Squire Patton Boggs welcomes a three-partner intellectual property and technology team that boosts the firm’s trial and litigation capabilities, particularly in the consumer electronics, wireless and software industries. Frank L. Bernstein, Vid R. Bhakar and Ronald S. Lemieux arrive from intellectual property boutique Singularity LLP as partners in the Squire Patton Boggs Palo Alto office. All three are well-known Silicon Valley veterans, and for Ron Lemieux and Vid Bhakar it is an exciting return to their roots, as both practiced at the firm earlier in their careers.
“This is a significant addition to our firm and our IP practice for several reasons. First, they deepen our roster of elite trial lawyers in the electronics, computer hardware and software areas,” said David Elkins, the firm’s global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group Leader. “Second, they add additional depth to our US PTO adversary proceedings practice – which is key given the prevalence of IPRs and PGRs. And third, we have known all three for many years, and know that they are great fits with our collaborative culture.”
The seasoned team of Silicon Valley lawyers have advised and represented technology companies around the world. Veterans of some of the biggest and most respected global law firms, and holding various leadership and executive level positions at those firms, the trio has intimate knowledge of cutting-edge legal issues and technological advancements, as well as deep ties with major innovators and players in the industry. They are innovative problem solvers and have tried cases before the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), in US district courts across the country, and have argued several successful appeals before the Federal Circuit. In addition to IP litigation, the trio has substantial experience negotiating technology license agreements, handling trademark transactions, and prosecuting patents across a broad range of industries.
“We look forward to working again with our former colleagues Ron and Vid and to welcome Frank. Their commitment to collaboration, cross-selling and a client-and-firm-first attitude match the values and culture that are central to our firm,” said Linda Pfatteicher, office managing partner of the San Francisco and Palo Alto offices.
“Returning to a larger platform, with a well-developed IP group and strong complementary practice groups, provides us with the tools and resources to satisfy pent-up client demand and offer them a full suite of services both in the US and around the world. We are excited for this opportunity and look forward to collaborating with both our old and new colleagues,” said Mr. Lemieux.
About the New Squire Patton Boggs Partners
Ron Lemieux has served as lead counsel in more than 200 IP cases, trying more than 20 jury and non-jury trials to a final judgment, and has argued several successful appeals before the Federal Circuit. Mr. Lemieux’s experience covers a wide range of technologies and industries, including computers, consumer electronics, wireless, logistics and semiconductors, as well as pharmaceuticals, plant seed varieties, and medical devices. In March 2014, Mr. Lemieux and Mr. Bhakar co-founded IP boutique Singularity LLP. Prior to Singularity, Mr. Lemieux practiced at several AmLaw 100 firms, including two decades at Squire Patton Boggs, where he held leadership and executive management positions. Mr. Lemieux is highly regarded in the industry, garnering numerous accolades, including being recognized as a top patent litigation lawyer in the IAM Patent 1000 every year since 2014; a Northern California Super Lawyer every year since 2012; by Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific; as a “Client Service All-Star” by General Counsels of the Fortune 1000 (2009); and selected to be a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society recognizing the top 5% of trial lawyers nationwide.
Frank L. Bernstein’s practice combines extensive US PTO experience, in both pre-grant and post-grant patent matters, and substantial US district court experience in all phases of courtroom proceedings in patent infringement litigation, from pre-filing investigations, through claim construction, hearings, trial and appeal. His focus covers a wide spectrum of high technology areas, including computers, software, electronics, semiconductors, wireless, e-commerce and areas of mechanical engineering. Mr. Bernstein joined Singularity in 2015, after a long stint at a well-known national IP boutique where he held leadership positions. He is a frequent panelist and speaker on the regional and national platform, covering topics such as recent patent precedent and legislation, open source software, and patent portfolio development and management. Mr. Bernstein has been recognized in the 2014-16 editions of the IAM Patent 1000, and named a Managing Intellectual Property “IP Star” from 2016 to 2018, as well as a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2017 and 2018.
Vid R. Bhakar focuses his practice on IP matters with an emphasis on patents and computer-related technologies. In addition to patent litigation, Mr. Bhakar has extensive experience in technology transactions and patent prosecution. He has significant depth of knowledge in computer hardware and software, user interfaces, gaming, social networks, e-commerce, logistics, internet and network architectures, fiber optics, optical storage, wireless communication systems, encryption, bio-informatics, semiconductor design and fabrication, as well as medical devices and various mechanical and bio-mechanical technologies. Mr. Bhakar is a registered patent attorney and has prosecuted patents in a wide range of technical arts. He has spoken at numerous seminars and conferences on a various IP issues, including internet and business method patents, patent valuation and intellectual capital. Mr. Bhakar practiced at several global law firms in Silicon Valley, including Squire Patton Boggs, until he co-founded Singularity with Mr. Lemieux.