13 February – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Dechert LLP announced today that patent and intellectual property litigators James J. Elacqua, Bryan Farney, Stephen J. Rosenman, Andrew N. Thomases, Craig Y. Allison, Noemi C. “Nicky” Espinosa and Jonathan D. Baker, formerly with Dewey Ballantine LLP, have joined the firm as partners. With the addition of Farney, who is based in Austin, Texas, Dechert will open its newest global office. Elacqua, Allison, Espinosa, Thomases and Baker will join Dechert’s Palo Alto office, and Rosenman will join Dechert’s Washington D.C. office.
“The opening of the Austin office and the addition of this renowned team underscore our commitment to intellectual property,” said Barton J. Winokur, Dechert chairman. “Their focus on electrical, mechanical and life sciences patent litigation matches the focus of our IP litigators, and gives us tremendous additional depth and breadth in highly technical areas.”
James J. Elacqua, one of the leading IP lawyers in Silicon Valley, represents numerous Fortune 100 clients in the semiconductor, computer and life science industries. He is identified in Chambers USA as a “preeminent patent litigator”and “a leader in the field,” and has broad experience in patent litigation in the federal courts and before the International Trade Commission.
Bryan Farney focuses on patent litigation, cross licensing and strategic patent counseling. He has represented major technology corporations such as Gateway, Inc. and Verizon, Inc. in numerous patent infringement suits around the country and before the International Trade Commission. Bryan is a former law clerk to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Stephen J. Rosenman focuses on intellectual property enforcement, defense and litigation strategies, Trade Act Section 337 compliance, license negotiations and patent damages issues involving reasonable royalty and lost profit analysis. He has broad experience in patent litigation and is a specialist in proceedings before the International Trade Commission.
Andrew N. Thomases focuses on patent and trade secret litigation and patent appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit involving computer hardware, semiconductors, wireless and medical devices. Thomases clerked for the Federal Circuit from 1994 to 1995.
Craig Y. Allison, who holds a PhD in physics, represents clients in federal district courts, before the International Trade Commission, and in appellate cases. He also has expertise in international licensing and enforcement and regularly advises clients on complex patent licensing negotiations and patent portfolio analysis.
Nicky C. Espinosa focuses on intellectual property strategy, counseling and litigation within the biotechnology, medical devices and technology sectors. For several years, she was in-house counsel at Illumina, a life sciences company, where she advised on all aspects of intellectual property counseling and litigation.
Jonathan D. Baker, has a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from M.I.T., and is a graduate of Harvard Law School. He is an experienced IP litigator, focusing on the most technically complex cases in electrical engineering and related fields. Baker also clerked for the Federal Circuit.
“Dechert is focused, on a steady upward course, and committed to growing its intellectual property litigation capabilities” said Elacqua. “Their litigation and trial team is among the best in the country, and we are excited to be part of this. Together, we will simply be stronger.”
“This team’s reputation and litigation strength will add to our strong base in IP litigation in Palo Alto and at the same time allow us to expand into the large and growing Texas market,” said Martin J. Black, co-chair of Dechert’s intellectual property practice. “There are strong synergies between the practices, and we are very excited about the bringing the group on board.”
They join Dechert effective February 8, 2006. Dechert’s new Austin office is at Littlefield Congress Center, 106 East Sixth Street, Suite 900, Austin, TX 78701.
