Eight Akin Intellectual Property Partners Named to IAM Patent 1000

(Philadelphia) – IAM has recognized eight Akin Gump intellectual property partners in its 2021 edition of the IAM Patent 1000, a guide of leading private practice patent lawyers in the United States.

In Philadelphia, where the firm was ranked for its litigation work, IAM noted that “there’s hardly a better line-up of lawyers in the country” than the Akin Gump team, which handles “complex, commercially consequential pharmaceutical and technology cases in exemplary fashion.” The following partners were highlighted:

• Dianne Elderkin, who “needs no introduction as an eloquent and elevated trial lawyer with leadership qualities in abundance and a striking record of success in many cases that have advanced the state of the law.”
• Practice head Steven Maslowski, who is “another commanding leader; sources call him ‘sharp and insightful’ – a description that suits him perfectly as a strategist, technical lawyer and advocate.”
• Matthew Pearson “has earned a stellar reputation for the results he secures in biologics cases.”
• Rubén Muñoz, partner in charge of Akin Gump’s Philadelphia office, “demonstrates a mastery of diverse technologies and benefits the group with his well-honed post-grant know-how.”

Akin Gump was also ranked for litigation in Washington, D.C., with IAM noting that the firm “has what it takes to prevail in bet-the-company patent litigation and is a trusted ally of high-technology and life sciences industry leaders and other key stakeholders.” The following partners were highlighted:

• Cono Carrano, who is noted for his “impeccable ITC credentials.”
• David Vondle is an “experienced ITC and PTAB lead counsel,” who also earned inclusion on IAM’s transactions list, with deal making “a significant component of his practice…[and] his advocacy skill being of great benefit in negotiations.”
• Andrew Holtman, who “has a facility for post-grant proceedings and has considerably amped up Akin Gump’s PTAB activities since coming on board in late 2019.”

In New York, partner Michael Kahn was noted as “an anchor member of Akin Gump’s sterling patent litigation group,” who handles “commercially consequential suits between competitors…[that] are a daily occurrence for him and see him at his best.”

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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