Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP today announced that it has opened a Silicon Valley office, adding more depth and reach to its world-class intellectual property practice. The firm welcomes prominent IP partners Paul J. Andre and Lisa Kobialka, who both specialize in high-technology and life sciences litigation, to its new Silicon Valley office. These new partners will work closely with attorneys in the New York office, including those who already spend a significant amount of time in Silicon Valley servicing existing clients. Mr. Andre and Ms. Kobialka join Kramer Levin from the Silicon Valley office of King & Spalding.

“Along with our clients, we view IP as a tremendous growth area and believe the time is right for Kramer Levin to have an office in Silicon Valley,” stated Paul S. Pearlman, managing partner of the firm. “We are also excited to welcome Paul and Lisa to the firm’s new office,” Mr. Pearlman added. “The addition of these well-known and respected IP litigation attorneys will further augment our representation of clients in the technology and life sciences industries, two areas in which we are particularly strong.” 

Kramer Levin’s new office is located at 990 Marsh Road in Menlo Park, where the firm has leased 13,000 square feet of office space. The firm plans to add additional attorneys to the office in the near future. 

Kramer Levin’s Intellectual Property Department, now with nearly 60 attorneys, represents clients in a variety of industries in all aspects of intellectual property law including litigation, prosecution, licensing, due diligence and technology transactions. The department is involved, on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, in many of the most significant intellectual property litigation cases in the country before the federal district courts and appellate courts. 

Paul J. Andre focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation and counseling involving complex technology. He has represented clients in patent litigation matters throughout the United States on issues including biotechnology, medical devices, software and computer hardware. He also represents clients in intellectual property cases dealing with trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights. Mr. Andre received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, an M.S. degree in Immunology and B.S. degree in Biology/Physics from Middle Tennessee State University. He was also a Ph.D. candidate in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. 

Lisa Kobialka also focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation involving complex technology with a particular emphasis on computer science, electrical arts and life sciences. She has also handled litigation matters dealing with trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, and fiduciary duty, false advertising and unfair competition in federal and state courts in numerous jurisdictions. Ms. Kobialka received her J.D. from University of San Francisco Law School, an M.M degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a B.A. degree at the University of California, Davis. She is an active member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. 

“The opportunity to join Kramer Levin’s vibrant and growing IP group provides us with an excellent opportunity to expand our practice and will enhance Kramer Levin’s already strong presence in Silicon Valley,” Mr. Andre said.