Nationally Renown Biotech Attorney Dale C. Hunt Expands Sonnenschein's Biotech and Life Sciences Practice
June 4, 2007
(SAN FRANCISCO/ST. LOUIS, June 4, 2007)--National law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP today announced the addition of nationally-renowned biotech attorney Dale C. Hunt and others, expanding its Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group with five new members. The individuals, all of whom have extensive backgrounds in the areas of patent law and biotechnology, will be part of the firm’s thriving Life Sciences practice.
Hunt, whose clients include start-up companies, plant breeders, universities and multinational corporations, will practice in Sonnenschein’s San Francisco office. Joining him there is senior associate Sheila R. Gibson, with whom he previously worked at Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP. Also joining the firm in San Francisco is Hal William Gibson. In addition, Sonnenschein has added senior associate Saul Zackson and scientific adviser Patricia Keller to its St. Louis Life Sciences practice.
“Dale is an outstanding biotech and life sciences patent attorney, and is a very welcome addition to our IP&T team both in the Bay Area and across the country,” said Carol Anne Been, national chair of Sonnenschein’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group. “Dale will be supported by our new colleagues in San Francisco, and his practice will be complemented by our other new colleagues and existing practice in St. Louis. Our new members bring a range of experience in the critical areas of patent law, agricultural biotechnology, biological science, pharmaceuticals and immunology. Together, these five individuals will provide enormous benefits for our clients.”
A frequent author, Hunt’s articles have been published in Managing Intellectual Property, National Law Journal, San Francisco Daily Journal and Plant Science. He has delivered numerous speeches and seminars and is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the American Society of Plant Biologists and the National Association of Plant Patent Owners. The majority of Hunt’s work involves a variety of pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, plant biotechnology and clean technology projects.
“Sonnenschein’s commitment to intellectual property law, underscored by the recent office openings in key locations like Silicon Valley, Dallas and Charlotte, is very impressive, ” said Hunt. “The firm’s devotion to patent prosecution and patent-related transactions in the biotech field will provide me with a great opportunity to help my clients.”
Hunt received a J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. He has an M.S. degree in genetics and a B.S. degree in botany, both from Brigham Young University.
Sheila Gibson is a patent attorney whose professional experience includes working in the Gene Therapy Division of Chiron Technologies. She received a J.D. degree from the University of Southern California Law School and a B.S. degree in microbiology and molecular genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Gibson has practiced with Hunt for more than five years, working primarily on patent matters in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, genetics and diagnostics.
Hal Gibson is a registered patent attorney who works on biotechnology intellectual property portfolios and has helped establish a protein laboratory and purification protocols for a start-up biotech company. Mr. Gibson earned a J.D. degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a B.S. degree in biology from California State University, San Marcos. Previously, Mr. Gibson was an associate at Krause Kalfayan Benink & Slavens, LLP.
Zackson’s work focuses on treating age-related degenerative diseases, the development of tissue regeneration, and opinions of counsel and strategic planning for university research and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Zackson earned a J.D. degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of California, Berkeley. He received a B.S. degree, cum laude, in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University.
Keller, a patent scientist who has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Kansas, has spent the past 20 years as a research and patent scientist at pharmaceutical and life science companies, including G.D. Searle, Monsanto and Pharmacia. Most recently, she was an intellectual property manager at Pfizer. Keller earned an M.A. degree in immunology and microbiology from the University of Kansas and a B.A. degree in biology from the University of Missouri.
At Sonnenschein, we are committed to providing the highest-quality legal and counseling services for all of our clients, all of the time. They include many of the world’s most admired businesses, nonprofits and individuals. Through integrated, inter-office teamwork, we help them to prosper and grow. For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com.
Media Contact:
Jeff Mutterperl
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
(212) 398-8470
jmutterperl@sonnenschein.com
