McGuireWoods gains two life sciences patent litigators
Law firm McGuire Woods has hired IP litigators Michael Nutter and Merritt Westcott, for its Chicago and Houston offices, respectively.
Both lawyers join from Winston & Strawn and bring experience of litigating life sciences patent disputes.
Nutter will become head of McGuireWoods’ pharmaceutical and life sciences patent litigation group.
He represents generic drug companies in patent infringement matters involving Hatch-Waxman abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) biosimilar applications.
Nutter also advises on strategies for developing and launching generic pharma products, and helps clients resolve ANDA-related matters before the FDA. These include labelling and active pharmaceutical ingredient issues, patent listing disputes and issues involving new drug and marketing exclusivities.
In addition to also handling ANDA and biologics patent cases, Westcott litigates patent disputes in other technologies, including medical and clinical devices, mass storage systems, computer software, cloud-based communications platforms and oil and gas exploration technology.
She represents clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and provides IP counselling in transactions.
“Mike and Merritt are go-to trial lawyers for pharmaceutical patent disputes and will be outstanding additions to our Hatch-Waxman patent litigation practice,” said Dave Finkelson, chair of McGuireWoods’ IP litigation and transactions department.
“Both of them excel at helping companies devise strategies to navigate patent challenges and bring products to market.”
“Mike and Merritt are talented and respected trial lawyers who strengthen our patent litigation bench in key markets,” said Dion Hayes, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner for litigation. “Their experience and industry knowledge will have enormous benefits for our clients.”
Nutter is the fifth partner to join McGuireWoods’ Chicago office this year, following the additions of antitrust litigator Holden Brooks, healthcare partner Rubin Pusha, product liability litigator Patrick Clyder and deal lawyer Jason Griffith.
“Mike adds an important dimension to our litigation practice in Chicago and we are delighted to welcome him,” said Christina Egan, managing partner of the Chicago office.
Westcott’s arrival continues McGuireWoods’ growth in Houston and follows the recent addition of litigation partner Jeremiah Anderson.
“Merritt enhances our IP litigation capabilities and strengthens our reputation as a top-tier law firm,” said Yasser Madriz, managing partner of the firm’s Houston office.
“Her addition is part of our firm’s unwavering commitment to growth in Houston and the rest of the Texas market.”
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