Partners Tom Cowan and Curtiss Dosier Named Co-Chairs of Group
IRVINE, CALIF., May 17, 2023 – Knobbe Martens, one of the world’s leading intellectual property law firms, announced today that it has named new leaders for its mechanical engineering practice group.
Tom Cowan, a partner in the firm’s San Diego office and a former aerospace engineer, and Curtiss Dosier, an Orange County-based partner and former automotive engineer, have taken over as heads of the practice group. They replace partners Robert Roby and Ed Schlatter in the roles. Both Mr. Roby, who also serves as managing partner of the firm’s New York office, and Mr. Schlatter remain with the firm.
Knobbe Martens’ mechanical engineering group comprises nearly 70 lawyers and scientists from across the firm with deep experience across a broad scope of technologies and industries, ranging from aerospace to automotive, construction, manufacturing, medical and more. Many of the group’s members hold advanced degrees and possess hands-on engineering backgrounds and skills.
Commenting on the appointments, Knobbe Martens managing partner Steven Nataupsky said, “I thank Robb and Ed for their years of service in leading this group, which features an exceptionally deep bench of talent across our firm. Both Tom and Curtiss are skilled lawyers and bring substantial engineering backgrounds and previous leadership experience to these roles. I know they will excel and continue to build on the growth and success of our mechanical engineering group.”
Mr. Cowan advises clients around the globe in aerospace, mechanical and medical technologies. He provides counsel on overall IP strategy, performs IP audits, prosecutes patents and trademarks, conducts pre-litigation enforcement of IP rights, negotiates licenses, and conducts offensive and defensive diligence such as patentability and infringement studies. A former aerospace engineer with experience at NASA and Northrop Grumman, Mr. Cowan, who holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, supplements his deep legal experience with advanced technical abilities in a wide range of inventive domains.
“I am thrilled to take on this role,” Mr. Cowan said. “Our clients operate at the cutting edge of a vast array of industries, and we are proud to have a team that does the same. I look forward to working with Curtiss to continue building and growing the group while providing the sophisticated counsel and advice our clients rely on.”
Mr. Dosier represents clients in a wide range of mechanical engineering-related technologies. He has extensive experience in automotive and power sport technologies, bicycle technology, sporting goods, construction, medical devices and clean technology. He frequently advises clients regarding complex utility and design patent prosecution, and has significant experience in foreign patent prosecution. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Dosier worked as a project and costing engineer in the automotive industry.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Dosier said, “Knobbe Martens’ mechanical engineering group is a standout practice at the firm, and it’s a tremendous honor to be able to work with Tom and build on the group’s success. Our focus will be on continuing to recruit top-tier talent to the group and ensuring that we are ideally positioned to help our clients protect their innovative, groundbreaking work.”
About Knobbe Martens
Knobbe Martens is a highly respected intellectual property law firm, offering legal services in all aspects of intellectual property and technology law. The firm’s litigation group handles cases throughout the U.S. and coordinates strategy for disputes worldwide. Founded in California in 1962, the firm has about 300 lawyers and scientists based in offices located in Orange County, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. Knobbe Martens serves a diverse international client base, from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com.
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