Erika Harmon Arner > Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Boston-based patent expert Jeffrey Jacobstein and Washington DC-based Erika Harmon Arner , Anand Sharma and PTAB trial expert Joshua Goldberg lead Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP‘s team, which is described as ‘a powerhouse for all IP matters’. The firm handles the full spectrum of IP services for its national and international client base, notably representing AstraZeneca in patent prosecution and strategic counseling matters, with Washington DC’s Jill MacAlpine playing a key role. DC’s Adriana L. Burgy leads on cross-jurisdictional, environmentally significant work for BASF. The team also handles complex matters for clients in the technological and electrical sectors, an example being its current work assisting Alibaba on cloud computing, AI and blockchain-related patent drafting and prosecution work, as well as advising on high-value PTAB matters. In the Atlanta office, specialist in mechanical, electrical, computer and medical device technologies Benjamin Saidman and the ‘super smart’ Kara Specht are key up-and-coming names. Palo Alto’s Arpita Bhattacharyya has a developing specialism in post-grant proceeding matters.

With a strong national presence and offices in Europe and Asia, the market-leading practice at dedicated IP firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP leverages global bench strength and the experience of its team, to advise household names involved in high-stakes litigation. Headed by Danny Awdeh, who brings expertise to matters involving infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, dilution, and false advertising, managing partner Erika Harmon Arner, and chair Anand Sharma, the team’s client base spans sectors; examples include apparel, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, electronics, hospitality, banking, entertainment, and consumer products. Other key figures include Mark Sommers, who in addition to litigation, advises client on issues of intermediary liability and rights of publicity; Douglas Rettew, who argues appeals in complex matters before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal, Fourth, Eighth, and Eleventh Circuits; brand enforcement expert, Naresh Kilaru, who assists clients with cases involving computer source code, product packaging and product configuration trade dress. In addition, B. Brett Heavner is a go-to for medical device manufacturers, financial services institutions, and major trade associates, whereas Katie McKnight is a highly regarded counsel. All lawyers mentioned work in the Washington DC office.

With a strong national presence and offices in Europe and Asia, the powerhouse practice at dedicated intellectual property firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP remains a market leader, leveraging global bench strength and the experience of its team, to advise household names such as Unilever, Caterpillar and Nestlé on the management, licensing, and enforcement of their international trademark portfolios. The group is headed by trademark, copyright and advertising head Danny Awdeh, an expert in global brand launches, high-value transactions, and strategic counselling, managing partner Erika Harmon Arner and firm chair Anand Sharma. The group is supported by veteran litigators Mark Sommers and Douglas Rettew, a specialist in the sports sector, B. Brett Heavner, whose client base spans the pharma, food, medical devices, and financial services sectors, and Naresh Kilaru, who brings extensive experience in trademark prosecution at the domestic and international levels and as the in-house counsel to the Turner Broadcasting System. At the Boston office, of counsel Laura Johnson assists clients in telecoms, electronics, and the automotive industry. In January 2023, Lisa London, who previously worked at the firm for 13 years, returned as counsel. All the lawyers mentioned work in the Washington DC office.