Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 25 Biotechnology and Life Sciences Attorneys of 2024. This distinguished group of legal professionals combines deep expertise in law with leading sector experience and advanced academic backgrounds in biotechnology, molecular biology, and other life sciences fields. Their unique blend of legal and scientific knowledge enables them to provide unparalleled guidance across a wide range of legal issues, from patent litigation and intellectual property matters to complex regulatory compliance and strategic corporate transactions.
With a solid foundation in various scientific disciplines, these attorneys have proven they are well-equipped to handle the legal intricacies of the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Whether they are negotiating critical deals, managing intellectual property portfolios, or litigating complex disputes, they help protect both businesses and consumers, accelerating breakthroughs and ensuring that life-changing innovations reach those who need them.
Among this year’s awardees, Rebecca Martin, Partner at Jones Day, stands out for her leadership in healthcare fraud litigation, successfully defending life sciences companies against high-stakes investigations and False Claims Act matters. Tasha Gerasimow, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, is recognized for her groundbreaking work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology litigation, particularly her success in defending against major antitrust and patent disputes. David Schwartz, Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, is noted for his expertise in capital markets and corporate governance, advising life sciences companies on IPOs and strategic transactions that drive growth and innovation.
This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical nomination process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Biotechnology and Life Sciences Attorneys of 2024.
1. Haran Viswanathan
Partner, Baker McKenzie
Haran Viswanathan is a Partner in the Corporate Transactions Practice Group in Baker McKenzie’s Toronto office. Baker McKenzie is a business law firm that offers legal advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity, corporate restructuring, acquisition finance, financial services, capital markets, securitization, and structured finance. Viswanathan is a member of the Student Recruitment Committee for the Toronto office and an active participant in the firm’s pro bono initiative.
Viswanathan has a corporate and capital markets practice with a focus on public and private financings, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and other transactions by both private and public companies in sectors including healthcare and life sciences, tech, gaming and natural resources/mining. Viswanathan also routinely advises management and the boards of public companies on corporate governance and public reporting matters.
Previously, Viswanathan was a legal counsel at Frontera Energy Corp. Viswanathan graduated from the University of Toronto with a JD and from York University with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
Haran Viswanathan's Insight
“As an M&A and Capital Markets Attorney in the Biotech and Life Sciences sector, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact our work has on society. Every transaction and strategic decision we facilitate not only drives innovation but also contributes to advancements that can improve and save lives. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts help bring groundbreaking treatments and technologies to those who need them most, making a tangible difference in the world.”
2. Rebecca Martin
Partner, Jones Day
Rebecca Martin is a Partner at Jones Day, a global law firm with more than 2,400 lawyers in 40 offices across five continents. Martin is a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, with decades of experience in investigations and litigations involving the federal False Claims Act, New York and other state false claims acts, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, FDCA, and other regulatory and privacy matters.
She regularly represents clients facing qui tam complaints and in other matters before the Department of Justice, state Attorney General Offices, and local regulatory bodies. The clients Martin serves include private equity sponsors and portfolio companies, government contractors, medical device and diagnostic companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, multistate physician practices, digital health providers, academic medical centers and hospitals, and home health agencies.
Martin has obtained highly favorable results in litigations and government investigations in FCA and other civil and criminal fraud matters. A recognized thought leader in the field, Martin writes and speaks regularly regarding FCA and fraud and abuse issues. Previously, Martin was a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery. She earned a JD from Rutgers University, a master’s degree in English literature from New York University, and an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Northwestern University.
3. Tasha Gerasimow
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Tasha Francis Gerasimow is a Partner in Kirkland & Ellis’ Chicago office. Kirkland & Ellis is a law firm that provides legal advisory services in the areas of corporate transactions, intellectual property, restructuring, and tax. The Kirkland & Ellis Foundation provides financial support to non-profit, charitable, and law-related organizations serving a wide range of communities, initiatives, and people.
Gerasimow is a skilled litigator whose practice focuses on intellectual property and life sciences issues. She has worked on several landmark decisions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, including successfully defending against a $10 billion antitrust allegation and reversing one of the largest patent damages verdicts ever awarded.
