Hogan Lovells hires pair of patent litigators
Both attorneys have ‘exceptional experience’ in life sciences and previously practised at Dechert.
Hogan Lovells has added life sciences patent litigators Howard Levine and Jennifer Swan as partners in the firm’s global regulatory and IP, media, and technology (IPMT) practice group and its life sciences and healthcare sector.
Levine will be based at the firm's Washington, DC office, while Swan will join its Silicon Valley team. The duo both join from Dechert.
Celine Jimenez Crowson, who leads the firm’s IPMT practice in the Americas, said: “Howard and Jennifer are both highly regarded life sciences patent litigators who bring exceptional experience in an industry that is a significant focus for the firm. We’re thrilled to have them.”
Levine has advised on some of the most complex and valuable biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent litigation matters in the past 30 years and has been at the forefront of legal developments in this space, including the precedent concerning the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112.
He has been lead counsel in district court litigations throughout the country and in appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Levine also has extensive experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation, successfully representing numerous brand pharmaceutical companies.
Swan is a leader in enforcing and defending patent rights in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. She has extensive experience representing companies in patent litigation and in the chemical and biotechnology areas.
She has experience assisting life science start-ups in strategic counselling. Swan has participated in numerous appellate proceedings at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and was a Federal Circuit clerk.
Swan has been involved in some of the most significant recent developments in patent law, including joint infringement, and has lectured internationally on the topic of patent law.
Commenting on the appointments, Lynn Mehler, global co-lead for the firm’s life sciences and healthcare industry sector group, said:
“Howard and Jennifer’s arrival adds in-demand IP strength at a time when many of our life sciences clients are involved in complex Hatch-Waxman litigation and matters involving the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112, among other matters. With their stellar reputations as patent litigators, we are excited to welcome them to our team.”
Levine said: “I’m excited to be joining Hogan Lovells, a global leader in life sciences and pharmaceutical work. The firm has an unparalleled regulatory practice in this sector, which brings crucial support to clients in this space as they develop and bring their products to market.”
Swan added: “As one of only a few firms to have a truly integrated global platform, Hogan Lovells is a great place to continue to grow a practice, at a time when clients are increasingly faced with cross-border and multijurisdictional challenges in the life sciences sector.”
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