DLA Piper adds top-tier patent team to its Intellectual Property & Technology practice

DLA Piper is expanding the depth and breadth of its Intellectual Property & Technology practice group with the addition of a top-tier patent team that includes partners Peter Yim, Christopher Eide, Brian Ho, Randy Omid, Michael Swett and Parker Kuhl. They are joined by 24 attorneys and six agents and technical advisors and will be based primarily in the firm’s San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Seattle offices.

The team is well known and highly regarded in the industry as thought leaders in patent strategy and procurement, managing the most important patent portfolios for some of the largest and most sophisticated companies in Silicon Valley and the world. They have a proven track record on domestic and international patent procurement, IP strategic planning, technology litigation support, and patent diligence across a wide array of technologies. Their portfolio of clients encompasses cutting-edge technology companies, both large and small, in a wide range of technology areas.

The group’s deep bench and extensive experience in patent litigation, through trial and beyond, spans the globe, including actions in Australia, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the UK. They also provide IP support and analysis for clients involved in public offerings, financings, M&A and other corporate transactions, in addition to regularly providing strategic IP counseling.

“This industry-leading group brings to the firm a vast understanding of the patent landscape in an increasingly competitive global market, and their geographical reach will be an asset to our clients wherever they do business,” said Larissa Bifano, chair of DLA Piper’s US Patent Prosecution practice. “We look forward to incorporating them to our team and introducing them to our clients.”

“Our firm is dedicated to further developing and strengthening our IP & technology presence and bringing on this premier team of lawyers embodies the firm’s commitment to growing our capabilities in this sector,” said Sean Cunningham, DLA Piper’s global co-chair and US chair of the firm’s IP & Technology practice group. “We have the deep resources to support the technical nature of the group’s work, and we’re excited to see their practice grow through our global platform.”

DLA Piper’s Patent Strategy practice has significant experience in global patent application drafting and prosecution, and patent litigation and licensing around the world, with offices in over 40 countries and a network of local firms in additional jurisdictions. Our lawyers help clients – spanning major global corporations, emerging companies and innovative institutions such as manufacturers, service providers, and universities, among others –navigate developments in patent legislation, from the new Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court in Europe, to FRAND licensing for standard essential patents, or the role of AI as an inventor. We focus on strategic prosecution and help with post-issuance proceedings such as inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews.

DLA Piper's global Technology sector lawyers work across practice areas and offices to support technology clients – from startups to fast-growing and mid-market businesses to mature global enterprises – doing business around the world.