With a background in scientific research, including a PhD in chemical biology and a master’s degree in organic chemistry, along with her robust litigation experience, Gerasimow finds critical pressure points to design and execute creative legal strategies. Previously, she was an associate at Fish & Richardson P.C. Gerasimow’s proficiency in science and technology ensures that her clients, including individuals, midsize organizations, and multinational corporations, are well-positioned to solve their legal challenges.
Tasha Gerasimow's Insight
"As an attorney with a deep passion for science and technology, I am continually inspired by the dynamic relationships I form with colleagues and clients. Each day presents new opportunities to grow and learn, allowing me to stay at the forefront of legal and technological advancements while fostering meaningful connections within the industry.”
4. Ben Pensak
Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Benjamin H. Pensak is a Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius. He counsels clients on technology transactions and related corporate matters, primarily in the life sciences industry. Ben represents international and U.S.-based public and private companies and institutions, and his clients include biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, digital health, and medical informatics companies.
Ben advises clients on negotiating and structuring acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, corporate partnering, licensing, and other complex collaborations. He also drafts and negotiates day-to-day technical contractual arrangements. He is the deputy leader of the firm's life sciences transactions practice.
In his transactional work, Ben handles arrangements related to discovery, development, manufacture and supply, marketing, and outsourcing for life sciences companies and other innovative and developed technology companies. He also works with research organizations and institutions.
Ben Pensak's Insight
"Figure out how to make the pie bigger in a negotiation. When it seems like a situation is zero-sum, look to additional variables so that everyone can get a win. It sets a contract up for successful negotiation and execution if everyone feels like they’re getting some wins and that the other side is listening to them."
5. Lila Hope
Partner, Cooley
Lila Hope is a Partner in Cooley’s life sciences transactional group and co-chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative. Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. Cooley has more than 1,300 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe, and a total workforce of nearly 3,000.
For over 20 years, Hope has focused on the representation of life sciences companies discovering, developing, and marketing pharmaceutical, vaccine, medical device, diagnostic and digital health products. Hope specializes in transactions involving complex intellectual property, business, operational and legal issues, including strategic partnerships and platform discovery and option deals.
Hope also counsels clients’ management, operational and legal teams on day-to-day matters involving licensing, supply, distribution, clinical trials, research collaborations and vendor services. She also is routinely involved in the evaluation of a company’s product rights and operational risks in connection with financing, public offering and M&A transactions. In addition to her long-established practice in the U.S., Hope maintains an active practice in cross-border licensing transactions, and she has concluded more than 30 transactions involving Asian biotechnology companies since 2015.
Hope holds a JD from Duke University School of Law and a PhD in cancer biology from the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Lila Hope's Insight
“I have the dream job of helping my biotech clients get their deals across the finish line. The innovative technology involved in these transactions, the complex legal and commercial considerations, the often tricky process of threading the needle to get a deal done, and the transformative impact of our work on young biotech companies, all come together to make this work challenging, intriguing and highly rewarding. It is a real privilege to journey along these smart and sophisticated deal teams, share the dedication and some humor along the way, experience firsthand the hope and excitement after deal signing, and see over time how these deals help bring new technology and medicine to patients.”
6. David Schwartz
Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
David C. Schwartz leads the corporate and business transactions practice in the Princeton office of Morgan Lewis & Bockius and holds leadership positions in the firm’s capital markets public company practice and biotech and beyond industry team. David regularly advises a broad range of clients in the life sciences, healthcare, and technology industries, with a particular focus on capital markets transactions, SEC reporting and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic transactions.
David works with clients of all sizes, including startups and growth businesses, publicly held middle-market companies, venture capital and private equity firms, strategic investors, and underwriters. He regularly advises clients in connection with IPOs, follow-on offerings, at-the-market offerings, private investments in public equity, and registered direct offerings, in addition to venture capital, private equity, M&A, going-private, and other strategic transactions.
David also acts as counsel for both public and private companies at various stages of development, providing general corporate representation and advice to boards of directors and management concerning corporate governance matters. Previously, he practiced as an associate at Morgan Lewis, and returned to the firm after working as a Partner at another global law firm and helping to establish its New Jersey office. There, he served as a member of its national leadership group of the U.S. emerging growth and venture capital practice.
