Leif Sigmond, Michael Gannon and Jennifer Kurcz bolster IP capabilities of national practice

BakerHostetleris proud to announce that leading attorneys Leif Sigmond, Michael Gannon and Jennifer Kurcz have joined the patent litigation team as partners, resident in the Chicago office. The team comes to BakerHostetler from McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert &Berghoff.

Bringing decades of experience to the firm’s national practice, Sigmond, Gannon and Kurcz handle all phases of patent litigation, providing strategic counsel to clients in the software, electrical and mechanical engineering, medical device, electronics, pharmaceutical, communications, and consumer products industries. All three are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and have extensive experience leading trials and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, in addition to litigating for clients at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and numerous district courts across the country.

“This talented team has built a reputation for delivering practical counsel and providing creative business solutions to companies and entrepreneurs developing breakthrough technologies,” said Mark Tidman, chair of BakerHostetler’s Intellectual Property Group. “Leif, Michael and Jennifer will add depth to our patent litigation bench and offer clients the benefit of their sharp technical knowledge together with their hands-on approach.”

“We are thrilled to have Leif, Michael and Jennifer join our office, strengthening our patent litigation presence in this region,” said Ron Okada, partner-in-charge of the Chicago office. “With nearly 70 years of combined experience, they bring a high level of sophisticated insights to help clients meet their objectives.”

Leif Sigmond
Sigmond, who previously served as co-chair of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert &Berghoff’s litigation and appeals practice group and twice served as that firm’s managing partner, concentrates his practice on high-tech patent litigation and counseling. He brings more than 27 years of experience in intellectual property litigation and counseling. He leads teams in covered business method reviews and re-examinations before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and provides strategic counsel on freedom to operate and licensing issues. He represents clients in district courts around the country and has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has represented clients that are in the software, electrical and mechanical engineering, medical device, and communications industries.

“BakerHostetler provides a tremendous platform for high-tech, high-stakes patent litigation,” said Sigmond. “The firm has a great depth in IP law, and I am excited that our team can contribute to the growth and strategic direction of this prominent IP practice. I was a summer associate at Woodcock Washburn, which combined with BakerHostetler a few years ago. It’s thrilling for me to be coming full circle in joining the firm.”

Sigmond received his J.D., magna cum laude, in 1990 from the Widener University Delaware Law School, where he served on the administrative board and as business manager for the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. Sigmond received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Lafayette College in 1987. He is recognized in the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals for patent litigation.

Michael Gannon
Gannon has more than 26 years of experience in patent litigation, patent prosecution and intellectual property counseling. With a background in electrical engineering and computer science, he concentrates his patent litigation practice in the electrical, mechanical and computer software industries. He also has represented medical device, 3-D printing, communications and agricultural equipment companies. Gannon leads covered business method reviews and re-examinations before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and handles freedom to operate and licensing issues. He represents clients in district courts throughout the country and has extensive experience before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He has authored numerous briefs, patentability, noninfringement and invalidity opinions.

“BakerHostetler’s strength in intellectual property was a big factor that enticed our team,” said Gannon. “The firm is highly regarded in the corporate world and provides comprehensive resources that we can bring to clients. I look forward to being able to add value to the practice.”

Gannon earned his J.D. in 1991 from Marquette University Law School and received his Bachelor of Science in 1988 from Marquette University.

Jennifer Kurcz
With more than 14 years of experience, Kurcz handles all aspects of intellectual property work, including patent, trademark, and copyright procurement and protection. She represents clients in the computer software, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, electronics and consumer products industries. She draws on her experience in computer science litigation to counsel software companies in patent infringement cases.

Kurcz has extensive experience leading trials and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including leading covered business method reviews, and has broad experience litigating for clients before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

“Joining BakerHostetler allows me to grow and expand services for clients on a national platform,” said Kurcz. “The firm’s rich history in patent prosecution and deep understanding of high-stakes patent litigation naturally complements my practice.”

Kurcz received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2003, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and served as executive editor of the Nebraska Law Review. She received her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, summa cum laude, from the University of Nebraska in 2000.

Sigmond, Gannon and Kurcz follow three recent partner additions to the Intellectual Property Group, which continues to grow as the firm expands its national intellectual property footprint. BakerHostetler’s Intellectual Property Group has more than 160 dedicated IP attorneys, with more than 100 lawyers and patent agents registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. More than 50 of its IP attorneys hold advanced degrees across a spectrum of scientific disciplines.