Wiley Rein Bolsters Its Intellectual Property Practice with the Addition of Biotech Patent Group

February 3, 2014

Wiley Rein is pleased to announce that A. Neal Seth, Lawrence M. Sung, and Mary Sylvia have joined the firm as partners in its esteemed Intellectual Property Practice.  The team—which brings a dynamic combination of scientific credentials and legal acumen—will advise clients on patent litigation strategy and appeals, patent prosecution and portfolio matters, dispute settlements, and technology transfer in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and chemical industries.

The group, which comes to Wiley Rein from BakerHostetler, has a diverse background serving major companies, as well as start-ups.  All three partners are registered patent attorneys.  Mr. Seth focuses on patent litigation and appeals.  Mr. Sung has 20 years of experience in patent counseling, litigation, and technology transfer.  Ms. Sylvia has nearly 30 years of experience in microbiology and patent law and was trained as a molecular biologist.

“We are pleased to welcome these talented lawyers to our firm,” said Chairman Richard E. Wiley.  “Their outstanding accomplishments and deep patent experience in the fast-growing life sciences and biotech sectors will greatly benefit our clients.”

“Neal, Lawrence, and Mary will be an excellent addition to our highly regarded team of IP and patent lawyers, broadening and complementing the scope of companies and industries we already serve,” added Dorthula H. Powell-Woodson, hiring partner at the firm.

Mr. Seth, Mr. Sung, and Ms. Sylvia join a top-rated group of nearly 50 Wiley Rein intellectual property lawyers, who have a record of success for clients in a wide variety of industries.  In 2013, Wiley Rein was ranked a leader in its field by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms” and Chambers USA, which noted that the Practice “is well regarded for its patent litigation work” and “has long been celebrated for its expertise in litigation of all kinds.”

“As a go-to firm for patent litigation, this team’s experience in effectively counseling clients on a variety of IP issues and defending against patent infringement cases will be invaluable to our clients, and further boost our capabilities,” said Managing Partner Peter Shields.

Mr. Seth has served as lead counsel in defending against claims of patent infringement in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.  He advises clients on patent prosecution and portfolio matters and has developed extensive client contacts in India, having previously served as the president of the South Asian Bar Association of Washington, DC.  He graduated from The George Washington University Law School and received his B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University.

Mr. Sung was a law clerk to the Honorable Raymond C. Clevenger III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit before going into private practice.  Mr. Sung graduated from American University Washington College of Law and holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.  He received his B.A. in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.  He is ranked as a Best Lawyer for biotechnology law in Washington, DC. 

Ms. Sylvia’s practice focuses primarily on biotech patent law.  She currently represents clients in IP counseling and strategy; patent, copyright, and trademark procurement; product clearance; non-infringement and invalidity opinions; and license drafting and negotiation.  Ms. Sylvia also is a former law clerk to the Honorable Raymond C. Clevenger III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  She received her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and an M.S. from the University of South Florida.

Wiley Rein’s intellectual property lawyers have advised clients in industries that include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, software, consumer electronics, medical devices, and semiconductors. With considerable experience in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-profile and high-stakes cases, the Group handles patent infringement litigation and application prosecution and provides strategic counsel on patent enforcement, licensing, and intellectual property portfolio evaluation.  The Intellectual Property Practice garnered national attention following the historic settlement it earned for NTP, Inc., in a patent infringement case against the manufacturer of BlackBerry wireless devices.