David is a frequent panelist on topics involving venture capital, public offerings, corporate governance, and M&A transactions. While attending law school, David worked in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Philadelphia regional office.
7. Christina Macdougall
Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Christina Macdougall is a Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, a law firm providing comprehensive litigation, merger and acquisition, finance and restructuring, regulatory, intellectual property, and employment and benefits legal services to corporate clients in many industries and markets. They craft and execute business- and industry-specific strategies that address the full scope of clients’ challenges and opportunities in the courtroom, in the boardroom, within the workforce, and in government and policy matters.
MacDougall brings an active background in the life sciences, chemistry, and healthcare to her intellectual property (IP) practice. She advises clients on patent counseling, global prosecution strategies (including portfolio management), opinions, and due diligence in the life sciences and related technology fields. This includes conducting invalidity and patentability searches and analyses for biochemical, molecular biological, and pharmaceutical products and processes. Clients rely on Macdougall to draft patent applications and analyze patent landscapes regarding competitive diligence and freedom to operate.
Before joining Morgan Lewis, Macdougall was an associate at another major law firm. There, she counseled clients that included startups, international biotechnology and drug discovery companies, and academic institutions, among others. While working toward her PhD, Macdougall studied complex issues related to DNA damage recognition, and as an undergrad, she examined the cellular growth of prostate and other forms of cancer.
Macdougall graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law with a JD, from Stanford University with a PhD in chemical and systems biology, and from Boise State University with an undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology.
Christina Macdougall's Insight
“Never stop learning and being curious – clients expect thorough and rigorous legal analysis, but they especially appreciate when that is coupled with creativity. As a former scientist turned attorney, keeping that curiosity element alive helps me not only with continuing to enjoy my career, but also helps me effectively address client needs.”
8. Scott Memmott
Partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Scott is a Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, where he routinely assists clients with government self-disclosures and assesses, designs, consults on and implements mandatory and voluntary compliance and integrity programs for healthcare entities and for life sciences companies, from small pre-commercial startups through global pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, including negotiating and implementing Corporate Integrity Agreements with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Scott also counsels pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers on compliance matters associated with new product launches; state drug price transparency reporting laws in the United States; the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act; and other transparency reporting, gift ban, and compliance program requirements under state law. In addition, Scott performs regulatory due diligence for transactions in the healthcare industry.
Before entering private practice, Scott defended claims against the U.S. government as a trial attorney in the civil division at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and prosecuted federal criminal matters as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. He conducted federal grand jury investigations, supervised federal law enforcement investigations, and served as lead counsel in jury trials in federal courts throughout the United States.
Scott also advises clients on navigating government investigations and developing comprehensive compliance programs. His practice covers a range of healthcare laws, including the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Stark Law, helping clients address regulatory challenges and mitigate risks.
9. David Peloquin
Partner, Ropes & Gray
David Peloquin is a Partner in the health care group at Ropes & Gray, where he advises clients on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues related to clinical research and associated activities. Peloquin counsels academic medical centers, life sciences companies, information technology companies and other clients that sponsor, support and conduct research.
With a broad client base and knowledge of a range of laws and regulations, from the Common Rule and FDA regulations, to HIPAA and GDPR, to state and federal fraud and abuse laws—Peloquin offers clients clear, practical advice on how the complex legal landscape intersects with an array of research activities. Peloquin graduated from Yale Law School with a JD and from Carleton College with an undergraduate degree in economics.
David Peloquin's Insight
“The thing I like most about being a health care attorney is that we can help our clients navigate a complex regulatory landscape to bring new treatments to market and increase the quality of patient care.”
10. Michael Shuster
Partner, Goodwin Procter
Michael Shuster is a Partner in Goodwin’s Life Sciences group, providing strategic intellectual property advice to biotechnology, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other life sciences companies. Goodwin is a global law practice that represents investors and entrepreneurs in a technologically advanced economy.
Shuster handles an array of IP matters, including patent prosecution, portfolio analysis, due diligence, litigation, and opinion work, for clients ranging from startups to established biotechnology companies, venture capital firms, and research universities and hospitals. He also provides IP evaluation and counseling for companies raising and investing growth capital, executing strategic partnerships and M&A transactions, and going public.
