GARY M. NATH

FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER

Specializes in all aspects of domestic and international client counseling relating to IP law including patent, trademark & copyright procurement, prosecution and litigation. Former Patent Attorney and Patent Counsel for three Fortune 500 corporations – FMC, NL Industries, and Warner-Lambert. Outside Patent Counsel and Board Member for over 15 technology-based startups, of which 7 were taken public. Collector of fine art, antique books and fancy pens.

ROSS A. EPSTEIN

PARTNER, ATTORNEY

Managing Partner of the San Diego office. Practice centers on international and domestic transactional services to businesses with emphasis on development of IP assets, global trademark counseling and licensing. Built a telecom business in Eastern Europe which became the first competitive long distance carrier in Poland. Collegiate athlete, avid skier.

JOSHUA B. GOLDBERG

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Expert in conducting pre-litigation analysis, patent portfolio valuation, and licensing negotiations. Conducts extensive client counseling on best IP practices and all areas of IP due diligence. Specializes in positioning disputes for early settlement and maximizing recovery or minimizing liability. Gourmet cook.

SUSANNE M. HOPKINS

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Provides legal counsel in all areas of IP, transactional and corporate law. Has extensive transactional experience in strategic alliances, joint ventures, corporate partnering, technology licensing, technology transfers, patent portfolio development, and, supply & distribution agreements. Manages IP to maximize value through collaboration, partnering, in- & out-licensing, resource allocation, and strategic positioning to defend, leverage & expand IP capital value. Amateur photographer.

William E. Beaumont

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Practice entails patent application drafting; prosecution in the U.S. and abroad; opinions relating to validity, infringement and freedom-to-operate; and technology licensing. Areas of particular emphasis include drug delivery systems, manipulation of enzymatic reactions, peptide analogues, synthesis of chiral molecules, and genetic engineering. Studies ancient history and enjoys horticulture.

Suzanne E. Ziska, Ph.D.

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Practice areas include US and international patent prosecution and management of patent portfolios. Specializes in university and small-medium company practices. Previous Senior Staff Fellow at the National Cancer Institute conducting cancer research and prior Primary US Patent Examiner in the technologies of transgenic plants and animals, gene therapy, cancer therapy and tissue/cell transplantation. Traveler at heart.

Laurie A. Axford

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Practice focuses on intellectual property portfolio management, including prosecution and licensing, and assisting clients in multi-dimensional strategic patent work, post-prosecution proceedings, international oppositions, due diligence and other advanced-level client counseling tasks. Also drafts and negotiates IP licenses. Expert in biotechnology, nanotechnology, biochemistry, polymers, textiles, small molecules, assay devices, therapeutic drug delivery systems. Lectures frequently on IP and licensing topics. Sailing enthusiast.

ROBERT P. COGAN

PARTNER, PATENT ATTORNEY

Legal advisor to high tech, industrial, commercial and financial businesses and universities in creation of IP estates and enforcement of IP rights, software licensing, high tech commercial transactions and government contracts. Occasional guest lecturer at University of California (UCSD) Rady School of Management. Formerly chief patent counsel of EG&G. Opera enthusiast.

H. DAVID STARR

ATTORNEY

Practice involves drafting and negotiating IP and business agreements, including licensing, sponsorship, consulting, work-for-hire, joint venture, music, distribution, media services, website user, webcasting, concurrent use and settlement agreements. Extensive trademark litigation and enforcement experience, including involvement with two published opinions on trade dress law. Enjoys playing piano and guitar.

DEREK RICHMOND

PATENT ATTORNEY

Practice areas include global patent procurement, managing district court and appellate litigation, and interference actions. Involved in all aspects of writing infringement and validity opinions, client counseling and licensing negotiations. Incurable do-it-yourself home improvement fanatic.

SHELDON M. McGEE

PATENT ATTORNEY

Counsels and advises clients in protecting IP assets in the pharmaceutical and food chemistry fields. Has served as in-house patent counsel to one of the world’s largest family-owned businesses. Enjoys hiking with his two Siberian Huskies, snowboarding, and tandem cycling.

BURMAN Y. “BUD” MATHIS III

PATENT ATTORNEY

Specializes in a wide range of patent-related services, portfolio management, defense and enforcement. Conducted nearly 15 years of engineering research and design for a wide array of electronic and electro-mechanical devices. Former professional boxer and print model.