Building upon recent intellectual property growth nationwide, Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli welcomes four new patent attorneys to its national Intellectual Property Department and Seattle office. Emily C. Peyser and Margie Aoki join as shareholders, Katherine D. Lee joins as counsel, and Jennifer Junkin as associate. The group joins Polsinelli from the Seattle office of Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC.
With ongoing growth plans in the market, Polsinelli will build its Seattle IP team around this core group of highly experienced attorneys, who are among the top patent attorneys in Seattle. Collectively, the new team of four brings a breadth of experience in software, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering and high tech, each attorney having a specific role that enables service for a sophisticated client base over a full range of disciplines.
“As our IP Department remains focused on strategic growth from coast to coast, we are very excited about the additions of Emily, Margie, Katherine and Jennifer; a team of this caliber is a homerun for Polsinelli as we continue to develop our IP presence in Seattle,” said Polsinelli Intellectual Property Department Chair Patrick Woolley.” These four lawyers work on incredibly sophisticated matters on behalf of their clients and bring new technical skillsets to further enhance our IP Department.”
“It’s an exciting time to join Polsinelli’s growing IP Department and collaborate with so many talented lawyers, scientists and patent agents,” said Emily Peyser. “Margie, Katherine, Jennifer and I have a great opportunity to expand the firm’s IP offerings within the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Patent Prosecution space – both locally here in Seattle and across the country through Polsinelli’s national platform. We are encouraged by the firm’s business-minded approach, celebration of diversity, and emphasis on excellent client service.”
With one of the largest IP practices in the nation, Polsinelli’s IP Department is nationally ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 “Best Law Firms” for Patent Law, Trademark Law and Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Patent in 2019.
Polsinelli expanded its geographical footprint in the Pacific Northwest when it opened its 21st U.S. office in Seattle in 2018. Providing a full spectrum of legal services in a range of industries, the Seattle office demonstrates the firm’s continued commitment to meeting the strategic business objectives of its regional and national clients.
Emily C. Peyser, Shareholder
Peyser is an experienced patent attorney and legal advisor, providing guidance to clients at every stage of the lifecycle of their intellectual property assets with an emphasis on strategic planning, procurement of U.S. and foreign patents, opinions, enforcement and licensing. Peyser has extensive technical experience in electrical, mechanical, aerospace and chemical engineering across a variety of complex technical areas, including satellite components and systems, semiconductor metal deposition processes, large-scale electrical energy store systems, biofuels and medical devices, to name a few.
Peyser’s technical industry knowledge comes from her years of working as a chemical engineer at several industry-leading companies, including one of the largest global aerospace manufacturers and an American multinational consumer goods corporation.
Peyser is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, and earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Peyser served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania, East Africa. She is recognized in the IAM Patent 1000 as a leading patent professional.
Margie B. Aoki, Shareholder
Aoki has extensive experience with the procurement of U.S. and foreign patents, freedom-to-operate and validity opinions, design-around strategies, due diligence for portfolio acquisitions and licensing.
Aoki manages domestic and international intellectual property portfolios for clients engaged in numerous industries, including those in manufacturing/machinery, heavy duty vehicles, agriculture and food science, aerospace, medical devices, alternative and clean energy and consumer products industries.
Aoki obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before earning a J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law. Aoki worked for a major semiconductor manufacturing company prior to earning her law degree.
Katherine D. Lee, Counsel
Lee focuses her practice on strategic patent procurement, patent post-grant proceedings, patent litigation and pre-litigation analysis. Her experience covers a wide range of computing technologies, including: cloud computing, mobile and wearable devices, data analytics, wireless communications systems, aerospace components, electrical energy storage systems, semiconductor fabrication and devices, medical devices and laser and optical-based systems.
Lee has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patents, and helps clients with the strategic development and management of their patent portfolios with a focus on adding business value to clients’ organizations. She has also participated in multiple post-grant proceedings and patent litigation lawsuits in a wide range of technologies.
Lee earned a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and an M.S. Highest Honors, in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where her main area of focus was in lasers and opto-electronics.
Jennifer L. Junkin, Associate
With a deep background in engineering, Junkin advises clients on protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights across aerospace, online gaming, manufacturing, cosmetics, medical device and technology industries. She has extensive experience drafting and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications. Junkin’s counseling expertise includes due diligence, landscape analysis, competitor analysis, freedom-to-operate, design patents and patentability opinions. She has experience with IP transactions, trademark prosecution and commercial and IP litigation, including inter partes review (IPR), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings and District Court litigation.
Prior to practicing law, Junkin spent six years working on commercial and military gas turbine engines at an American aerospace manufacturer where she transitioned from engineering to the legal team collaborating with engineers on invention disclosures, patent analysis and clearance analysis. Junkin is a patented inventor with a U.S. patent related to seal design in turbine engine technology.
Junkin earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.
Source: www.polsinelli.com