Leveraging a background in science, Shuster has advised extensively on IP issues related to immunotherapy, antibody technologies, microbiome-based technologies, ag biotechnology, biologics, gene therapy, therapeutic vaccines, synthetic biology, small molecule therapeutics, and drug formulations, among other complex technologies.
Prior to joining Goodwin in 2019, Shuster co-headed the Life Sciences group at Fenwick & West. Shuster graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law with a JD, from Columbia University with a PhD, and from Brandeis University with an undergraduate degree in biophysics.
Michael Shuster's Insight
“Looking back over my career, I’m happy to say that I’ve never had an existential crisis; there is so much meaning in the work we do and the good that our clients accomplish by alleviating suffering and providing hope to patients. I’m lucky to be a part of this remarkable industry.”
11. Karen Spindler
Partner, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Karen Spindler is a Corporate Partner in the San Francisco office of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, where her practice focuses on advising life sciences companies and investors on a variety of intellectual property transactions. Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm that advises clients on significant transactions and disputes. Spindler represents the full spectrum of companies in the life sciences sector, including companies operating in the areas of pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics and medical devices.
Before joining the firm, Spindler was a Partner at Goodwin Proctor for several years in its San Francisco office. Prior, she was a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis in its San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. Spindler received her law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University.
Karen Spindler's Insight
“Our transactional practice is nationally recognized for its expertise in advising both public and private life sciences companies on high-stakes collaborations and licensing matters across diverse product categories. Clients rely on us for guidance on transformational deals—whether monetizing research platforms and clinical assets or expanding product pipelines with new opportunities. Our innovative and business-focused approach makes us a trusted partner for navigating complex transactions.”
12. Ryan Murr
Partner, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Ryan Murr is a Partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Murr is a leading practitioner in the life sciences industry, advising companies and investors across a range of transactions. Murr currently serves as co-chair of Gibson Dunn’s Life Sciences Practice Group, as well as co-partner-in-charge of the firm’s San Francisco office. Previously, he served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Management Committee.
Murr has over 25 years of experience representing public and private life sciences companies and investors in connection with securities offerings and business combination transactions. He regularly serves as principal outside counsel for publicly traded companies and private venture-backed companies, advising management teams and boards of directors on corporate law matters, SEC reporting, corporate governance, and M&A transactions.
Previously, Murr was a Partner at Ropes & Gray and before that a Partner at Goodwin Procter. Earlier in his career he worked with Heller Ehrman as a Partner. Murr earned a JD from the University of San Diego, a master’s degree in international relations from the University of San Diego, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon.
Ryan Murr's Insight
“We are fortunate to be trusted by our life sciences and investment fund clients to advise on their most complex matters, including M&A transactions, capital markets, corporate governance, and royalty finance. In the life sciences market, we are recognized for substantive expertise, deep industry knowledge and creativity. This combination has created a national destination practice for innovative life sciences transactional work.”
13. Michael Wise
Partner, Perkins Coie
Michael Wise is a highly regarded patent partner and firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Life Sciences and Healthcare Industry Sector. With over 30 years of experience, he handles district court patent litigation, inter partes review, and interference matters before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also assists clients with patent portfolio management and complex contested patent matters in the life sciences industry. Michael litigates a wide variety of technologies, including biologic and small molecule therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, software, and electronics.
14. Kenji Funahashi
Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Kenji Funahashi is a corporate law Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, based in Los Angeles. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati serves as legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide, representing companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them.
Funahashi works on a wide range of corporate finance matters, from start-up companies obtaining angel financing to multi-billion dollar transactions for multinational and Fortune 500 companies. Ken’s practice focuses on technology (AI, AR/VR, CPG, CRT, cybersecurity, e-commerce, esports, gaming, IoT, mediatech, fintech, blockchain, SaaS) as well as life sciences and healthtech (biologics, digital health, diagnostics, genomics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals). He has handled more than $10 billion in financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and IPOs.
Previously, Funahashi was a Partner at Squire Patton Boggs and before that a Partner at Jones Day. Earlier in his career he worked with Morrison & Foerster as an of counsel. Funahashi earned a JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School, an MBA from Wisconsin School of Business, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kenji Funahashi's Insight
“I am honored to be considered as a finalist for The Top Biotech and Life Sciences Attorneys of 2024. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with exceptional founders and investors who are passionate about making the world a better place by dedicating their lives by supporting breakthrough research in biotech and life sciences technologies.”
