Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt announced today that Nika Aldrich, David Anderson, Ryen Godwin, Milt Reimers, Ryan Strauss and Jennifer Woodhouse have been named shareholders at the firm. Nika, who specializes in intellectual property, is a part of Schwabe’s Healthcare and Technology industry group practice areas. Ryan also specializes in intellectual property and is a part of the Technology industry group. David and Milt are both commercial litigators who are part of the Real Estate and Construction industry group. Ryen is part of the Natural Resources and Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail industry groups, specializing in environmental regulation and litigation. Jennifer currently specializes in estate and tax matters.
“Nika, David, Ryen, Milt, Ryan and Jennifer are incredibly talented attorneys who have become an integral part of the firm and its future,” said Graciela Gomez Cowger, CEO at Schwabe. “They are dedicated to our clients and work hard every day to advance Schwabe’s leading focus in their respective industry groups.”
Nika is a first-chair trial attorney who helps clients protect intellectual property in complex, high-stakes litigations. He has represented innovative companies in numerous patent disputes involving medical devices, MEMS, computer hardware, computer software, computer algorithms, textiles, apparel, and pharmaceuticals. Nika has also tried cases covering design patents, including a leading case on design patent damages. He has handled numerous appeals, including before the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court.
Dave helps clients throughout Oregon’s diverse industries to litigate business disputes and resolve succession issues. His clients range from large businesses asserting rights related to commercial property, to trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries asserting rights under succession and estate plans. A third-generation Oregonian, Dave has a deep appreciation for the role his clients play in the state’s economy and growth.
Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail
Ryen advises clients in environmental litigation.. He has counseled clients in a variety of industries, including distribution, development, petroleum, public and private construction, logging, utility services, and the commercial fishing industry. Ryen has extensive experience in defending litigation under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). He has participated in some of the region’s most complex CERCLA Superfund sites, defended clients in CWA litigation in federal district court and in administrative proceedings, and represented clients in cost recovery and contribution actions. Ryen also advises clients on regulatory matters such as fisheries management, storm water regulation, and UST decommissioning. In addition, Ryen also practices federal Indian Law. He represents tribes and tribal corporations in managing their natural resources and environmental liabilities.
Milt helps clients navigate a broad array of real estate and land use matters, including acquisition, permitting/entitlement, development, leasing and dispute resolution. He regularly represents businesses, owners, tenants and developers on real estate matters, working with them through all stages of the real estate life cycle. In litigation, Milt handles disputes involving leasing, breach of contract and construction. While Milt seeks creative and cost-effective resolution of disputes, he does not shy away from aggressively litigating on his clients’ behalf.
A computer engineer by training, Ryan understands the sophisticated intellectual property he protects for his clients. He handles domestic and foreign patent prosecution with a focus on wireless/telecommunications systems and networks, user interaction devices and applications, mobile/web applications, social networking applications, facial and object recognition, semiconductor packaging and fabrication processes, supercritical fluid extraction devices and forestry/landscaping devices. Ryan’s background allows him to effectively translate complex technology into patent applications and supporting documents. He counsels clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and solo inventors on strategies for robust patent prosecution.
Tax and Estate Planning
Multiple Industries
Jennifer specializes in estate and tax matters and works with clients across multiple industries. Jennifer represents clients in a range of tax matters, including collection cases, innocent spouse cases, audits (including estate and gift tax audits), and state and federal tax court cases. She helps clients respond to lien and levy notices as well as evaluate and pursue collection options. Jennifer represents clients through all stages of the trust fund recovery penalty interview process.
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