Baker & Hostetler adds three to IP team

US law firm Baker & Hostetler LLP has added three attorneys to its Chicago-based IP practice.

John Letchinger and Douglas Rupert join as partners, alongside associate Derek Campbell.

The trio, previously at Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, will join the firm’s IP group.

Letchinger (below left) handles IP disputes, including patent, trade secret, trademark, and copyright infringement and has represented clients at district and appeals courts.

Rupert (below middle) focuses on patents and has a background in electrical engineering but has experience in all manners of IP law.

He has worked previously as an in-house lawyer for Motorola and as a patent examiner with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Campbell (below right), who specialises in patent prosecution, has a software engineering background.

The new additions are among a team of five to have joined the firm from Edwards Wildman.

“These hires send a significant message about our capabilities as a national law firm with a strong and strategic presence in the Chicago market,” said Ronald Okada, managing partner of Baker & Hostetler’s Chicago office.

"We are very happy to be adding IP litigation and core patent expertise to the Chicago office, as well as expanding our talented group of trial lawyers."

Baker & Hostetler has nearly 900 lawyers in 14 offices across the US.

The announcement follows Baker & Hostetler’s recent combination with US IP boutique firm Woodcock Washburn, a partnership that resulted in around 70 IP attorneys and three new offices joining its team.