Contact Information: CONTACT: Don Pelto (202) 772-5362 Ralph Richardson (213) 617-5542
Intellectual Property Partner, Don Pelto, Brings Life Sciences Specialty to Sheppard Mullin D.C.
New Team Expands Firm's IP Practice, Further Strengthens Biotech Experience
| Source: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 26, 2007 -- Don J. Pelto has joined the Washington, D.C.
office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as part of the firm's
Intellectual Property practice group. Pelto, and his team of IP specialists
who are joining Sheppard Mullin with him, most recently practiced with
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis in Washington, D.C.
Pelto specializes in intellectual property and patent litigation,
representing domestic and international clients in intellectual property
litigation, counseling and procurement. Specifically, he has experience
with technological developments in the fields of molecular biology,
pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical small molecules,
diagnostics, chemi-informatics and software, medical products and devices,
including surgical devices, medical product manufacturing processes and
fluid handling devices and related methodologies.
"Don's arrival marks another significant step in expanding our IP practice,
which continues to be the fastest growing group in the firm," said Guy
Halgren, chairman of the firm. "The team's life sciences knowledge and
experience dovetail with our current West Coast biotech clients and
matters."
"I look forward to growing the firm's IP practice nationwide and
specifically in the D.C. office," Pelto said. "Sheppard Mullin is a
top-notch national firm with an excellent reputation. I am thrilled to be
joining with members of my former team, as well as to be working with the
great lawyers here and across the firm's offices."
"We are excited to have Don and his team join us," said Ed Schiff, managing
partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office. "His specialization is an
excellent fit for the D.C. office, in light of the region's prominence as a
life sciences hub, and complements our growth in the pharmaceutical
regulatory practice area."
"Don's group is an excellent addition to the firm's IP practice, which now
includes over fifty attorneys firm wide," commented Gary Clark, chair of
the firm's Intellectual Property practice group. "They bring an incredible
collective background in both IP litigation and the life science industry."
Pelto has experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent
applications and licensing and technology transfers. His litigation
experience includes interferences, Section 337 actions, District Court
infringement actions and Federal Circuit appeals. He has written opinions
on freedom to operate, non-infringement and invalidity.
Additionally, Pelto has successfully asserted and defended against patent
infringement claims, both in the U.S. District Courts and the United States
International Trade Commission. He has also represented clients in appeals
before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Before entering law school, Don was a research biologist with the National
Institutes of Health, National Institutes on Aging where he performed
original research in conjunction with the Laboratory of Neurosciences and
the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences. Pelto earned a J.D. from
University of Baltimore School of Law in 1985 and a B.S. from University of
Maryland in 1982.
About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a full service AmLaw 100 firm
with 490 attorneys in nine offices located throughout California and in New
York and Washington, D.C. The firm's California offices are located in Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar
Heights and San Diego. Sheppard Mullin provides legal expertise and
counsel to U.S. and international clients in a wide range of practice
areas, including Antitrust, Corporate and Securities; Entertainment, Media
and Communications; Finance and Bankruptcy; Government Contracts;
Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Real Estate/Land
Use; Tax/Employee Benefits/Trusts & Estates; and White Collar Defense. The
firm was founded in 1927. For more information, please visit
www.sheppardmullin.com.