Morgan Lewis boosts patent practice in California

Morgan Lewis & Bockius has expanded its IP practice by adding a team of patent prosecution and litigation lawyers from McDermott Will & Emery.

Based in Orange County, California, the team will be led by nine partners, eight of whom have been announced: Mark Itri, Christopher Bright, Michael Dreznes, Todd Hales, Karen Laub, Andrew Mickelsen, John Magluyan, and Nathan Smith.

Overall, the new patent team will comprise more than 40 of counsel, associates, patent agents, technical specialists, and docketing personnel.

The new partners all have scientific or engineering backgrounds. as well as experience in advising clients on their businesses outside of the US.

Between them, their expertise includes global licensing negotiations, due diligence, litigation, US International Trade Commission disputes, post-grant proceedings, portfolio development, and utility and design patent protection.

They have represented clients across the pharmaceutical and technology industries, managing matters related to the semiconductor, software, medical devices, and data analytics industries.

Seven IP partners joined Morgan Lewis last month from McDermott Will & Emery.

Jami McKeon, chair of Morgan Lewis, called the arrival of the new team a “transformative moment for our firm and our clients”.

“The longstanding relationships our new partners have with their colleagues who arrived earlier this summer pave the way for a seamless transition that will result in coast-to-coast advantages for our clients doing business in technology, life sciences, and other cutting-edge industries,” she added.

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