WASHINGTON) February 24, 2006 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP has announced that Ann K. Ford has been named the managing partner of the firm’s office in Washington D.C., which is DLA Piper’s second largest office in the U.S.
In her new role, Ford will oversee the office’s strategic growth and general management. She succeeds Theodore D. Segal, who will continue to focus on representing clients in corporate transactions. Ford, a partner in DLA Piper’s Intellectual Property group, also chairs the firm’s Trademark, Copyright and Media practice in the U.S.
Ford said she plans to build on the many accomplishments achieved by Segal, including the successful launch of monthly client briefings that are held in Washington and feature key business and legislative leaders.
“I am enthusiastic about working with everyone in the D.C. office to maintain and build on the momentum that Ted established,” said Ford. “I am also deeply appreciative to have the opportunity to work with the many talented professionals who call this office home.”
DLA Piper’s Washington office serves as the base for more than 175 lawyers from several of DLA Piper’s core practice areas, including close to 100 professionals in DLA Piper’s well known Government Affairs practice.
During the first year following the firm’s January 2005 merger, more than 12 senior-level lawyers have joined the Washington office, including several well known legislators and agency leaders who joined the firm’s Government Affairs practice. Among those who recently joined the group in 2005 were former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt and John Veroneau, former general counsel to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Last week, the firm announced that Frank Menaker had joined the firm as a partner after serving as senior vice president and general counsel of Lockheed Martin Corp.
“In addition to being a skilled lawyer herself, Ann has developed strong relationships with the lawyers and professionals in the D.C. office and she understands the business and legal marketplace in and around Washington,” said Jeffrey F. Liss, co-managing partner of DLA Piper, U.S. “Throughout her career, she has proven that she is an energetic leader who has tremendous focus, determination, and dedication to excellence.”
In her practice, Ford counsels and represents significant companies to protect the integrity of their trademarks and other intellectual property, and has been recognized by her peers in the legal community. She is cited in the Guide to the World’s Leading Trade Mark Practitioners and listed in The International Who’s Who of Trademark Lawyers. In 2003, the Legal Times named her one of the top practitioners of intellectual property law in the Washington, D.C., region.
About DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (www.dlapiper.com) DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary has 3,100 lawyers and 58 offices in 22 countries throughout the U.S., U.K., Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia. It has leading practices in commercial, corporate and finance, human resources, litigation, real estate, regulatory and legislative, and technology, media and communications.
