New York Office Expands with Two New Intellectual Property Lawyers
NEW YORK (October 21, 2009) — The New York office of McDermott Will & Emery LLP is pleased to welcome Joseph R. Robinson and Robert Schaffer as its newest partners. Messrs. Robinson and Schaffer focus their practice on patent prosecution, patent litigation and transactional work predominantly within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. They join McDermott from Darby and Darby.
“We are thrilled to welcome Joe and Bob to our New York office and our worldwide intellectual property department,” commented Terry McMahon, head of the Firm’s global Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department. “New York is a very important market for intellectual property and for our Firm. Joe and Bob are extremely focused on delivering excellent client service by utilizing our Firm-wide resources and talent. We are very excited to have them join our team.”
Keith Pattiz, partner-in-charge of the Firm's New York office said, “Joe and Bob are not only outstanding litigators, but they are also extremely talented patent counselors and will be a tremendous asset to our clients in developing patent portfolios that protect our clients’ research and products. They are a great addition to our global team.”
“Intellectual property law is an international practice. McDermott appealed to us for its cross-border IP team and its broad spectrum of technical capabilities, lawyers with advanced technical degrees, multi-lingual capabilities and an unmatched level of client service. We couldn’t be happier to be joining the Firm,” commented Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schaffer.
Mr. Robinson has substantial experience in patent litigation, counseling and procurement in biotechnical, pharmaceutical, chemical and mechanical technologies. His practice also encompasses trademark procurement, counseling and litigation. Mr. Robinson is particularly involved with international and multi-national matters. He makes frequent trips to Europe and Japan to lecture on the international effects of the recent developments in U.S. intellectual property.
Mr. Robinson also has extensive experience in litigating patent matters and counseling in areas such as recombinant molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, enzyme technology, electrochemistry, food chemistry, organic chemistry, textiles, complex paper handling machinery and in Hatch-Waxman issues. Additionally, he has procured patents covering inventions in a wide range of fields. He has actively participated in the negotiations and drafting of license agreements in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical areas, and in the area of brand licensing.
Mr. Schaffer concentrates his practice in IP counseling, management and litigation including patent procurement, strategic planning and dispute resolution; primarily for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, computer software companies, and new media firms. He regularly handles domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios and due diligence studies for clients, including major U.S. corporations and high-technology ventures.
Mr. Schaffer litigates patent disputes in the district courts and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His cases include ANDA matters, a high-profile Federal Circuit appeal involving human growth hormone, complex Patent Office interferences and disputed patents in the Internet and telecommunications fields.
“McDermott has a premier intellectual property practice built on our commitment to delivering exceptional IP services to our clients. We look forward to working with Bob and Joe, who will undoubtedly make significant contributions to further advancing the department’s practices,” said John Hankins, co-vice chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department and co-head of the Firm’s Patent Prosecution Practice Group.
Mr. Robinson earned his J.D., cum laude, from Pace University and his B.S. in biology from The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Schaffer earned his J.D. from New York Law School, his M.F.A. from New York University School of the Arts, and a B.S. in life sciences (biochemistry) as well as a B.S. in writing and literature from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Our Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department includes more than 180 lawyers and patent agents working in all of our offices throughout the world. We are renowned for our trial and appellate experience, and are ranked as one of the strongest IP litigation firms for both plaintiffs and defendants. Our practice in procurement and licensing in the patent, trademark and copyright areas is recognized for its depth and breadth. Rounding out our intellectual property, media and technology services, the team provides client counseling and advice regarding trade secret, unfair competition, advertising, entertainment and computer law. Additionally, we work closely with our transactional and tax lawyers on the intersection of IP and corporate issues.
