Sterne Kessler Adds 2 Kellogg Huber IP Pros as Directors

By Kevin Penton

Law360, New York (January 30, 2017, 1:19 PM EST) — Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox PLLC has added two intellectual property litigators previously with Kellogg Huber Hansen Todd Evans & Figel PLLC who specialize in Abbreviated New Drug Application matters as respective directors of two practice groups, the firm has announced.

Michael E. Joffre will serve as co-chair of Sterne Kessler’s appellate group and J.C. Rozendaal will serve as co-chair of the firm’s litigation group, as they continue to hone their expertise in ANDA matters and in representing technology and consumer electronic clients in IP litigation, according to Sterne Kessler’s Jan. 25 announcement.

Joffre focuses his practice on IP disputes in trial and appellate courts throughout the U.S., working on a broad range of technologies, including microprocessors, mechanical devices and telecommunications networks, according to the firm. He is also a registered lobbyist who counsels clients seeking legislative reform of the nation’s patent laws, according to Sterne Kessler.

“We are thrilled to join a firm with such an extraordinary team of talented lawyers who focus exclusively on IP,” Joffre said in a statement. “Sterne Kessler has a proven track record in patent law, especially at the PTAB, and we look forward to the synergies that our combined teams can bring to district court and appellate litigation.”

Rozendaal focuses his practice on complex business and IP litigation in trial and appellate courts, working on technologies such as streaming video technology, optical disc drives and aseptic packaging systems, according to the firm.

“We are proud to make Sterne Kessler our new home,” Rozendaal said in a statement.

Joffre received his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, his law degree from Harvard Law School and a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Chicago, according to Sterne Kessler. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, the First and Federal Circuits, the District Courts for the District of Columbia and Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and the state of Massachusetts, according to the firm.

Rozendaal received undergraduate degrees from Oxford University and the University of Texas at Austin, his graduate degree from Oxford University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, according to the firm. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, the Fourth, Ninth and Federal Circuits, the District of Columbia and the state of Virginia, according to Sterne Kessler.

Sterne Kessler, founded in 1978, has approximately 130 attorneys working out of its office in Washington, D.C., according to the firm’s website.

“Having worked with J.C. and Mike for the past few years, we have learned that they are excellent lawyers and exceptional people,” Michael B. Ray, managing director of Sterne Kessler, said in a statement. “Their addition expands our capabilities to serve our clients in the full range of complex IP matters, and they are terrific additions to our team and to our firm leadership.”

–Editing by Stephen Berg.