Sterne Kessler Elects Three New Directors and Promotes Four Attorneys to Counsel

Washington D.C. (January 13, 2021) – Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is pleased to announce the election of Todd M. Hopfinger, Josephine Kim, and William H. Milliken to the directorship, effective January 1, 2021, and the promotion of Dohm Chankong, Cynthia L. DeRenzo, Ph.D., Brian Dudley, Ph.D., and Lauren C. Schleh to counsel.

“We are fortunate to be able to promote these talented lawyers. Each exhibits intelligence, enthusiasm, and creativity that shine brightly on our future. And each has a track record of commitment to our founding principles of teamwork, respect, and quality of client service,” said Managing Director Michael B. Ray.

The firm’s new directors are:

• Todd M. Hopfinger is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group. His practice includes the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, evaluations of client and adversarial patent portfolios, preparing infringement and invalidity opinions on behalf of clients, and advocating for clients in administrative trials before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He has deep experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in diverse technology spaces, including computer software, computer architecture, telecommunications, and bioinformatics. He also brings extensive technical expertise in computer security and cryptography developed through his research experience while receiving his M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining Sterne Kessler, he worked as a software engineer across several cutting-edge industries, including experience in Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technologies, web-based technologies, and bioinformatics. In addition to his M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering degree from the University of Michigan, he holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and a B.S. in Computer Science from Purdue University.
• Josephine Kim is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group. Her practice focuses on patent litigation in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission (ITC). She has litigated cases involving a broad range of technologies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and electrical arts. Josephine has experience with all phases of litigation and is also experienced in case management of complex, multi-party litigations. She has been a member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee for several years and has made significant contributions to the firm with her leadership in this area. Josephine holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, as well as English, from University of California at Berkeley.
• William H. Milliken is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group. Will’s practice focuses on patent litigation, with a particular emphasis on appellate litigation and cases arising under the Hatch-Waxman Act. He has experience briefing and arguing cases in the US Courts of Appeals, briefing and arguing complex motions before the federal district courts, and assisting with trial preparation in Hatch-Waxman and other patent-infringement litigation. He is active in the firm’s pro bono practice, where he has had significant success. Will clerked on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He has also authored two law review articles on constitutional criminal procedure and written several problems for Harvard Law School’s moot court competition. Will holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University, where he graduated summa cum laude and first in his class.

The firm’s new counsel are:

• Dohm Chankong is counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group. In his practice, he draws upon a wide breadth of patent knowledge obtained from over 17 years in the patent system with experience as a primary patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and as an associate in private practice. He brings unique insight into all patent-related matters, which include patent prosecution and patent office litigation experience across diverse fields, and provides strategic advice regarding patent portfolios and enforcement. Dohm’s technical experience spans numerous disciplines, including wired and wireless communications, digital devices, semiconductor devices, software-related inventions, telecommunications, and networking. He is a contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017. Dohm holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, in addition to both an M.S. and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
• Cynthia L. DeRenzo, Ph.D. is counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group. She assists in the preparation and prosecution of US and foreign patent applications and in the research and preparation of patentability, validity, and infringement opinions. Her areas of technical expertise include genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cellular biology. Cyndy is currently responsible for preparing and prosecuting applications directed to biopharmaceuticals, including antibodies and antibody-drug-conjugates, and production and uses thereof. She also conducts patentability and validity analyses in these fields. Cyndy earned her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center, her Ph.D. in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and her B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia.
• Brian M. Dudley, Ph.D. is counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group. Brian primarily assists in the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications, preparation of opinions of counsel, landscape and freedom to operate analysis, and due diligence. His professional expertise includes genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, stem cell biology, developmental biology, and microbiology. Brian earned his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, his Ph.D. in genetics from Case Western Reserve University, and his B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The College of Wooster.
• Lauren C. Schleh is counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Electronics Practice Group where he handles inter partes review proceedings at the PTAB and preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications. Lauren also has experience in representing both patent owners and third party requesters in ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings at the USPTO and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He has assisted in important aspects of patent litigation, licensing, and opinions. Lauren’s technical experience spans numerous disciplines, including OLED driving and pixel circuits, magnetic read/write head technology, video games, cellular communications, semiconductor manufacturing, and integrated circuits. He is also is a contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017. Lauren received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Based in Washington, D.C. and renowned for more than four decades for dedication to the protection, transfer, and enforcement of intellectual property rights, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. Its team of attorneys, registered patent agents, students, and technical specialists include some of the country’s most respected practitioners of IP law tackling innovations across a broad spectrum of industries. The firm’s practitioners hold over 50 masters and over 50 doctorate degrees in science or engineering and represent Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups, inventors, venture capital firms, and universities in a client service driven environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating. Visit the firm online at sternekessler.com.