Seyfarth Shaw Adds Patent Litigation Team to IP Practice Group in Los Angeles

Patent Litigation Trial Attorney Breton A. Bocchieri Joins As Partner

Los Angeles, CA (January 26, 2009)—Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America's leading full-service law firms, today announced that a team of patent litigation attorneys headed by Breton (Bret) A. Bocchieri joined Seyfarth's Intellectual Property Group in the firm's Los Angeles office. Prior to joining Seyfarth, Bret was a partner and co-chair of the IP Practice Litigation Group at Thelen LLP. Brien B. Kirk and Nguyen Huu Nguyen, both of whom were associates at Thelen, also join Bret at the firm.

"Bret is a creative, highly credentialed and well-respected trial lawyer. We are thrilled to have him and his team join the firm," said Brian L. Michaelis, Chair of Seyfarth Shaw's Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Bocchieri is widely recognized for his work on complex patent matters and his emphasis on technology-driven litigation, which has focused on electronic, computer, and Internet-related technology. His practice also includes trademark, copyright, cyber-piracy, trade secret, and intellectual property related antitrust litigation. He has established a number of important precedents in patent law and is a noted author and lecturer on patent litigation strategy and tactics. Among his numerous legal victories, Bocchieri won the largest award to date in a cyber-piracy case: $117 million (Qwest Communications Int'l v. One Quest). He is frequently quoted in the legal and national media outlets on patent issues and has been featured on national broadcast media as one of the country's leading experts in his field.

Seyfarth Shaw’s Litigation Department, comprised of more than 180 attorneys in offices throughout the United States, helps clients with every aspect of their dispute resolution needs, nationally and internationally. Seyfarth's litigators have significant depth and breadth of resources, a commitment to deliver high quality, cost-effective services and a detailed knowledge of clients’ industries and business concerns. The group is composed of experienced and talented trial and appellate attorneys whose insights valuably serve their clients in both boardrooms and courtrooms. Seyfarth Shaw's Intellectual Property Practice Group provides full-service capabilities for intellectual property procurement, transactions and enforcement, in a wide range of technologies and business sectors.

"We are delighted to welcome Bret and his team to our office," stated Kenwood C. Youmans, Managing Partner of Seyfarth Shaw's Los Angeles Office. "These attorneys share our commitment to client service and teamwork and are excellent additions to our firm."

Bocchieri earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers College, Rutgers University and his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center. He has served in leadership roles for the California State Bar, including as a member of the Executive Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section and editor of its IP Law Journal and he now serves as an advisory editor. Bocchieri was admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office while attending law school.

Kirk received his B.A.S. with honors in Biochemistry and Economics from the University of California, Davis. He earned his J.D. from U.C. Davis School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in California. Nguyen earned his B.S.E. from Tulane University and his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center. He is admitted to the California Bar and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"Seyfarth has a terrific IP practice in L.A. with great strengths in trademark and trade secret litigation, trademark prosecution and counseling as well as patent, copyright and sports law litigation,” Bocchieri said. “The firm also provides a highly developed complex and large case litigation practice supporting well over a 100 lawyers in Los Angeles and over 200 in California. We are very excited to be joining Seyfarth's L.A. office and to become a part of their national IP litigation platform. Our patent litigation clients will benefit greatly from the extensive resources the firm provides."

Seyfarth Shaw has over 750 attorneys located in nine offices throughout the United States including Chicago; New York; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Houston; Los Angeles; San Francisco and Sacramento; as well as Brussels, Belgium. The firm provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation and business services. Seyfarth Shaw’s practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the country’s business and social fabric. Clients include over 300 of the Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, newspapers and other media, hotels, health care organizations, airlines and railroads. The firm also represents a number of federal, state, and local governmental and educational entities. For more information, please visit www.seyfarth.com.