International law firm Nixon
Peabody LLP has expanded its Intellectual Property practice with the arrival in
Boston of a team from Foley & Lardner. Partner John T. Gutkoski, a patent
and intellectual property trial attorney who focuses his national practice on
the emerging technology and life sciences industries, was previously the Boston
office chairman of Foley & Lardner’s intellectual property department.
Michelle Flores also joins Nixon Peabody from Foley & Lardner as
counsel.
“John and Michelle bring significant additional strength to two priority
practices for Nixon Peabody—life sciences and intellectual property,” said
Andrew I. Glincher, CEO and Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody LLP. “Boston is an
important market for our firm given that it is home to our largest office. This
team’s experience across biotechnology, medical device and digital media is an
excellent fit with the legal needs of this market, and our clients firm
wide.”
Mr. Gutkoski has tried and litigated patent infringement cases throughout the
country and across a wide variety of technology and life sciences areas
including pharmaceuticals, radiotherapeutics, laser and tissue interaction,
medical devices, optics, nanotechnology, financial services, computer and
network architecture, digital imaging, sound waves, semiconductors,
telecommunications, vibration control, and Internet data.
Ms. Flores focuses her practice on all aspects of intellectual property
litigation, including patent infringement, theft of trade secrets, and
contractual issues related to intellectual property. She has been a member of
several trial teams and litigated numerous matters that have involved a diverse
array of technologies including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital
cameras, polymer chemistry, reformulated gasoline, offshore oil production
platforms, and computer software.
“We are excited about the depth of experience John and Michelle bring to
Nixon Peabody’s medical device and pharmaceutical clients,” said Susan S.
Robfogel, partner and leader of Nixon Peabody’s Life Sciences practice. “With a
deep bench of patent lawyers, particularly in our Boston office, and a robust
litigation practice that spans the full range of product, regulatory, and
business issues, John and Michelle nicely complement our team.”
“John and Michelle have a successful track record winning intellectual
property cases,” added Russell J. Genet, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Intellectual
Property Litigation practice. “With more and more life sciences products and
services integrating high tech aspects, lawyers who can cover both sectors and
their interaction provide a huge benefit to our clients.”
Mr. Gutkoski is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Association, the
American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Boston Patent Law
Association. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he
was elected to the Order of the Barristers and was a member of the National Moot
Court Board. Mr. Gutkoski graduated magna cum laude from Boston University. Ms.
Flores graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. She earned
a Master’s degree from the University of Texas in environmental science and a
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tufts University. Upon graduation from
Tufts, Ms. Flores worked as a chemist in Houston, Texas for Bioassay
Laboratories prior to going to law school. After law school, she
held an in-house position with Exxon Mobil Corporation.
About Nixon Peabody LLP
Nixon Peabody LLP helps clients navigate complex
challenges in litigation, real estate, corporate law, and finance. With
approximately 700 attorneys throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, their focus
is on working collaboratively to serve clients ranging from large corporations
and financial institutions to entrepreneurs and private individuals.
Employing innovative and client-centered approaches, the firm helps to
anticipate and capture opportunities, prepare for and manage risks, protect
intellectual property, and forecast and overcome obstacles. Nixon Peabody is
committed to the clients it serves, the communities in which it serves them, and
the diverse professionals who have helped make it a “Best Law Firm” and “A Best
Place to Work.”