firm’s Washington DC practice since the start of 2021. The other officials include Brian Kidd, Brandon Van Grack, Alexander Okuliar, and David Shaw.
Prior to her role at the FDA, she served in the White House Counsel’s Office as a senior associate counsel to the president, as the chief counsel of the senate health, education, labour and pensions committee, and as a counsel on the house Energy & Commerce Committee.
Amin said: “After having spent a career serving across all branches of the US government, I’m excited to help clients in the life sciences and healthcare industries navigate their most difficult regulatory, compliance, and litigation challenges.
“Morrison & Foerster’s unparalleled expertise at the intersection of health, life sciences, and technology and its commitment to exceptional client service is what attracted me to the firm. Together with my colleagues in the Life Sciences + Healthcare practice, I look forward to supporting our clients achieve their goals and improve the lives of people everywhere.”
Haynes Boone launches CBD advisory practice
International law firm Haynes Boone has launched the CBD Hemp Industry Group to advise businesses on the burgeoning cannabinoid market.
This new group is composed of former in-house counsel and government lawyers with cannabis industry experience.
The lawyers comprising the group bring knowledge of FDA regulatory and compliance, healthcare and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, IP, and advertising, marketing and promotional law.
They have also counselled both start-ups and established cannabis franchises in FDA compliance, patents, brand protection, trade secrets, advertising, and investigations.
“Our firm is uniquely positioned to address our CBD and hemp clients’ sophisticated legal needs.”
Theresa Conduah
“Our firm is uniquely positioned to address our CBD and hemp clients’ sophisticated legal needs,” said Theresa Conduah, an IP partner who previously served as in-house IP counsel at cannabis company, dosist. “The Haynes Boone team is able to view the complex landscape from multiple and practical perspectives.”
