Industry moves and mergers
Greenberg Traurig has expanded its IP practice with the addition of Woodrow H Pollack as a shareholder in the Tampa office. Pollack exclusively handles IP matters, with a particular focus on litigating complex trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret and other IP disputes. He also has extensive experience in both trademark and patent prosecution and licensing.
Robin L McGrath
Robin L McGrath has joined Duane Morris as a partner in the firm’s Atlanta office. McGrath concentrates on litigating all aspects of trademark, patent and copyright disputes, as well as IP counselling. Cindy Yang – who focuses on trademark, patent and copyright litigation, US and prosecution and licensing – has also joined the firm as a partner in the New York office.
Cindy Yang
Peer B Petersen
Bird & Bird has announced the appointment of media and entertainment lawyer Peer B Petersen as a partner in its Copenhagen office. Petersen has extensive experience with licences, sponsorships and other IP agreements, and advises several sports organisations on the commercial exploitation of sports rights, both nationally and internationally.
Dyan House
Dyan House has joined Baker McKenzie’s North America IP practice in Dallas as counsel. House represents clients before the US Patent and Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and advises on domestic and international brand protection across a range of industries, including restaurants, retail, financial services, energy, technology and consumer products. In addition to her trademark work, she assists clients with structuring franchise disclosure documents and advises on franchise regulatory matters.
Bristows has announced the addition of Simon Clark and Ian Gruselle to its brands team. Both have moved from Berwin Leighton Paisner and will be joined by a team of seven. Subject to regulatory approval Gruselle will be the firm’s first trademark attorney partner, heading up a combined team of eight trademark attorneys.
Arent Fox has welcomed commercial litigator John S Purcell as a partner in the Los Angeles office. Purcell joins the firm’s complex litigation practice, where he will focus on class actions, intellectual property, media and commercial litigation. His IP practice includes litigation involving trademarks, copyright, patent, idea theft and unfair competition.
Kevin E Cadwell has joined Akin Gump as a partner in its IP practice in Houston. Cadwell – who handles complex commercial litigation matters with a focus on IP litigation – joins from Reed Smith, where he was a partner. His IP litigation work is primarily focused on trademark, patent copyright, trade secret and trade dress litigation.
Hoge Fenton has expanded its IP practice, with Lee Lueddemann joining the firm’s Tri-Valley office. Lueddemann has experience in prosecuting and protecting trademarks, patents and copyright in the United States and internationally, particularly on behalf of companies in the software, science and technology sectors. He also serves as outside general counsel for many of his clients, providing advice and counsel in business and tech transactions and portfolio management.
Robert Lockwood
Robert Lockwood has joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in its IP department. Previously a partner at Burr & Forman, Lockwood focuses on the management of IP portfolios, advising clients on trademark licensing and prosecution, trade dress, copyright, domain name and technology issues.
Frommer Lawrence & Haug has unveiled a change of name to Haug Partners. The firm – whose core competencies encompass intellectual property, antitrust and transactional law – has also opened a new office in Boston.
Robb Roby
Knobbe Martens has announced the opening of a New York City office, with partner Robb Roby relocating from Orange County to serve as managing partner. Roby will be joined in the New York office by Tom Yee, Dan Fischer, Zach Hong and Mitchell Hadley, among others.
Tom Yee