ATLANTA (June 11, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that six SGR attorneys have been recognized on the IAM Patent 1000 List of World’s Leading Patent Professionals of 2024. Gregory J. Kirsch, Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black, William F. Long, Michael J. Riesen and Matthew P. Warenzak were recognized for their patent work in the state of Georgia, and Indhira A. LaPuma was recognized for her patent work in the state of Illinois. In addition, the firm has once again been recognized in the “highly recommended” category. IAM notes that the firm “demonstrates a blend of technical expertise, strategic foresight and genuine commitment to its clients’ success.”
The IAM Patent 1000, published by the “Intellectual Asset Management” (IAM) division of Law Business Research Ltd., of London, UK, shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in the pivotal area of patent law. IAM undertakes exhaustive qualitative research, identifying top firms and individuals based on their depth of expertise, market presence and sophistication of work. SGR’s IAM Patent 1000 profile may be found at: https://www.iam-media.com/rankings/patent-1000/profile/firm/smith-gambrell-russell-llp#analytics.
IAM provided specific comments on the SGR patent attorneys it recognized on the IAM Patent 1000 list:
Mr. Kirsch is a Partner and the Head of SGR’s Intellectual Property Practice. IAM noted the following comment from one of his clients: “Over the course of working together, I have been impressed by his depth of knowledge, meticulousness and commitment to excellence. He demonstrates a great understanding of both the technical and legal aspects of patenting.” He has an undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering, in addition to his law degree, and his legal practice focuses on the entire range of patent law services. In addition to his full-time legal practice, he serves as an adjunct professor of patent/IP law at both Emory University School of Law (Atlanta) and Washington University School of Law (St. Louis).
Dr. Jarecki-Black is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice and leads the firm’s biotech and chemical patent team. IAM noted, “Jarecki-Black draws on years of in-house experience at a pharmaceutical company to provide drafting, prosecution and strategy services to a variety of biotechnology and chemistry companies.” She has over twenty years of experience in both private and corporate practice, and previously served as the Global Head of IP for a major life sciences company. In addition to her law degree, she received her undergraduate degree in biology, her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology & Pathobiology, and an M.D.
Ms. LaPuma is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice and serves as Director of Operations for SGR Labs – a legal technology program within SGR that features a three-prong approach centered on the tenants of software implementation, data analytics, and automation. In addition to her law degree, she has an undergraduate degree in physics. As a former in-house counsel, she has significant experience managing global patent portfolios, forming strategic partnerships, drafting complex IP agreements, performing patent analyses for patent valuation, due diligence, and commercialization projects, and counseling clients on how to develop, acquire, and maintain strong intellectual property portfolios.
Mr. Long is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice receiving this recognition for the first time. IAM noted he “is a highly capable litigator with a wealth of experience across all areas of intellectual property.” In addition to his law degree, he has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, and an M.B.A. In patent disputes, Mr. Long has served as lead counsel in matters involving a wide range of intellectual property and technology issues, including, for example, patent and trade secret disputes involving computer software and hardware, pharmaceutical products (including Hatch-Waxman cases), chemicals, medical devices, industrial machines, and consumer products.
Mr. Riesen is a Partner in the Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices and serves as Executive Director of SGR Labs. IAM notes the following comments from one of his clients: “I cannot recommend Mike enough – easily our number one partner across our whole business. He is extremely diligent, highly responsive, always ahead of our thinking, and very creative in designing solutions and, of course, in winning results. He’s a phenomenal partner, and it always feels like he’s part of the team.” In addition to his law degree, he has an undergraduate degree in physics, and a Master’s degree in Engineering, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
Mr. Warenzak is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice. IAM notes “Warenzak dispenses both patent and trademark counsel regarding his clients’ international portfolios.” In addition to his law degree, he has an undergraduate degree in industrial and systems engineering. His representation of clients includes a wide variety of general patent matters, including enforcing clients’ patent rights, representing clients in post grant review proceedings with the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board, prosecuting applications to obtain patents, and providing counsel in patent portfolio management. In addition to his full-time legal practice, he serves as an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of Georgia School of Law. He also serves as the firm’s Pro Bono Chair.
With more than 40 Intellectual Property professionals practicing in eight cities – Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New York, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP offers a full range of intellectual property services. SGR’s patent prosecution lawyers possess technical backgrounds in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial and biomedical engineering. Seven (7) of our patent professionals have advanced degrees (Masters and/or PhDs) in their respective fields. Our patent attorneys and agents are registered to represent clients before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and two are UK solicitors licensed to practice at the European Patent Office (EPO). We actively assist our clients in procuring patents at patent offices worldwide through our network of foreign associates. Our patent attorneys and agents have substantial experience with the full range of patent legal services, including patent application preparation, prosecution, opinions (patentability, validity, and infringement), freedom-to-operate, patent clearance, post-grant proceedings, oppositions, due diligence, and other strategic services.
Learn more about our Intellectual Property capabilities here: https://www.sgrlaw.com/practices/ip/.
About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.