Knobbe Martens is pleased to announce that Chambers & Partners has ranked the firm in the Patent Prosecution and Life Sciences categories in its 2017 “Chambers USA” guide.
Chambers highlighted the firm’s strong patent portfolio work, including prosecution, and its work performing due diligence for corporate transactions, as well as its experience in handling PTAB proceedings including inventorship disputes and post-grant reviews. Chambers noted that during the selection process, clients remarked that they “continue to be very, very impressed with the team,” describing Knobbe Martens attorneys as not only “proactive” and “disciplined”, but also “strategic, technical and efficient.”
In addition, the 2017 Chambers USA regional rankings include three partners: Gerard von Hoffmann, Salima Merani, Ph.D. and Joseph Re, and one recently retired partner, Ned Israelsen. Both von Hoffmann and Merani were ranked in the Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation category; Re was ranked in the Intellectual Property: Patent category and Israelsen was ranked in the Intellectual Property: Patent Prosecution category. In addition to this year’s recognition, von Hoffmann, Merani and Re have all been honored by Chambers in the past.
von Hoffmann, who heads the firm’s Medical Device practice group and works primarily with startups and venture capital firms, was recognized for his strategic guidance on the development of significant patent portfolios as well as for his assistance with IP due diligence on corporate transactions. Peers interviewed by Chambers described him as the “go-to” person on all prosecution matters. In 2016, von Hoffmann led the IP diligence in 16 equity financings cumulatively valued at $356 Million, an acquisition valued at $380 Million and an IPO with a current market cap in excess of $800 Million. von Hoffmann also manages www.KnobbeMedical.com.
Merani, who is consistently recognized by both US and international publications as a favorite of venture capital firms and for her proven track record of success with start-up companies, was recognized by Chambers for her deep experience managing patent and trademark portfolios, leading patent due diligence, and litigating USPTO first-to-invent disputes. She successfully represented a client last year in an inventorship dispute at the PTAB, and has been lead IP counsel in deals valued at well over $1 billion in just the last few years. Peers described Merani as an exceptional strategic adviser.
Re was recognized for his patent litigation success for his hi-tech, software and medical device clients. Chambers highlighted the firm’s successful litigation for client Masimo with regard to its pulse oximetry products. In one case, having obtained a $466 Million verdict for Philip’s infringement of Masimo patents, Re and Masimo concluded all litigation with Philips. As a result, Masimo entered into a multi-year business partnership with Philips and received $300 Million. Peers described Re as a bright litigator who presents his cases very well.
“Chambers USA” covers 45 different practice areas on a national and regional level. Rankings at state-level are based upon the location in which a firm or lawyer practices regardless of the location of its clients, deals and cases. The publication also focuses on law firms that have a national presence and are also ranked in Chambers’ Nationwide tables. The ranking of lawyers and law firms is conducted by a team of more than 140 researchers located in the UK and depends on several factors and considerations including interviews with clients, peers and assessing the recent work done individually and as a department as a whole.
To view further details on Knobbe Martens firm and individual rankings, please visit the Chambers & Partners website here.
About Knobbe Martens
Consistently ranked among the top intellectual property firms in the nation and worldwide, Knobbe Martens has over 300 lawyers and scientists nationwide and dedicates its practice to all aspects of intellectual property and technology law, including litigation. Knobbe Martens serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. The firm is headquartered in Orange County, California, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., and enjoys an international reputation for excellence. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com.
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