15. Anne Toker
Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Anne Toker is a Partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, a business litigation firm with over 1,000 lawyers. Toker’s practice focuses on biotech and pharmaceutical patent litigation and products liability litigation.
Previously, Toker was a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis. She has litigated and provided counsel on matters related to PCR technology, recombinant DNA technology, medical devices, and diagnostic assays, among other areas, with a focus on biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
She holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a PhD in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University. Toker also completed postdoctoral research in molecular biology and genetics in the laboratory of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Martin Chalfie at Columbia University.
Anne Toker's Insight
“My practice focuses on biotech and pharmaceutical patent and trade secret litigation. I have been fortunate over the past few years to concentrate almost exclusively on biotech cases, which are a great fit for me, given my scientific background in molecular biology, and which I particularly enjoy.”
16. Andrew Berdon
Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Andrew Berdon is a Partner in the New York Office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. Andrew regularly handles complex commercial disputes for clients in the life sciences and other industries. Berdon regularly represents clients in complex litigation and arbitration matters relating to financial and strategic transactions, product development and marketing agreements, trade secrets, licensing, antitrust, and regulatory enforcement.
Berdon has more than 30 years of experience as a litigator and trial lawyer, as well as five years of in-house legal experience as the general counsel of a multinational pharmaceutical company. Previously, Berdon was a Partner at Frommer Lawrence & Haug and before that an SVP and general counsel at Faulding Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career he worked with Weil Gotshal & Manges as an associate. Berdon earned a JD from Albany Law School and an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Rochester.
Andrew Berdon's Insight
My practice is unusual because I litigate across several legal disciplines within the life science field, including both complex commercial litigation (including licensing, earnout and trade secret disputes) and patents.
In January 2024 we received a fantastic pre-trial result in patent litigation for Sarepta Therapeutics, where we obtained summary judgment finding the patent-in-suit invalid for unpatentable subject matter.
Later, in early September 2024, we received a post-trial decision in an earnout case on behalf of the former owners of Syntimmune Therapeutics finding that the acquiring party, Alexion, had breached its contractual obligation to pay a $130 million milestone when due and further finding that Alexion breached its duty to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop Syntimmune’s lead clinical candidate.
Even within Quinn Emanuel, we have just a few colleagues who feel equally at home arguing a patent case before a Delaware federal court as they do a post-merger commercial dispute before the Chancery Court. My consistent focus on representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies over thirty-plus years allows me that flexibility and provides our clients with the confidence to trust us with their most significant litigation across multiple subject areas.
17. Vishal Gupta
Partner, Steptoe LLP
Vishal Gupta is the co-chair of Steptoe's Life Sciences practice. He focuses on complex patent litigation, inter partes reviews, IP transactions and strategic counseling in a wide range of technologies including small molecule pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices. Vishal is a seasoned Hatch-Waxman and biologics patent litigator who has served as lead counsel before district courts, the PTAB and the Federal Circuit.
Vishal has handled numerous high-value bench trials, jury trials, remedies proceedings and IPRs. He also has extensive experience leading large teams through all pretrial, trial and appellate case phases. Vishal's cases have involved blockbuster treatments for various cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, opioid addiction, cosmetics and ophthalmic conditions.
Additionally, specializing in IP transactions, Vishal has negotiated a wide variety of deals including licenses, royalty arrangements, mergers, acquisitions, collaborations and supply arrangements. He also has deep expertise in pharmaceutical case settlements, including negotiating launch triggers, authorized generic terms, REMS services agreements and volume limitations. Vishal also leads due diligence and strategic counseling efforts.
18. Sage Revell
Partner, Brown Rudnick
Sage Revell is Partner at Brown Rudnick and a seasoned life sciences attorney with a transatlantic practice. She advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including national and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity and corporate re-organizations.
Sage represents companies from the start-up phase, early-stage and emerging-growth companies all the way through to exit, in addition to the investors who support them in both the UK and U.S. Sage is also an advocate for women's health and wellness and leads the firm's femtech initiative in London and New York.
