Industry moves and mergers

EUIPO has confirmed that Christian Archambeau has taken up the role of executive director. He previously served as deputy executive director of the EUIPO, a role in which he had direct oversight of the finance department, the infrastructure department, the IT department, the EUIPO Academy and the office’s quality, performance and risk activities. For reaction to his appointment see page 5.

Partner Janet Wong has been appointed head of Dorsey Whitney’s Greater China IP group. Wong has over a decade’s experience in handling wide-ranging IP matters in Greater China and boasts expertise in formulating brand protection strategies, managing trademark portfolios and handling IP-related transactions for both local and multinational clients. Wong also regularly advises on anti-counterfeiting and other IP enforcement actions.

Levenfeld Pearlstein has announced that Paula Jill Krasny has joined the firm as a partner in its IP group. Krasny has 30 years of experience providing and implementing strategic solutions to businesses seeking to build, protect and monetise global brands and other IP assets. Previously a partner at Baker McKenzie and McDermott Will & Emery, Krasny also serves on the board of the Anti-Defamation League (Greater Chicago Upper Midwest Region).

Stefan Schuppert has been made Hogan Lovells’ new managing partner for Germany. The role is a new one for the firm and was established because the firm’s German practice represents 11% of global revenue and nearly 50% of revenue from continental Europe; it also acts for many of the firm’s key clients. The region comprises over 450 lawyers, including 93 partners, who cover the full suite of the firm’s services, including intellectual property. Schuppert is an IP lawyer with a background in both German and US law.

Michael R Graif has joined Mintz as a member in the New York office. Previously chair of the IP practice at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt Mosle, Graif focuses his practice on trademark enforcement, technology transactions, patent and trademark portfolio management, social media law, publicity rights, licensing and copyright matters. He has experience preparing and negotiating licensing, development and joint venture agreements relating to computer software, know-how, trademarks and other technology.

AWA has made a number of senior hires, including Richard Lewinson – most recently senior group legal counsel and IP subject matter expert at the Tetra Pak Group – and Martin Jansson, who has joined Gothenburg-based AWA Strategy from SKF, where he managed a global team responsible for developing and implementing the company’s IP strategies and intellectual asset management capabilities. Joakim Hammarsjö has also rejoined the Gothenburg office as team leader for the chemical/mechanical team.

Sarah Lenoir has joined Clyde & Co as a legal director. Hired to develop the IP/IT and data protection practice in the firm’s Paris office, Lenoir focuses her practice on intellectual property, emerging technologies and data governance. She joins from French law firm Lexing Alain Bensoussan, where she was a director in the IP, IT and data department.

Crowell & Moring has announced the addition of Gunther Meyer as senior counsel in the firm’s IP group in Brussels. With nearly 20 years’ experience, Meyer will advise clients on IP rights, transfer of technology and trade secrets (including know-how protection). He joins the firm from Eversheds Sutherland, where he led the Brussels IP practice.

Robert C Freed and Conrad A Hansen have joined Dykema’s Minneapolis office to bolster its IP practice. The move sees local firm Moore & Hansen, the first IP firm to open in Minnesota, effectively shut down after 130 years, according to the StarTribune. In a statement, Freed said: “This is a natural next step for Moore & Hansen as our clients and their legal needs have continued to evolve along with those of the region’s predominant industries and technologies. Dykema’s national platform will allow us to expand our services to clients.”

Shawn Kolitch and Thomas (TJ) Romano have announced the formation of a new IP firm, Kolitch Romano LLP. Located in Portland, Oregon, the new firm will serve both a US and an international client base, specialising in strategic protection, monetisation and enforcement of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret rights.