Iancu returns to Irell and firm expands into East Coast with DC office

Andrei Iancu has joined his former firm Irell & Manella as a partner after serving as director of the USPTO. Beginning his term in 2018, Iancu also acted as undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property. He will now resume his practice focused on IP litigation and counseling from the firm’s Los Angeles office. Prior to Iancu’s appointment he was managing partner of Irell & Manella.

Additionally, the firm opened an office in Washington, DC to complement its already-established West Coast offering. This location will be spearheaded by Iancu, who is joined by counsel Philip Warrick, a former associate solicitor at the USPTO.

 

Brinks Gilson merges with Crowell & Moring

Chicago-based IP boutique Brinks Gilson & Lione has merged with DC-based firm Crowell & Moring as of late June. The combination adds 61 IP and tech attorneys to the firm’s ranks, bringing Crowell & Moring’s total to more than 625 attorneys. The merger will also add presences in Chicago, Indianapolis and Shenzen, China.

 

Allen & Overy boosts US footprint, adding in DC and Silicon Valley

UK-based firm Allen & Overy hired eight IP partners in the US in August, bolstering the firm’s DC office and expanding in the West Coast with a Silicon Valley location. The partners were hired from White & Case, and include current IP Stars Shamita Etienne-Cummings, David Tennant and Bijal Vakil.

 

White & Case adds established life sciences patent litigator in New York

Peter Armenio, a well-known trial lawyer focused on ANDA litigation and pharma disputes, has joined White & Case’s New York office as a partner from Quinn Emanuel. He was previous co-head of Quinn Emanuel’s life sciences practice, an area that will continue as the primary focus of his practice. Armenio is currently ranked as a Patent Star.

 

Perkins Coie hires PTAB expert in Washington DC

PTAB-focused attorney Lori Gordon recently moved from King & Spalding to Perkins Coie, joining as a partner in the firm’s DC office. Gordon is well-known for her work in the post-grant arena, and has participated in more than 220 PTAB proceedings. She is currently ranked as a Patent Star and is one of the Top 250 Women in IP.

 

Latham continues IP litigation hiring streak with addition in New York

Anthony Sammi recently joined Latham & Watkins as a partner in the firm’s New York office and as vice chair of the firm’s IP group. He joined the firm from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, where he was a partner. Sammi focuses his practice on litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets. He is currently ranked as a Patent Star.

 

Desmarais continues to build PTAB strength with Ropes & Gray hire

IP boutique Desmarias recently hired Gabrielle Higgins as a partner in the New York office. Higgins joined the firm from Ropes & Gray, where she was a partner focused on post-grant proceedings at the PTAB. This hire comes after the recent addition of ex-WilmerHale attorney Yung-Hoon (Sam) Ha last year, who also focuses on the area.

 

Life sciences duo joins McCarter & English from Mintz Levin

Kathleen Carr and David Conlin recently joined McCarter & English’s Boston office from Mintz Levin. Both partners focus on patent matters in the life sciences arena.

 

ANDA litigator joins Neal Gerber Eisenberg in Chicago

Emer Simic, formerly a partner at Green Griffith & Borg-Breen, recently joined Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Chicago office, bolstering the firm’s expertise in ANDA litigation for pharmaceutical companies. Simic is currently ranked as a Patent Star.

 

Trademark partner moves to Foley & Lardner from Cooley

Former chair of Cooley’s trademark and advertising practice Jeffrey Greene rejoined Foley & Lardner, where he was a partner from 2007 to 2017. His practice focuses on trademark prosecution and brand management. He is currently ranked as a Trademark Star.

 

 

More firm news and people moves

Read our previous roundup: Asia-Pacific and Europe here.