Dr. Scott Smith has joined Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP as a partner in the firm’s new Silicon Valley office, opening in September 2011. Smith, a patent attorney who also holds a medical degree, will focus his practice on medical device counseling for an array of companies. Immediately prior to joining the firm Dr. Smith served as Vice President, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs at Pulmonx, a medical device company developing minimally-invasive technologies for treating pulmonary disorders.
Knobbe Martens’ new office in Silicon Valley is in close proximity to the firm’s growing client roster, which includes clients in the medical device, biotechnology, high-tech and venture capital industries.
“Expanding our presence into the hub of the medical device industry is a natural move for us,” said Steven Nataupsky, managing partner of Knobbe Martens. “This expansion will allow the firm to better serve our existing clients in the region as well as accommodate the firm’s continued growth.”
Dr. Smith has worked as in-house and outside counsel for medical device start-up and publicly traded companies in a wide range of specialties, including pulmonology, otolaryngology (ENT), spine, orthopedics, cardiovascular, neurostimulation, robotic surgery, laser eye surgery, gastroenterology and orthodontics. Before working at Pulmonx, Dr. Smith served in Vice President and Director roles at Acclarent (ENT medical device company, acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2010 for $785,000,000), Baxano (spine surgery medical device start-up company), and Align Technology (publicly traded orthodontics company). Prior to going in-house, Dr. Smith worked as a patent attorney in the medical devices group of a large Silicon Valley IP law firm.
“Scott brings with him a unique combination of skills – he holds a medical degree and has many years of insider experience as in-house counsel,” said medical device partner Gerard von Hoffmann, who will also maintain an office in Silicon Valley. “His extensive industry and start-up experience will be a valuable asset for our clients and will bring added depth to our team.”
The new Silicon Valley office and addition of Dr. Smith will enhance Knobbe Martens’ focus on clients in the medical device industry. In 2010, the attorneys of Knobbe Martens launched KnobbeMedical.com as a free resource for entrepreneurs, executives, clinicians, researchers, investors and corporate board members who are exploring a start-up, joint venture or spin-off in the medical device industry by providing vital resources and knowledge in one easily accessible location. For more information, visit www.knobbemedical.com
About Knobbe Martens
With over 275 lawyers and scientists nationwide, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP dedicates its practice to all aspects of intellectual property law including litigation. Consistently ranked among the top intellectual property firms worldwide, Knobbe Martens serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. Headquartered in Orange County, California, Knobbe Martens has additional offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., and will open a new Silicon Valley office in September 2011. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com