MOVERS & SHAKERS

Who's hiring and who's moving?

Baker Botts welcomes two new partners

Baker Botts has hired two partners in its IP department in its Palo Alto office.

Peter Kang joins as a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Korea-based IP practice. Kang is a first-chair patent and IP trial lawyer who joins from Sidley Austin, where he practised for 17 years and represented clients in the technology sector.

He was the IP lead for that firm’s Korea practice and serves as president of the International Association of Korean Lawyers Charitable Foundation.

He advises in all areas of IP law for clients that range from Silicon Valley startups to multinational electronics manufacturers, especially from Asia.

“Pete’s impressive patent and IP trial experience will help us even further in meeting the increasing demands of our technology clients globally,” said Baker Botts managing partner John Martin.

“Pete has strong relationships with a range of technology clients and will add to our world-class capabilities in IP, trial and technology, which are a few of our premier specialties.”

“He has 30 years of patent and IP trial experience and has devoted his career to working with prominent technology clients on many of their most complex cases,” said Rob Scheinfeld, chair of Baker Botts’ IP department.

“He and the clients he serves are perfect strategic fits, and we are excited to welcome him to Baker Botts.”

Peter Kang

“He and the clients he serves are perfect strategic fits, and we are excited to welcome him to Baker Botts.”

The move follows the firm’s recruitment of Christopher Palermo from boutique law firm Hickman Palermo Becker Bingham, which he founded in 2000.

Palermo has more than 25 years of patent prosecution experience, advising companies in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning, e-procurement, security, networking, telecommunications, software and the internet.

He has managed large international trademark portfolios and copyright and open-source licensing matters.

“The addition of Chris provides us with even more scale to meet the increasing demands of our technology clients in the Bay Area and elsewhere,” said Martin.

“Roughly one-third of our revenue is derived from our clients in the technology sector, and the arrival of Chris adds strength to our already existing, world-class class IP platform as we further differentiate ourselves in this increasingly important industry,” he added.

“Chris brings comprehensive and impressive IP skills to Baker Botts, having worked with a range of leading technology clients on many of their most complex matters,” said Scheinfeld.

“He, and the many clients he services, provide an ideal strategic and cultural fit, and we are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

“Pete has strong relationships with a range of technology clients and will add to our world-class capabilities in IP, trial and technology.”

John Martin

Brown Rudnick hires Greenberg Gross partner

Brown Rudnick has strengthened its Orange County office with the addition of David Stein as a partner in the firm’s IP and commercial litigation practice group.

With more than 20 years of experience, Stein—who joins from Greenberg Gross where he also served as partner—focuses his practice on patent litigation.

Sunni Beville, managing director of Brown Rudnick’s dispute resolution and restructuring department, said: “David is a fabulous litigator who will be bringing a wealth of knowledge in IP and complex litigation stretching across a multitude of industries.”

“I am thrilled to join Brown Rudnick—the firm’s collaborative platform and specialised feel is an ideal fit.”

David Stein

Stein has handled more than 100 patent litigation cases across a range of technologies, including semiconductor devices and processing, medical devices, sporting goods, agricultural products, and retail and hospitality.

“I am thrilled to join Brown Rudnick—the firm’s collaborative platform and specialised feel is an ideal fit,” said Stein.

“The reputation, consistent quality service, strategic growth and key capabilities will broaden my practice and match up well with the needs of our clients. I look forward to being a part of this exceptional team.”

Squire Patton Boggs hires Paris pair

Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has hired Catherine Muyl as a partner and Marion Cavalier as an associate for its IP team in Paris.

Both previously worked at Foley Hoag. Muyl is a member of the Paris Bar and has more than 30 years’ experience in litigation concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, related rights, registered designs and software.

She has represented clients on trademark issues before the French and EU Trademark Offices as well as on domain name disputes. Her clients have included French companies and the French subsidiaries of US companies in industries including technology, media, aerospace, healthcare and fintech. Cavalier’s experience includes litigation in the technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences sectors.

“They bring to our table a depth of experience handling data protection issues for clients.”

David Elkins

David Elkins, Squire Patton Boggs’ global IP and technology practice group leader, said: “Catherine and Marion are multifaceted international practitioners who strengthen our European IP capabilities on both commercial and contentious matters.

“They bring to our table a depth of experience handling data protection issues for clients. These are strengths we intend to continue to grow and we welcome them to the team.”

Muyl said: “Many of my clients are US companies with activities worldwide. Squire Patton Boggs’ extensive international reach and practice provides a perfect environment to continue to meet their expanding needs.”

Carole Sportes, the firm’s Paris managing partner, said: “IP/IT is a strong focus of our firm, and it is a natural expansion for us to offer services in this field in France as a complement to our full suite of practices.”

The firm’s Paris office has approximately 45 lawyers; the IP and technology practice has more than 100 lawyers and patent agents.

Anaqua hires three to lead new law firm unit

IP service provider Anaqua has hired three industry veterans to head up its newly-launched business unit dedicated to the law firm sector.

Domenic Leo, who joins Anaqua as vice president and general manager, law firms, will lead the business unit.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the IP management industry, Leo joins from ipan/Delegate Group, where he most recently served as vice president of global solutions/market intelligence.

He will oversee the newly-acquired IP management software and practice automation business, O P Solutions.

