Steven Lipman, IP Litigator and Former Senior Attorney to USPTO Commissioners and Solicitors Joins Seyfarth Shaw’s Boston Office

Contact:
Kevin Livingston, National Director of Public Relations
(212) 218-5272, klivingston@seyfarth.com

Lipman has litigated more than 90 IP cases, including matters before the ITC and Federal Circuit; frequently handles Hatch-Waxman matters involving generic drugs

BOSTON (November 10, 2010) – In a noteworthy addition to its intellectual property practice, Seyfarth Shaw LLP welcomes IP litigator Steven E. Lipman as of counsel to its Boston office. A former senior attorney to several Commissioners of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Lipman has litigated more than 90 cases in 21 states during his career in private practice. He joins Seyfarth from a partnership position at the New York office of former intellectual property firm Darby & Darby P.C.

Lipman’s litigation background includes both domestic and international IP cases, with a focus on matters brought under the 1984 Hatch-Waxman Act, which was designed to ease the introduction of generic drugs to market while incentivizing research and development by pharmaceutical companies. His clients, a number of which are based in Europe and Japan, include pharmaceutical companies, software developers and medical device manufacturers. In addition to litigating utility patents, Lipman has tried cases involving design patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, in addition to antitrust and contract disputes related to intellectual property assets.

He has represented parties in more than 20 cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission in Section 337 investigations, which can prohibit importation of goods into the United States that infringe U.S. intellectual property rights, including patent rights. 

Lipman spent 10 years with the USPTO, rising from patent examiner to senior attorney for the Assistant Commissioner for Patents. He also served with the PTO’s Solicitor, representing the patent office in federal district court and before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the principal U.S. court for patent appeals. Earlier he worked as a primary patent examiner. Lipman subsequently represented clients in these venues as well, in patent, trademark, copyright, international trade, and other cases.

“Steve adds tremendous versatility to our group – as a skilled litigator who has handled cases before the most important IP venues, including the ITC and Federal Circuit, and as a former senior member of the USPTO, with invaluable experience as an examiner, trial counsel and also a senior administrator,” said Brian L. Michaelis, the Boston-based chair of Seyfarth’s Intellectual Property practice group.

“Steve’s experience handling key Hatch-Waxman Act cases is especially welcome,” Michaelis added. “In addition to working with companies in multiple industries, Steve has represented clients in vital markets in Europe and Asia, where so much major IP work is originating these days.”

“Steve shares our commitment to team work and superior client service, in addition to an appreciation for sophisticated, legal service delivery models,” said Russell B. Swapp, managing partner of the firm’s Boston office. “He is an excellent addition to the firm and we look forward to working with him.”

Lipman has written and spoken extensively on IP topics including patent reexamination, electronic discovery in patent cases, and practicing before the ITC. A graduate of Rutgers University with a B.S. in Engineering, he received his J.D. from Catholic University of America. He is a founding member and former president of the International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association.

“Seyfarth Shaw has a powerhouse litigation platform – and a growing profile in IP,” Lipman said. “I’m excited about harnessing my IP practice at the firm and helping enhance Seyfarth’s visibility and reach in patent and other types of IP cases. I’m also expecting significant opportunity to help the firm’s clients in all manner of IP counsel, including advising on matters related to aspects of Hatch Waxman.”

Seyfarth Shaw has over 750 attorneys located in 10 offices throughout the United States, including: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., as well as Brussels, Belgium. Seyfarth Shaw provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, corporate, and real estate. The firm’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.