ATLANTA (July 5, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that five of its Intellectual Property (IP) attorneys have been recognized in the 12th Edition of the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals of 2023, a unique guide that identifies the top patent professionals and firms in key jurisdictions around the globe. Gregory Kirsch, Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black, Indhira LaPuma, Michael Riesen, and Matthew Warenzak are recognized for their work in patent prosecution. Additionally, the Firm has been recognized for its patent work in the U.S. State of Georgia. SGR was praised for “providing total client support, smooth onboarding, and a seamless collaboration between its practitioners” and lauded for its “deep and growing bench which can handle a variety of technologies.”
Greg Kirsch, partner in and the department head of SGR’s IP Practice, earned positive feedback for being “a wonderfully well-rounded practitioner who executes all manner of patent instructions with finesse, while providing stellar customer service.” Mr. Kirsch’s practice encompasses the entire range of patent law, including patent procurement, strategic patent portfolio development, patent opinions, post grant proceedings, licensing, as well as patent litigation. In addition to his full-time legal practice, Mr. Kirsch 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. Judy Jarecki-Black, senior counsel in the Firm’s IP Practice, leads SGR’s growing biotech/chemistry patent team. She earned praise for her “diligent and thorough approach to U.S. prosecution and counselling” and was lauded for being “extremely responsive, providing comprehensive IP support and carefully nurturing client relationships.” With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Jarecki-Black is an accomplished patent and IP attorney in both private and corporate practice.
Indhira LaPuma, a partner in SGR’s IP Practice, was highlighted for the first time in the guide for her dual license in the U.S. and United Kingdom and the “rare dimension” she brings to the practice. As former in-house counsel, Ms. LaPuma 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.
Michael Riesen, a partner in the Firm’s IP Practice, serves as co-chair of the Entertainment Practice and executive director of SGR Labs. Mr. Riesen was praised as “solution-oriented” and highlighted for “immersing himself in his patrons’ technologies” and acting as an “extension of his clients’ in-house teams to serve as a true business partner.” Mr. Riesen’s work includes IP portfolio management and diligence, domestic and international patent prosecution, agreements, patent litigation, trademark prosecution, copyright management and licensing, technology transfer, regulatory compliance, and open source issues.
Matt Warenzak, a partner in SGR’s IP Practice and pro bono partner, earned his first recognition in the guide with feedback as “diligent when seeking the best results for clients in a time-efficient manner and called “thorough, conscientious and empathetic.” Mr. Warenzak is an experienced IP counsel, specializing in the enforcement and procurement of patents for his clients. In addition, he handles various trademark, copyright, licensing, and due diligence issues on behalf of his clients. In addition to his full-time legal practice, he also serves as an adjunct professor of patent law at University of Georgia School of Law (since 2014).
The IAM Patent 1000 shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in the pivotal area of patent law. The guide is compiled following an extensive research process over five months where IAM conducted 1,800 interviews with numerous attorneys at law, patent attorneys, and in-house counsel to gather market intelligence on the leading players in the field. Individuals qualify for a listing in the IAM Patent 1000 when they receive sufficient positive feedback from peers and clients with knowledge of their practice and the market within which they operate. In those markets in which practitioners have narrowed the focus of their work, the leaders are highlighted in tables in the respective areas of prosecution, transactions, and litigation. Only those individuals identified by market sources for their exceptional skill sets and profound insights into patent matters feature in the IAM Patent 1000. Firms qualify for a listing in similar tables on the basis of depth of expertise, market presence, and the level of work engagement.
To view the SGR profile and rankings, click here.
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 400 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. For more information, please visit www.sgrlaw.com.