Group Brings Extensive IP Protection and Litigation Experience.
Foley announced today that a group of IP attorneys led by John D. Lanza and Christopher J. McKenna have joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Department working with the Electronics Practice Group. Lanza and McKenna join as partners along with six other IP professionals, including an associate, three patent agents and two paralegals. All will reside in the Boston office. Prior to joining Foley, Lanza, McKenna and their team were with Choate, Hall & Stewart, LLP.
According to McKenna, the group looked at several firms but opted for Foley for a number of reasons.
“We chose Foley as the best platform to service our clients and develop our practice not only because of its extensive capabilities, reach and resources, but for its proven track record and commitment to superior client service and value as well,” said McKenna.
Lanza focuses his practice on IP prosecution, technology transactions and licensing. He has more than 15 years of experience directing patent portfolio strategies and counseling clients concerning IP transfer of rights. Additionally, Lanza has a vast amount of experience litigating infringement cases involving electrical and software technologies. He is listed in Chambers USA as a leading attorney in the field of IP and by Best Lawyers in America for Information Technology Law. Lanza was also named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Media, Inc.
McKenna’s practice focuses on strategic IP counseling, patent portfolio development and litigating complex patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation cases involving software and information technology. He is experienced in providing IP counseling to clients in the venture capital investment process and due diligence in mergers and acquisition transactions. He also brings a wealth of practical industry experience to the emerging technology sector from his previous technical and executive management roles in a variety of software and information technology companies. McKenna has been named a Massachusetts Super Lawyers “Rising Star” by Law & Politics Media, Inc.
“The wealth of experience and comprehensive technological savvy this group brings will allow us to further serve our clients’ needs during this time of unprecedented growth and change in the computer networking and software spaces,” said Stephen B. Maebius, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “With these additions, Foley now has strong capabilities in the field of software patents across the United States – on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and on the East Coast. We are pleased to welcome these attorneys to the firm and look forward to their contributions.”
“John and Chris are well-recognized for their experience in IP protection and technical strategic counseling,” said Susan E. Pravda, managing partner of the firm’s Boston office. “Their experience will make them tremendous assets for our clients and a welcome addition to our growing team of electronics attorneys here in Boston.”
“Adding this significant number of IP professionals enhances one of Boston’s preeminent IP and IP Litigation practices,” said John T. Gutkoski, Boston office chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “We are all excited to begin working with them.”
Comprised of more than 200 attorneys, Foley’s Intellectual Property practice is a recognized leader in IP legal services. For the eighth consecutive year, Foley was ranked by IP Today as one of the top 10 firms for the number of patents issued and by IP Law & Business magazine as one of the top patent litigation firms in the nation.
Foley & Lardner LLP continually evolves to meet the changing legal needs of our clients. In a recent survey of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel*, Foley ranked first for superior client service and value. In addition, Foley was a Top 10 firm on the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2010 “Best Law Firms” list, based on the total number of first-tier metropolitan rankings, and CIO magazine recognized Foley for technological innovation that enhances business value by naming the firm to its prestigious CIO-100 list. With nearly 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and more than 60 practices, Foley is recognized for providing high-caliber business and legal insight. Our team-based approach, proprietary client service technology, and practice depth enhance client relationships while seeing clients through their most complex legal challenges.
*The BTI Consulting Group (Wellesley, Massachusetts)