Firm projects similar growth in 2010.

Despite the difficult economic circumstances in 2009, the intellectual property (IP) practice group of Northwest law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt saw continued success and growth for the seventh consecutive year. During 2009, the IP group secured issuance of nearly 400 patents worldwide, 180 of which were issued in the U.S. Taking into account the work conducted by Schwabe IP attorneys both in Washington state and Oregon, the firm saw a 30 percent year-to-year increase in domestic patent issuance.

“Schwabe’s strength in IP stems from our firm’s multidisciplinary nature, which means we have IP attorneys who specialize in a broad spectrum of issue areas,” said Chris Lewis, the Schwabe partner who chairs the IP practice from the firm’s Portland office. “We are capable of handling virtually any intellectual property matter that arises in our clients’ businesses, including enforcing IP rights through litigation or defending them against infringement claims.”

The IP group also saw success and growth in the areas of trademarks, copyrights, licensing and IP litigation, including a significant jury trial win and favorable settlements for various patent enforcement actions. Schwabe has 24 full time IP attorneys, over half of whom hold advance degrees in engineering and science, including two PhDs. In December of 2002, Schwabe only had five IP attorneys firmwide. The firm also currently employs 14 IP paralegals.

Schwabe now has one of the largest IP practice groups among the leading multiservice Northwest firms. The firm has a long history of assisting large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in securing, protecting, and exercising their intellectual property rights, both in the U.S. and in other countries.

The firm provides a full range of services in patent, trade secret, trademark, and copyright matters, including counseling, prosecution, litigation, dispute resolution, licensing, and technology transfer. Technology areas covered include: clean tech, mobile telephony, electronics, software, telecommunications, e-commerce, semiconductor, biotechnology, medical devices, media and entertainment, forestry and consumer products. Schwabe is one of few firms in the region that offers both patent prosecution and patent litigation services.

“As we continue into 2010 and beyond, we project continuing success for our clients and additional growth and favorable results for our IP practice group,” added Al AuYeung, the IP practice head in Schwabe’s Seattle office.