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In 2017, we released the second edition of our WIPR Leaders publication, split into two volumes (patent and trademark). Featuring 1,708 lawyers overall, WIPR Leaders is designed to showcase the best IP talent from around the world and allow you to build networks with other practitioners.
To celebrate the success of the publication, we wanted to highlight some of the entrants. We thought that the twin focuses in this issue of US, and media and entertainment—coupled with the upcoming (February 26) Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles—provided an opportune time to highlight leading lawyers in California and elsewhere in the US.
The seven featured lawyers all work in California and have specialised in the media and/or entertainment fields, while the remaining leaders listed opposite have a similar speciality but work outside California. So, much like in Oscars tradition, we have rolled out the red carpet for some of our leaders—and they have accepted their awards graciously.
California-based Leaders
Wayne Barsky
Firm: Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Position: Partner
Wayne Barsky has been involved in patent disputes concerning the life sciences, gaming and media industries in a number of US federal courts as well as the International Trade Commission. One of his notable achievements is securing a $120 million patent victory for Stac Electronics against Microsoft.
John Crittenden
Firm: Cooley
Position: Partner
John Crittenden has considerable experience in trademark, false advertising, and unfair competition matters. His notable clients include multinational corporation Yelp and automotive company Tesla Motors. Crittenden has been an active member of INTA for two decades, is a member of INTA’s trademark mediators network and currently serves on the US legislation subcommittee.
David Nimmer
Firm: Irell & Manella
Position: Of counsel
David Nimmer focuses on patent, trademark and copyright disputes, and he wrote the 1985 legal treatise “Nimmer on Copyright”. He obtained his JD from Yale Law School in 1980 and has spent much of his career representing clients in the entertainment, publishing and high-tech industries. Between 1987 and 1992, he served as the chairman of the committee on intellectual property litigation for the American Bar Association.
Ron Shulman
Firm: Latham & Watkins
Position: Partner
Ron Shulman has litigated more than 200 patent cases. His practice focuses on prosecuting and defending patent infringement actions and he has represented clients in industries including technology, internet, digital media, and life sciences. He is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Philip Zender
Firm: Squire Patton Boggs
Position: Partner
Philip Zender advises clients on IP matters, and on business and commercial transactions, with a particular emphasis on transactions and legal issues involving intellectual property and technology. He has experience with a wide variety of technologies and industries including computer and semiconductor technology, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, internet and e-commerce, and media and entertainment. He also advises on data protection and privacy issues.
The remaining US Leaders in media/entertainment
• Miles Alexander
• Andrew Bart
• Joseph Beck
• William Brewster
• Elizabeth Buckingham
• Ronald Coleman
• Edward Davis
• David Donahue
• Louis Ebling
• Michael Elkin
• Paul Fakler
• John Flaim
• Ann Ford
• Michael Grow
• Charles Henn
• David Hilliard
• Curtis Krasik
• Raymond Kurz
• Jeffrey Kushan
• Richard Lehv
• Anthony Lupo
• Michelle Mancino Marsh
• Floyd Mandell
• Paul McGrady
• Purvi Patel Albers
• Lisa Pearson
• Joseph Petersen
• Manny Pokotilow
• Lisa Rosaya
• James Rosini
• Martin Schwimmer
• William Seiter
• Mark Sommers
• Bruce Sostek
• Jason Vogel
• Jack Wheat
WIPR Leaders, Wayne Barsky, John Crittenden, David Nimmer, Ron Shulman, Philip Zender, trademark, patent,