Bob Romeo, CEO of Anaqua, said: “We are very excited that with the backing of our board we are making a significant investment in people, technology, and products to better serve the law firm sector’s IP management needs.”

Domenic Leo

Recent hires Jayne Durden and Joe Bichanich will join the team, as well as Mike Frechtman and Ethan Waters, who both became part of Anaqua with the acquisition of O P Solutions.

Durden, who is a trademark attorney and solicitor, joins the company as vice president of law firm strategy. She previously led CPA Global’s law firm strategy; before that, Durden worked at Ladas & Parry, Allens, and The Webb Law Firm.

Bichanich joins Anaqua as client director, global law firms. He most recently served as director of information technology and practice support at Michael Best & Friedrich and has more than ten years of legal and technology programme leadership.

Romeo added: “With the formation of this unit, and with this team in particular, we are strengthening our knowledge of the sector and our ability to understand and translate our law firm clients’ needs into effective market-leading solutions.”

“With the formation of this unit, and with this team in particular, we are strengthening our knowledge of the sector.”

Bob Romeo

Norton Rose Fulbright names new Riyadh-based partner

Norton Rose Fulbright has added IP lawyer Zayd Alathari as a partner to its Riyadh office.

He will join Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Norton Rose Fulbright’s Saudi affiliate.

Alathari joins from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), where he served as the company’s senior manager and IP counsel in the Middle East and Africa.

At SABIC, he was responsible for developing the chemical manufacturer’s global IP strategy and managing the company’s patent portfolio. He previously practised in Washington DC at Venable.

Zayd Alathari

“Zayd possesses a broad range of IP experience, with more than two decades split between a multinational corporation and a large law firm,” said Tim Kenny, global head of IP at Norton Rose Fulbright.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, partner in charge of the firm’s Riyadh office, added: “Zayd is an accomplished leader who excelled in managing SABIC’s comprehensive IP portfolio. He is well connected to major corporations in Saudi Arabia and respected throughout the Middle East.”

“With Zayd is an accomplished leader who excelled in managing SABIC’s comprehensive IP portfolio.”

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi

US law firm Nutter hires Mark Leonardo as partner

Mark Leonardo, who will be based in Nutter’s Boston office, has experience in various aspects of IP strategy, including commercial exploitation and management of patent and trademark portfolios, patent and trademark procurement, patent and trademark litigation, and opinion counselling on complex legal and technical issues.

“Mark is a seasoned and versatile IP lawyer who knows how to help companies and brands capitalise on their competitive advantages,” said Nutter co-managing partner Michael Scott.

Mark Leonardo

Nutter co-managing partner Liam O’Connell added: “Mark brings a unique combination of business acumen and IP expertise that will bolster our existing capabilities and benefit our clients. We are delighted to welcome him to Nutter.”

Prior to joining Nutter, Leonardo was a partner in the Boston office of law firm Brown Rudnick. Before that, he served as a patent examiner in the biomedical and medical device arts at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

“Mark is a seasoned and versatile IP lawyer.”

Michael Scott

Haynes and Boone hires former Time Warner TM counsel

Haynes and Boone has strengthened its trademark practice with the addition of Erin Hennessy as a partner in New York.

Hennessy joins from Bracewell, where she served as partner and head of the firm’s trademark and copyright practice.

She has previously been chief trademark counsel for Time Warner and board member of the International Trademark Association (INTA). Hennessy is currently acting counsel of the INTA board.

Purvi Albers, a member of Haynes and Boone’s board of directors, said: “Erin is widely respected among brand owners worldwide. Erin is known for taking wonderful care of clients and getting great results. She is such a fine lawyer and friend; we are thrilled that she is joining our team.”

“I look forward to helping the firm expand its nationally-ranked trademark practice.”

Erin Hennessy

Hennessy represents brand owners in the entertainment, media, retail, publishing, technology, fashion, financial services and energy industries. She focuses her practice on the full spectrum of trademark protection and enforcement services.

She said: “I have long admired the skill and depth of Haynes and Boone’s trademark group, and I’m excited to work with good friends.

“I look forward to helping the firm expand its nationally-ranked trademark practice and continue to grow the New York office.”

Allen & Overy hires Norton Rose IP disputes head

The head of Norton Rose Fulbright’s IP disputes group has rejoined Allen & Overy in New York, five years after leaving the firm.

Paul Keller, who also served as co-head of Norton’s autonomous vehicle international business group, rejoins Allen & Overy as a partner in the firm’s IP litigation practice.

Tim House, US senior partner at Allen & Overy, said: “As we further build out our US IP litigation practice, starting with Paul’s hire, Allen & Overy will be the only firm to offer scaled and high-quality capabilities in each of China, Europe, and the US, which represent the three most important IP markets in the world.”

“Allen & Overy will be the only firm to offer scaled and high-quality capabilities in each of China, Europe, and the US.”

Tim House

Keller focuses his practice on patent and trade secret matters in the automotive and fintech spaces. He said that although the timing of his move was unusual, given all that surrounds COVID-19, “the changes and innovations that will likely take place because of the current crisis may match, if not surpass, those stemming from the 2008 financial crisis”.

Keller added that he was “thrilled” to rejoin the firm at a time of growth and added investment, and he looked forward to working with the firm’s global network to support its clients through this “challenging time and on the complexities and challenges to come”.

Issue 3, 2020


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