US firm adds Colorado boutique with biotech practice

The move marks the firm’s second western merger this year | Joining firm has a strong presence in Denver and Asia markets.

Quarles & Brady has announced plans to combine with Adsero IP, a law firm based in Denver, Colorado.

The merger will be effective from March 1.

Adsero’s team includes 14 attorneys and patent agents experienced in several technology sectors.

Its biotechnology and pharmaceuticals practice includes three lawyers and one patent agent with PhDs.

The firm’s capabilities also include patent prosecution and portfolio development; the selection, clearance, registration and prosecution of trademarks; and structuring and negotiating deals for use of IP rights.

Adsero has extensive experience acquiring and enforcing IP rights in Asia, as well as litigating IP issues in federal courts across the country, before various administrative agencies and in alternative dispute resolution forums.

The firm handles IP work on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, startups and public sector organisations.

Adsero will transition to the Quarles name and its current managing partner,  Ian Saffer, will serve as the firm’s Denver office managing partner.

With this combination, Quarles will have approximately 520 lawyers across 12 US offices.

The opening of a Denver office marks Quarles’ second recent expansion in the western US, having established its presence in California this January through a combination with law firm  Paul, Plevin.

Commenting on the development,  Michael Aldana, firm managing partner and chair of the executive committee at Quarles, said: “Denver has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with vibrant telecommunications, software, energy, health care, life sciences and financial investment sectors.”

He described opening an office in Denver as a logical next step in the firm’s growth trajectory.

“Adsero's track record of growth and success over the past nearly 30 years, along with its team that brings significant experience guiding clients on their IP strategies, make them an ideal partner in the Denver market.”

Saffer said: “As our practices grew and diversified over the past five years, the advantages of a larger platform became evident.

“Quarles presented us with an ideal opportunity to help establish its presence in Colorado as we combine our two firms’ strong capabilities in IP, while maintaining our shared commitment to the individual needs of clients and providing exceptional service.

“We’re excited about the many opportunities to collaborate and leverage a national platform to enhance the value we provide to our clients, our people and our community.”

Brad Vynalek, Quarles firm president, said: “Combining with Adsero gives Quarles a strong presence in the ever-burgeoning Denver market and adds even greater depth to our IP practice group, which has spent more than 100 years helping clients achieve their business goals.

“We are proud to add Adsero’s exceptional team to our already robust IP group, which now includes more than 140 attorneys and business professionals across the US.”

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.