Former Fortune 25 IP and tech law leader named partner-in-charge as firm celebrates its centennial year

BakerHostetler is proud to announce that Timothy D. Casey has been named partner-in-charge of the firm’s Seattle office effective Jan. 1, 2017, succeeding Michael Swope, who served as co-head of the office beginning in 2004 and has been partner-in-charge since 2014. BakerHostetler established its presence in Seattle in 2014 through a strategic combination with intellectual property (IP) boutique firm Woodcock Washburn. Swope, credited with building the office by hiring its first non-IP attorneys and nurturing important client relationships, will continue to focus on representing his U.S. and foreign high-tech clients through management of their IP rights and patent litigation.

“When BakerHostetler combined with Woodcock Washburn, the firm made a commitment to expand its services in new markets that were important to our clients and the strategic direction of our firm,” said Steven Kestner, chairman of BakerHostetler. “As we plan for our next 100 years by growing in key markets like Seattle, Tim’s business, managerial and IP experience will help us expand comprehensive services to our clients in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe.”

Casey has extensive experience as both in-house IP counsel and outside general counsel. He gained deep management experience during his tenure leading the IP and technology law department of a Wall Street firm, having co-founded and co-led an IP-focused startup business services firm, and having managed the IP and technology law department of a Fortune 25 company. He will continue to manage his robust multidisciplinary IP practice, which focuses on patent opinion, preparation, prosecution and monetization, as well as trademark preparation, prosecution and enforcement, serving start-ups to large global corporations.

“It’s an honor to step into a role that Mike has skillfully managed for more than 10 years,” said Casey. “His leadership is an inspiration to me as I’m entrusted with creating a full-service office in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to building on the solid foundation we have in Seattle.”

Casey received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1988, and his B.A. in electrical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1984. He is a patent owner, a frequent writer and presenter and has served as an adjunct professor at American University Washington College of Law and Santa Clara University School of Law, and as a guest lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University; UC Berkeley; the University of Nevada, Reno; and a number of other colleges and universities.

BakerHostetler is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding this year. Woodcock Washburn first opened a Seattle office in 2000. The 16 attorneys in Seattle practice in the areas of intellectual property and complex litigation. In early 2016, the Seattle office added seasoned litigator partner Curt Roy Hineline to continue its expansion into complex commercial, business and securities litigation.

The firm continues to be recognized by leading legal publications and market researchers for its work across the firm’s Business, Employment, Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Tax practices. Acritas, a legal market researcher, singled out the firm as a “Rising Star Brand” for top-level litigation; the firm also placed in the top 10 of 322 law firms ranked in BTI Consulting Group’s Client Service 30 survey. Law360 has named BakerHostetler’s Privacy and Data Protection team and Energy team among the nation’s best practices in its annual rankings.