The Daily Journal has once again recognized Morrison & Foerster lawyers on its list of 2020 Top Intellectual Property Lawyers, including Palo Alto partner Catherine Polizzi and San Francisco partners Michael Ward and Stefani Shanberg.
Included on Daily Journal’s list every year since 2009, Catherine Polizzi remains a key player in the intellectual property realm. She helps emerging and established companies through the challenging process of obtaining patents, and provides strategic, effective portfolio counseling and management, as well as strategic advice surrounding freedom of operation and other forms of IP assessment. As highlighted in her interview with the Daily Journal, “The payoff for representing medical companies in patent matters happens when it results in a successful treatment for serious diseases.”
Global head of the firm’s Life Sciences Practice Group, head of the firm’s Patent Practice Group and co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, Michael Ward continues to provide unique insight into the cross-over between biology and law. In 2019, he helped a client secure a patent for its yellow-and-red striped pepper, as well as represented a client seeking a patent on its method of harvesting artichokes. Shining light on the future, Mike shared his thoughts on the future of the industry; “Because global climate change will put a bigger strain on resources, the agriculture industry will play a vital role in how food is grown under difficult or unusual circumstances.”
Included on Daily Journal’s list every year since 2011, Stefani Shanberg is a go-to advisor for many of the hottest technology companies facing IP lawsuits. Stefani has extensive experience in all areas of IP litigation and in complex commercial litigation relating to IP. This past year, she defended internet music service Spotify, in a first-of-its-kind hearing, as well as served as lead counsel before the International Trade Commission in defense of Amazon. Speaking with the Journal, Stefani noted relationships and results as the key to success; “I have been fortunate to be surrounded by excellent teams, to partner with clients I enjoy, and to achieve excellent results together.”
Full profiles for all of the winning lawyers have been featured in a special Intellectual Property Lawyers issue that was published on March 18, 2020.