Chicago – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has added Patrick Richards as a partner and Clare Frederick and Trevor Martin as associates in its IP procurement and portfolio management practice. They will be based in the firm’s Chicago office, and join K&L Gates from Richards Patent Law P.C., an intellectual property firm Richards founded in 2009 after previously practicing at McDermott Will & Emery LLP. 
 
With extensive experience assisting clients with protecting their inventions and distinguishing their brands, Richards implements intellectual property strategies and advises on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. He has significant experience working with companies of various sizes, with an emphasis on advising startups, mid-sized businesses, and entrepreneurs. Richards counsels clients on numerous types of IP-related matters affecting the development and growth of a business’ IP assets, including IP portfolio acquisition and management; IP portfolio licenses, sales, and purchases; joint development agreements; and IP-related opinions concerning the availability, infringement, and enforceability of IP.
 
In addition to his legal practice, Richards co-founded a medical device software company, Resonance Medical, LLC, which focused on the development and commercialization of neuroinformatics software that powers hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other neuromodulation devices. The IP developed in Resonance is now being used in the commercial products of Soundwave Hearing, LLC. He has also been an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, having taught the NUvention: Medical course, an interdisciplinary learning program spanning medical innovation, intellectual property, regulatory, and business development issues from 2014-2018. 
 
Chicago partner Robert Barrett, a leader of K&L Gates’ global intellectual property practice area, commented: “Patrick and his team are the latest in a string of talented new lawyers we’ve welcomed this year to our leading IP practice. We are excited to continue to grow the practice with their extensive skillsets.”

The team’s arrival follows the additions of two other intellectual property partners this year: Chicago partner James Shimota and San Francisco partner Tom Anderton. K&L Gates has welcomed more than 20 new partners and of counsel in 2020, including in the firm’s corporate; health care; tax; commercial litigation; environment, land and natural resources; asset management and investment funds; IP procurement and portfolio management; IP litigation; real estate; government contracts; and investigations, enforcement and white collar practices.
 
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Patrick, Clare, and Trevor to K&L Gates,” said Michael E. Martinez, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Chicago office. “The team’s deep experience in the IP space will be a great asset to our clients in Chicago and across our global platform.”

K&L Gates’ intellectual property procurement and portfolio management practice has more than 200 lawyers, including approximately 100 registered patent lawyers, agents, and technology specialists with technical or advanced science degrees, who devote their practices to helping clients establish, enforce, and leverage their intellectual property rights worldwide. Together, these lawyers seamlessly work for clients in creating, developing, and leveraging patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and other rights to protect intellectual property assets as valuable business assets.