MOVERS AND SHAKERS MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Russell Slifer: USPTO
Mary Sooter:
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale
New deputy director at USPTO revealed
T e US Department of Commerce has appointed a new deputy director of the US Patent and Trademark Offi ce (USPTO). Russell Slifer has taken on the role aſt er
Michelle Lee, the former deputy director, was confi rmed as the new director earlier this month. T e position of
director had been
vacant for more than two years aſt er David Kappos stepped down in January 2013. Slifer previously worked as the director of
the USPTO’s regional offi ce in Denver. He has practised intellectual property law for 20 years. He also spent eight years as chief patent counsel for semiconductor company Micron Technology. Confi rming the appointment, US secretary
of commerce Penny Pritzker said: “Russell has an impressive track record of success across several disciplines and will be a tremendous asset to the USPTO.” Slifer began his new role on March 25
and the USPTO said it will “work swiſt ly” to appoint a new director for the Denver offi ce.
“Sooter is a patent litigator with experience in electrical engineering, telecoms and computer science.”
94
WilmerHale adds three partners in Denver
Law fi rm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr has added three partners to its IP team in Denver. Natalie Hanlon Leh, Mary Sooter and
Benjamin Fernandez join as members of the litigation/controversy and IP departments. Hanlon Leh is a trial lawyer with experience in patent cases. She also has a background in
World Intellectual Property Review May/June 2015
Benjamin Fernandez: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale
trademark, copyright, trade dress and trade secret litigation. Sooter is a patent litigator with experience in
electrical engineering, telecoms and computer science. Fernandez focuses on a combination of
prosecuting patents and managing portfolios. He specialises primarily in medical devices and consumer products. Robert Novick, co-managing partner of
WilmerHale, said: “We are very proud to have Natalie, Mindy and Ben joining the fi rm, and are excited to expand our pre-eminent IP litigation and IP practices.”
Bird & Bird appoints new head of IP team in Australia
Law fi rm Bird & Bird has added a partner to its IP team in Australia. Jane Owen joins from K&L Gates and will
lead the fi rm’s IP practice in Sydney. Owen has assisted companies in the education, healthcare and life sciences industries with protecting and commercialising their IP portfolios. Shane Barber, managing partner at Bird &
Bird Australia, said: “Jane’s appointment is the next milestone in the dynamic development of Bird & Bird in Australia and in the broader Asia Pacifi c region.”
Perkins Coie hires ex-Time Warner IP counsel
Law fi rm Perkins Coie has added an online IP specialist as a partner in its Washington, DC offi ce.
www.worldipreview.com
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