Partner Edward Mullowney has become a highly prized addition to
US firm Shearman & Sterling's Menlo Park office, reflecting the
firm's ambition to strengthen its global IP practice.
Mullowney was wooed from noted US IP firm Fish and Neave, where
he was the senior partner of the firm's Palo Alto office since it
was opened in 1992.
According to Shearman's global IP head, Salem Katsh, Mullowney
brings with him a network of major national and international
clients and a wealth of experience in patent and IP litigation. The
appointment will firm up Shearman's IP presence on both US coasts
as the firm strives to build a full-service IP practice in Silicon
Valley, he added.
Shearman expects its New York practice to include 30 IP lawyers
by 2002 with a further 20 in California. "We are looking to have an
IP practice of between 40 to 50 lawyers in 2002, which will make us
equivalent to or bigger than some of the IP boutiques," Katsh
said.
Shearman's French and German offices are projected to grow to 50
IP lawyers in 2002, with London, Hong Kong, China, Japan and
Singapore also mooted for possible IP expansion. Katsh believes
global firms need to have the capability to handle complex IP
transactions and litigation, rather than relying on IP
boutiques.
Shearman is different from its rivals, choosing to build its IP
practice lawyer by lawyer rather than acquiring a boutique IP firm
or hiring a swathe of IP practitioners, he said. "This gives us a
tremendous competitive advantage."
Norman Beamer, partner from Fish & Neave's Palo Alto office,
said the firm had known of Mullowney's departure for some time and
is sorry to see him go, both personally and professionally.
"We have been approached many times by general practice firms
[seeking lawyers]. We see it as a tribute to our strength in the IP
area," Beamer said. "General practice firms are looking to us for
talent. We have had very few people leaving to take up these offers
but it will happen from time to time."
Beamer said Mullowney's departure would not create a management
vacuum. Fish's Palo Alto office has 25 practitioners, with 180 in
New York. The firm is planning more lateral recruitment.
Fish & Neave is also looking at opening another US office,
with Washington D.C, and Arlington, Virginia mooted as
possibilities.
