Cozen O’Connor today announced Jeffrey T. Gendzwill and Keith D. Fredlake will be joining the firm’s Washington, D.C., Intellectual Property practice. Both Gendzwill and Fredlake join from Kilpatrick Townsend and will become members of the firm’s growing Intellectual Property practice that comprises nearly 50 attorneys representing national and international corporate clients from startups to multinational companies.
“We are excited to bring on two very talented patent attorneys who have extensive experience with patent protection and global counselling in the chemistry/life sciences tech area,” said Jonathan M. Grossman, Cozen O’Connor’s office managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office. “Patent preparation/prosecution and global counselling is a fluid and frequently-evolving landscape that requires the deep-seated skills and experience that Jeff and Keith bring to the practice.”
Gendzwill began his career as a chemical engineer in the automotive industry. This experience has served him greatly in his practice, which focuses on prep/pros, opinions, and counselling in the tech sectors of industrial chemicals, polymers, engineered materials, specialty chemicals, catalysis, energy, nutritional/pharmaceutical supplements. His practice also reaches into mechanical and biomechanical engineering, nanotechnology, physics, composite materials, and medical devices. In addition, he has represented multiple clients in disputes, both offensive and defensive, before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Jeff helps his clients, which include several industry-leading chemical manufacturers, to develop layers of patent protection and provide robust, worldwide intellectual property strategies.
“Having experience with global patenting/enforcement strategies, intellectual property development and security, and licensing rights is an area we are truly excited to build upon,” said Kerry B. McTigue, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Intellectual Property practice. “Jeff and Keith bring a complementary skill set and a tremendous depth of experience in both enforcing and defending patents on the national and global levels that we believe will remain very active spaces.”
Recommended by Legal 500 US for his work in patent protection, Fredlake works with clients on advanced materials, lubricant and polymer additives, bio-fuels and industrial chemical patents, as well as design patents. Like Gendzwill, he has represented clients in successfully invalidating competitor patents before the PTAB. He has performed numerous patent viability, validity, opposition searches, and infringement reviews for client portfolios. In addition to work with patents, he also has significant experience conducting trademark registration and clearance and has successfully negotiated before the U.S. Trademark and Appeal Board and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
“Having the depth of resources that Cozen O’Connor offers its clients gives us the opportunity to really expand upon our capabilities in such a compelling and growing space,” said Gendzwill. “We are looking forward to joining a team of highly skilled patent attorneys at a firm with such broad national and international reach.”
Fredlake added, “I am excited to have the opportunity to continue working with Jeff, where we can develop our complimentary skills in the patent protection and enforcement space along with the broad based experience of Cozen O’Connor. This move positions our client base to be successful in new challenges.”
Gendzwill earned his J.D. at the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude, and his B.S.Ch.E. from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Fredlake earned his J.D. at American University and a B.A. from Western State College of Colorado.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 750 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
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