In addition to rankings and awards, the IP STARS research team keeps a close watch on lateral hires in the market. So far 2020 has had no shortage of noteworthy people moves, detailed below with a roundup of hires and departures in the Americas since the New Year.
UNITED STATES
Latham & Watkins boosts DC office
Adam Perlman joined Latham & Watkins in its DC office from Williams & Connolly. He is experienced in patent litigation, particularly for pharmaceutical companies in Hatch-Waxman matters.
Life sciences litigators move to DLA Piper
Partners Ellen Scordino and Susan Krumplitsch left Cooley for DLA Piper recently. The duo of attorneys, based in Boston and Silicon Valley, respectively, are well-versed in pharmaceutical patent litigation.
Dickinson Wright nabs Ann Arbor group from Brinks Gilson
A group of IP attorneys, including four partners James Cleland, Steven Oberholtzer, Gerlinde Nattler and Michael Spink, joined Dickinson Wright from Brinks Gilson & Lione. The attorneys bring a host of experience in IP, including litigation, prosecution and transactions.
Ballard Spahr hires life sciences duo in New York
Margaret (Peg) Brivanlou and Kenneth Sonnenfeld joined Ballard Spahr from King & Spalding. The two partners are experienced in patent prosecution and strategy for clients in the life sciences arena.
Cooley adds to patent litigation bench with Finnegan hires
Following two notable patent litigation departures to DLA Piper, Cooley responded with the hiring of Sanya Sukduang and Jonathan Davies in its DC office. The two attorneys, well-versed in life sciences patent disputes, joined from IP mainstay Finnegan.
Axinn makes West Coast hire
Litigator Jeannine Yoo Sano joined Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider’s San Francisco office from White & Case. Sano brings experience in hi-tech patent litigation, complementing the firm’s expertise in life sciences disputes.
King & Spalding ups IP head count in Texas
King & Spalding added experienced IP litigator Steven Zager to the firm’s Austin office. He joins from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he formerly led the IP group from its New York branch.
Tabet DiVito loses one, adds another
Well known IP attorney Meredith Martin Addy left Tabet DiVito & Rothstein to start her own firm, AddyHart. Shortly after, Tabet DiVito brought in experienced litigator Bradford Lyerla from Jenner & Block.
Manatt adds tech patent litigators from Quinn Emanuel
Amar Thakur and Bruce Zisser joined Manatt Phelps & Phillips from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The California-based partners specialize in IP litigation for tech clients.
Locke Lorde makes hire in Chicago
Steven Trybus, who was notably shortlisted by Managing IP in 2019 for Illinois Outstanding Litigator of the Year in Illinois, recently moved to Locke Lord from Jenner & Block. Trybus was involved in the newsworthy CRISPR interference appeal last year.
Foley & Lardner nabs IP duo from Dentons
Gary Solomon and Eric Sophir joined Foley & Lardner as partners in the Dallas and DC offices, respectively. The two attorneys were previously partners at Dentons.
Ward Smith & Hill expands in Texas
Former Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld partner Chad Everingham joined Ward Smith & Hill in Longview. Everingham focuses on patent litigation, with particular expertise handling cases in the Eastern District of Texas.
Quinn Emanuel bolsters New York IP practice
Angus Chen recently joined Quinn Emanuel’s New York office from IP boutique Haug Partners. A PhD holder in biochemistry, Chen’s practice focuses on pharmaceutical disputes.
Merchant & Gould hires in Colorado
IP firm Merchant & Gould recently brought on James Beard as a partner in the firm’s Denver office. He joins from regional firm Sherman & Howard.
Rimon Law adds Jones Day partner
Dale Rieger, an IP attorney focused on patent prosecution and strategy, recently joined Rimon Law as a partner in San Diego. Rieger moves to the firm from Jones Day, bringing technical expertise as a PhD holder in organic chemistry.
Utah IP partner moves to local boutique
Patent attorney Gregory Baker recently joined Salt Lake City boutique Phillips Ryther & Winchester as a partner. Baker focuses his practice on patent strategy and counseling. He was previously a partner at TraskBritt.
Stinson boosts IP transactions practice with hire
Missouri-based firm Stinson added David Jennings as a partner from Armstrong Teasdale. Jennings is based in the firm’s St Louis office, where he will focus on IP transactions and counseling.
Iowa patent attorney moves firms
Glenn Johnson recently joined McKee Voorhees & Sease as a partner in Des Moines. Hailing from area firm Nyemaster Goode, Johnson is a registered patent attorney focused on IP litigation and counseling.
CANADA
Ron Dimock moves to Gowlings
Experienced IP litigator Ron Dimock recently joined Gowling WLG’s Toronto office from DLA Piper. He was previously a founding partner at IP firm Dimock Stratton before it was absorbed by DLA Piper in 2016. Dimock is a member of the IP STARS Hall of Fame.
Fasken makes big hire from Belmore Neidrauer
Fasken increased its patent litigation profile in Toronto with the hiring of Jason Markwell from Belmore Neidrauer. He is experienced in patent litigation, particularly for life sciences clients, and has been shortlisted by Managing IP in the Litigator of the Year award category.
Smart & Biggar increases Calgary presence
Borden Ladner & Gervais partner Evan Nuttall recently left the firm for Smart & Biggar, immediately boosting the IP boutique’s bench in Calgary. Nuttall focuses on IP litigation, and has represented clients in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
Blakes partners spin off to form IP boutique
A group of attorneys from Blake Cassels & Graydon, including five partners, recently left to form their own boutique CPST Intellectual Property. The attorneys include Santosh Chari, Anthony Prenol, Brett Slaney, Antonio Turco and Sarah O’Grady. The new firm is located in Toronto, where the five partners will be based.
Fogler Rubinoff hires partner from Gilbert’s
Toronto-based Kevin Shipley recently joined Fogler Rubinoff as a partner. Hailing from Gilbert’s, Shipley is a registered patent agent focused on patent strategy and counseling.
LATIN AMERICA
Kasznar Leonardos hires IP partner in Brazil
Maria Pia Guerra recently joined Kasznar Leonardos as a partner in the firm’s Rio de Janeiro office. Formerly of Herrero & Asociados, Guerra specializes in patent and trademark law.
Dentons expands in Mexico with Baker McKenzie hire
Sergio Legorreta recently joined Dentons in Mexico City from Baker McKenzie, where he was a partner. Legorreta will head the firm’s venture technology practice in Latin America and the Caribbean, drawing on his expertise in transactions and IP counseling.
Two IP attorneys open Mexico boutique
Two partners from Müggenburg Gorches y Peñalosa spun out from the firm to open Peñalosa + Donnadieu in Mexico City. The founders of the new boutique, Jean Yves Peñalosa Sol La Lande and Luis Enrique Donnadieu Macias, combine for 20 years of experience in IP litigation and other areas.
Dentons Larrain Rencoret brings in new IP group co-lead in Chile
Dentons Larrain Rencoret hired Mercedes Londoño from Clarke Modet & Co, boosting the firm’s Santiago offering. Londoño, who specializes in patent, trademark and copyright law, will co-lead the firm’s Chile IP practice group.
More firm news and people moves
Read our coverage of the recent moves in the Asia-Pacific region.
