Wilson Sonsini hire boosts IP and life sciences prowess
Firm appoints new partner with ‘extensive’ in-house and experience | Move follows key office move to Colorado where life sciences sector ‘flourishing’.
US law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has appointed William (Bill) Barrett as a partner in the patents and innovations department in the firm’s Boulder, Colorado office.
Barrett, who joined Wilson Sonsini in July, has focused his practice on technology and IP law for more than two decades.
He formerly built the legal function for three biotechnology companies—Nobex, GRAIL, and Illumina—and founded boutique IP law firm TechNomos in 2019.
At GRAIL (a spin-off of Illumina in San Diego) Barrett led a ten-strong IP team that focused on developing and executing the company’s global IP strategy, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
While at GRAIL, Barrett’s remit included drafting and negotiating clinical research agreements, IP licences, and collaborations; handling a variety of regulatory issues; and leading legal and IP diligence for the firm’s $1.2 billion Series B financing round, as well as its 2017 merger with Hong Kong-based Cirina.
Prior to joining Illumina in 2013, Barrett joined a Duke University start-up called Advanced Liquid Logic, where he helped to build a portfolio of more than 350 patents and applications in digital microfluidics. After the company was acquired by Illumina, he was asked to lead Illumina’s IP team.
Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini, said of the appointment: “As the life sciences sector continues to flourish in Colorado, we anticipate there will be ongoing opportunities to assist clients in the area that need sophisticated IP advice in addition to our corporate and regulatory counsel.
“With his extensive in-house life sciences and private IP practice experience, Bill will be a fantastic resource for our entrepreneur, company, and investor clients in Colorado and elsewhere. He’s developed a strong base of life sciences contacts in the Bay Area, Research Triangle Park, and Canada. We’re pleased to welcome Bill to the firm.”
In February this year, Wilson Sonsini announced plans to open an office in Boulder, from which it would support the region’s thriving life sciences businesses and other growth enterprises.
The firm represents a range of start-up and established life sciences clients in Colorado that fall into several sectors, including drug discovery; biotech, genomics, and proteomics; screening and diagnostics; medical devices and supplies; pharmaceuticals; health services; and agtech and foodtech.
Commenting on his new post, Barrett said: “Since I’ve been in the life sciences field for some time, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with so many exceptional attorneys at Wilson Sonsini, including Vern Norviel, Maya Skubatch, and other members of the firm’s patents and innovations team.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to continue working with innovative life sciences clients and collaborating with the team in Boulder to help the firm expand its client base in Colorado and other life sciences markets.”
Barrett earned his JD from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1997, and a BS in biology from the University of North Carolina in 1993. He also earned a Professional Certificate in genetics and genomics from Stanford University in 2018. He is admitted to practice in Colorado and North Carolina, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
From 1986 to 1991, Barrett served in the United States Air Force in Japan, England, and Saudi Arabia, where he specialised in information technology. He received the John Levitow Award for outstanding leadership, as well as an Air Force Achievement Medal for outstanding achievement and meritorious service.
Barrett is the lead co-author of the book, “iProperty: Profiting from Ideas in an Age of Global Innovation” (Wiley & Sons, 2008).
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.
