Adeel Akhtar

IAM Research

The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.

Recommended - Individuals: prosecution

Recommended - Individuals: transactions

Lauded by patrons, Knobbe Martens “has a huge depth of talent and experience and is collaborative, always bringing the best talent for the particular problem it is trying to solve. They are creative when it comes to tough problems and have a relaxed, informal culture, but are hardworking at the same time.” Solely focused on intellectual property, the firm offers A-to-Z patent services, boasting a roster of attorneys dedicated to each stage of the patent life cycle. Daniel Altman and Joseph Re are noteworthy names for patent protection needs, with Altman succeeding on Tokyo Ohka Kogyo’s behalf in having claims by Fujifilm deemed unpatentable by the PTAB. Re leverages decades in the field and has carved a niche in technology cases, recently securing a win against Apple on behalf of Masimo Corporation, alongside Sheila Swaroop. “Sheila is a skilled litigator with a great capacity to listen carefully and collaborate objectively with the client. She works well with others in the firm to produce the best results for clientele. Sheila is persuasive and incisive without being offensive, and is a complete professional. She understands and articulates the most complicated of arguments, and is always a pleasure to work with.” A dependable partner to have on your team in contentious matters across the United States and internationally, Irfan Lateef “does solid work and provides good value. He has a calm demeanour, which is an asset in stressful situations.” A trusted partner when it comes to major acquisitions and transactional matters, Michael Christensen makes his debut in the rankings this year as “a detail-oriented, knowledgeable and strategic partner, with significant technical patent-related knowledge”. Christensen often teams up with Salima Merani, and they make an august pair, securing considerable financing and a major acquisition for Augmedics, both of which bolster the company’s ability to maximise its innovative work in the augmented reality market. “Salima has extensive knowledge on patent counselling and risk assessment, including due diligence matters. She is also a beacon for women in life sciences, and champions diversity.” Working with patrons to maximise their patent portfolios, Kimberly MillerGerard von HoffmannMichael Fuller and Adeel Akhtar can all be looked to for expertise across patent procurement and transactional matters. A smart choice for international portfolio development, Miller boasts experience in patent prosecution in almost 50 jurisdictions; Hoffmann is a partner to medical device companies, helping them to build secure patent portfolios that can be asserted and protected against competitors; while Fuller and Akhtar’s aptitudes lie in technology, tailoring patent strategies to their clients’ specific needs. Another newcomer to the rankings this year, Terry Tullis focuses his practice on patent prosecution, building resilient and innovative portfolios on behalf of his following across multiple jurisdictions. Joseph Reisman is predominantly focused on patent prosecution, but his knack for pharmaceutical patent matters is also sought out in contentious matters, including in two recent cases for India-based medical device company Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technology. Eli Loots and Eric Furman can also be enlisted for life sciences matters, with Loots leveraging a PhD in molecular and cell biology to provide insightful counsel both in procurement and inter partes review strategies, and Furman’s laboratory work experience equipping him to understand the intricacies of a number of different life sciences areas. Turned to by companies of all sizes, John King is committed to helping his following establish their place in their market through patent procurement and prosecution. Also on the roster, Jason Jardine is praised for his “technical expertise and experience” in the biotechnology field, offering patent procurement counsel and acting as a strategic partner to his patrons. Sabing Lee receives accolades from satisfied patrons: “Sabing is a highly proactive part of our IP team, who understands commercial execution and planning to help expand our business footprint. His attention to detail is unparalleled and his understanding of market dynamics is incredibly helpful. His ability to forecast competitive activity and required pre-emptive action is remarkable and has provided additional barriers of entry.”

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