Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Hari Santhanam has joined the firm as a Patent Litigation partner in the growing Chicago office. Hari joins Perkins Coie from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner in the Chicago office. 

Hari is the latest addition to the firm’s Intellectual Property practice and to the firm’s Chicago office, which has grown rapidly to become one of Chicago’s largest law firms.

“Hari’s trial experience and strong technical background will greatly benefit our clients, particularly with respect to complex patent litigation,” said Shannon Bloodworth, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Intellectual Property practice. “We are delighted that Hari has joined us as we continue expanding our IP capabilities both in Chicago and nationally.”

Informed by his deep technical background, Hari has a wide range of intellectual property and litigation experience, including trying bench and jury trials, arguing appeals, and preparing successful petitions for writ of certiorari. He is also registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney and he has led numerous patent reexaminations, inter partes reviews, and other post-grant proceedings.

“We are excited to welcome Hari to our Chicago IP team. His addition will enable us to bolster our client services locally and nationally,” said Chicago partner Dave Fournier, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Patent Prosecution practice.

“Hari’s addition will enable us to continue serving an expanding roster of technology, finance, fintech, healthcare, and startup and emerging company clients,” said Rick Sevcik, Perkins Coie’s Chicago office managing partner. “We are thrilled to welcome Hari to the Chicago office and to provide a national platform where he can continue to build his practice.”

Hari earned his J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and his M.S. and B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, where he has taught as an adjunct professor since 2014.