Sage Revell's Insight
"I am honoured to be recognised as a finalist for The Top Biotech and Life Sciences Attorneys of 2024. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting innovative companies and their investors on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to shape the future of life sciences and biotechnology. In recent years, I have become particularly passionate about advancing women’s health through my work in the life sciences space, and this recognition underscores my commitment to driving meaningful impact in this dynamic sector."
19. Gregory Einhorn
Partner, Greer Burns & Crain
Gregory P. Einhorn is a Partner in Greer Burns & Crain’s San Diego office. Greer Burns & Crain, is an intellectual property law firm located in downtown Chicago. GBC attorneys have extensive experience with all aspects of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, anti-counterfeiting, licensing, technology transfer and Internet law.
Dr. Einhorn’s intellectual property law practice focuses on biotechnology-related intellectual property and portfolio “life cycle” management, with an emphasis on developing and implementing domestic and international patent filing and portfolio strategies, as well as intellectual property licensing, freedom to operate and due diligence evaluations and opinions, and litigation support.
Dr. Einhorn’s practice covers biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical and dental device, and renewable chemical and biotech industries; and provides strategic intellectual property counseling and comprehensive patent portfolio management for small, medium and large companies.
Dr. Einhorn has a wide range of experience in the life sciences, medical and dental devices, cleantech and renewable biotech industries, including renewable chemical, chemical catalytic and green functional biomaterials, immunology, molecular biology, diagnostics, therapeutics, virology, drug delivery systems, high throughput screening, microarray technology, gene therapy, stem cell biology, liposomal technology, small molecules, proteomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology.
He received a JD from George Washington University Law School, a PhD in molecular biology and genetics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a DDS from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry.
Gregory Einhorn's Insight
I’ve always found being a patent attorney a challenging and rewarding profession, and even after 30 years I’m still excited to continue working – motivated by long-term relationships with my clients and the friendships built over the years, and having the opportunity to help them protect their new innovative hard work, which is always interesting and cutting edge. Also challenging is the need to meld both science and the law to produce the best outcomes for my clients. I’ve also enjoyed the collaborations and friendships with foreign associates from all over the world.
20. Emma Ross
Partner, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum
Emma Ross is a Partner at Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum. Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum is a litigation boutique based in Chicago, with offices in Dallas and Santa Monica. Ross is a physician by training and litigator by profession. She helps her clients achieve success by developing litigation strategies rooted in reliable science. Clients value Ross’ strategic thinking, creativity, and ability to identify and communicate nuanced scientific and medical themes.
Ross represents leading pharmaceutical and medical-device companies in high-stakes litigation, helping them build a compelling scientific narrative of the case. Ross is trial counsel for Bayer in litigation involving the herbicide Roundup, including in a recent St. Louis trial where she and partners Tarek Ismail and Shayna Cook secured a complete defense verdict. Ross also co-leads the national science team in litigation involving Merck’s HPV vaccine Gardasil. She was also a key member of the team that secured landmark Daubert victories in two separate Mirena MDLs.
Ross earned a JD from Columbia Law School, an MD from Duke University School of Medicine and an undergraduate degree in political science and government from the University of California, Berkeley.
Emma Ross's Insight
My practice is made better by a good dose of curiosity, a commitment to civility, and a willingness to fail, and learn from it. I am a trial lawyer today, and a surgeon by training. When I left the practice of medicine twelve years ago, it felt like falling on my face. Letting go of the dream of practicing medicine made space in my life to pursue law. Today I’ve found a career that balances science and law. I love creating value for my clients by bringing those two fields together.
21. Jeff Mittleman
Partner, Holland & Knight
Jeffrey W. Mittleman is a Partner in the Healthcare Section of Holland & Knight, a global law firm with more than 2,200 lawyers and other professionals in 34 offices throughout the world. Holland & Knight provides representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Mittleman is also co-leader of the firm's Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Group and the Healthcare Regulatory and Enforcement Practice Group. He practices in the areas of health, regulatory and corporate law.
With more than 25 years of experience, Mittleman represents clients in a variety of sectors within the healthcare industry, including health plans, PPOs, HMOs, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, retail pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, infusion pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, wholesale drug distributors, dialysis companies, e-health, disease management and healthcare technology companies.
