IP Partners Joel Lutzker and Len Sorgi Join Sheppard Mullin's New York Office
Patent Specialists to Capitalize on Firm's Presence in China
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 22, 2007) - Joel E. Lutzker and Leonard S. Sorgi have
joined the New York office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP as
partners in the firm's Intellectual Property and China practice groups.
Lutzker will head the New York office's Intellectual Property practice
group. Lutzker and Sorgi previously practiced together at Schulte Roth &
Zabel LLP in New York, where Lutzker served as the chair of the firm's IP
practice group.
Lutzker and Sorgi's practice is focused on patent and other intellectual
property litigation, transactions, counseling and prosecution. Lutzker and
Sorgi have successfully litigated and tried patent, unfair competition and
trade secret cases in the United States International Trade Commission and
in numerous district and appellate courts in diverse technical fields.
"Joel and Len are top-flight IP litigators who handle major technology
product disputes. Their focus on litigating patent matters on behalf of
Asian-based companies dovetails well with the firm's global growth plans
for our IP practice group," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm. "Our
clients will benefit from the group's extensive experience and impressive
backgrounds. We are thrilled to have such a stellar team join our ranks."
"Although based in New York, Joel and Len are well-known U.S. patent
attorneys in China and frequently travel to China to speak on intellectual
property issues," commented David Huebner, the Shanghai-based head of the
firm's China practice. "Their reputations and clients accelerate our
already rapid growth in China, and position Sheppard Mullin as the go-to
firm for Chinese companies facing high-stakes patent disputes in the U.S."
Commented Lutzker, "With a national platform and a Shanghai office,
Sheppard Mullin allows us to better serve our clients and further grow our
practice. Asian companies are a significant component of our practice and
the firm's plans for China are very impressive."
"I am enthusiastic about joining the firm with Joel. We look forward to
expanding the firm's East Coast IP practice and leveraging the firm's
Shanghai footprint," Sorgi said.
Lutzker and Sorgi join Sheppard Mullin as the firm prepares to celebrate
its first year in China with a gala reception and dinner in Shanghai on
Oct. 24. Lutzker will lead a high-level panel discussion at the event on
the future of intellectual property investment and development in China.
The panel will include other experts such as Dr. Wu Jiahuang, who helped
negotiate China's entry into the WTO and now serves as advisor to the State
Council.
"We are excited to have this team onboard," said Amar Thakur, co-chair of
the firm's Intellectual Property practice group. "Their practice is an
exceptional fit for the firm, as we are committed to growing our IP
practice and in particular our patent litigation practice in New York and
Washington D.C. Joel's technology clients and China focus have a number of
synergies with the firm's strategic plan for its IP group."
Sheppard Mullin's Intellectual Property practice group has 52 attorneys.
Earlier this year, partner Ted Max and special counsel Charles LeGrand
joined the firm's New York office as members of the IP practice group and
the Fashion Apparel team. Max and LeGrand previously practiced at Mintz
Levin in New York. Also this year, Intellectual Property attorney Ping Chu
joined the firm's Shanghai office. Chu was previously in-house counsel at
Warner Home Video.
Lutzker earned a J.D. from New York University, School of Law in 1975 and a
B.A. in Physics, cum laude, from New York University in 1972. Sorgi earned
a J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School in 1987 and a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering from Polytechnic University in 1982.
About Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 500
attorneys in 10 offices located throughout California and in New York,
Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. The firm's California offices are located
in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County,
Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Founded in 1927 on the principle that the
firm would succeed only if its attorneys delivered prompt, high quality and
cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullin provides legal counsel to
U.S. and international clients. Companies turn to Sheppard Mullin to
handle a full range of corporate and technology matters, high stakes
litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's
clients include more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. For more
information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Joel Lutzker
(212) 332-5025
Len Sorgi
(212) 332-3835
Ralph Richardson
(213) 617-5542