Previously, Mittleman was a Legal Counsel, Health Care at CVS/Caremark. Earlier in his career he worked with MultiPlan, formerly known as Private Healthcare Systems, as a staff attorney and team leader of regulatory compliance. Mittleman earned a JD in law from the American University Washington College of Law and an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Vermont.
22. Avery Reaves
Partner, WilmerHale
Avery Reaves is a Partner at WilmerHale, an international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Reaves is a member of the Corporate Practice where he counsels life sciences and technology companies on corporate and securities matters, with an emphasis on public offerings and public company counseling, mergers and acquisitions, and the representation of early-stage companies and investors in seed stage, venture capital, or other financing transactions.
Prior to joining WilmerHale, Reaves was an intern in the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. His previous experience includes working on corporate matters as a summer associate at WilmerHale in 2012 and another law firm in Boston in 2011.
Previously, Reaves was a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group where he worked in the finance, healthcare, retail, and transportation sectors. Reaves graduated from Harvard Law School with a JD, from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA in finance and health care management, and from Duke University with an undergraduate degree in political science and economics.
23. Steve Lendaris
Partner, Baker Botts
Steve Lendaris is a Partner in Baker Botts' Life Sciences IP Practice group, where he advises clients on biotechnology-related intellectual property issues. He provides technically informed and commercially relevant legal advice for clients ranging from multinational biopharma enterprises to cancer research institutions and sequencing companies, with experience in patent evaluations, filing strategies, and advocacy before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Before attending law school, Lendaris performed his graduate school research on the protein-nucleic acid interactions underlying pre-messenger RNA splicing. Prior to graduate school, he was an assistant process development scientist at a large pharmaceutical company working on the production of recombinant blood clotting factors. Lendaris graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law with a JD, from the University of California with a master’s degree in molecular biology and an undergraduate degree in biology.
24. Ryan Hagglund
Partner, Loeb & Loeb
Ryan Hagglund is a Partner at Loeb & Loeb, a law firm dedicated to helping organizations and individuals innovate, grow, and adapt in a rapidly changing world. Its practice and industry teams provide practical insights and strategic solutions for complex transactions, high-profile disputes, cutting-edge regulatory challenges, and other matters critical to clients' success.
Hagglund focuses his practice on patent litigation, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals, biologics, and biotechnology, including Hatch-Waxman litigation. He has a broad range of experience relating to patent infringement litigation relating to the life sciences and other technologies, patent license disputes, international arbitration concerning patent infringement and licenses, inter partes review proceedings, patent reexamination and interference practice, and technology-driven copyright and trade secret disputes.
Hagglund also has experience in transactional, opinion, and counseling practice relating to patent and other intellectual property issues in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical segments, including due diligence, patent portfolio analysis, preparation of freedom to operate opinions, and patent license transactions.
Previously, Hagglund was an associate at Milbank and before that an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson. Earlier in his career he worked with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Affiliates as an associate. Hagglund earned a JD from the University of Chicago Law School, a PhD and master’s degree in virology from the University of Chicago, and an undergraduate degree in biology and biological science from Northwestern University.
25. Heather Kissling
Partner, Marshall Gerstein & Borun
Heather Kissling is a Partner at Marshall Gerstein & Borun, a legal services company specializing in IP litigation and transaction services. Kissling draws from over a decade of experience securing biotechnology patents to develop worldwide filing and prosecution strategies that further her clients’ business objectives.
Using her advanced training in biotechnology, she actively collaborates with bench scientists, business development personnel, and in-house counsel to maximize protection of biotechnology innovations in a broad range of technologies. Her background in interference and opposition proceedings also benefits clients seeking advice with respect to competitor patent positions and third party challenges in the patent office.
Previously, Kissling was an associate at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun. Earlier in his career he worked with Leydig, Voit & Mayer as a patent agent. Her graduate research experience included serving as an industrial resident at Abbott Laboratories and a research resident in the Lurie Cancer Center of the Northwestern University School of Medicine. She holds a JD from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, a master’s degree in biotechnology from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology and liberal arts chemistry from the University of Evansville.
