International law firm Nixon Peabody LLP has expanded its Intellectual Property practice with the arrival in Boston of a team from Foley & Lardner. Partner John T. Gutkoski, a patent and intellectual property trial attorney who focuses his national practice on the emerging technology and life sciences industries, was previously the Boston office chairman of Foley & Lardner’s intellectual property department. Michelle Flores also joins Nixon Peabody from Foley & Lardner as counsel.
“John and Michelle bring significant additional strength to two priority practices for Nixon Peabody—life sciences and intellectual property,” said Andrew I. Glincher, CEO and managing partner of Nixon Peabody LLP. “Boston is an important market for our firm, given that it is home to our largest office. This team’s experience across biotechnology, medical devices, and digital media is an excellent fit with the legal needs of this market and our clients firmwide.”
Mr. Gutkoski has tried and litigated patent infringement cases throughout the country and across a wide variety of technology and life sciences areas, including pharmaceuticals, radiotherapeutics, laser and tissue interaction, medical devices, optics, nanotechnology, financial services, computer and network architecture, digital imaging, sound waves, semiconductors, telecommunications, vibration control, and Internet data.
Ms. Flores focuses her practice on all aspects of intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement, theft of trade secrets, and contractual issues related to intellectual property. She has been a member of several trial teams and litigated numerous matters that have involved a diverse array of technologies, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital cameras, polymer chemistry, reformulated gasoline, offshore oil production platforms, and computer software.
“We are excited about the depth of experience John and Michelle bring to Nixon Peabody’s medical device and pharmaceutical clients,” said Susan S. Robfogel, partner and leader of Nixon Peabody’s Life Sciences practice. “With a deep bench of patent lawyers, particularly in our Boston office, and a robust litigation practice that spans the full range of product, regulatory, and business issues, John and Michelle nicely complement our team.”
“John and Michelle have a successful track record winning intellectual property cases,” added Russell J. Genet, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice. “With more and more life sciences products and services integrating high-tech aspects, lawyers who can cover both sectors and their interaction provide a huge benefit to our clients.”
Mr. Gutkoski is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Boston Patent Law Association. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Barristers and was a member of the National Moot Court Board. Mr. Gutkoski graduated magna cum laude from Boston University. Ms. Flores graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas in environmental science and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tufts University. Upon graduation from Tufts, Ms. Flores worked as a chemist in Houston, Texas, for Bioassay Laboratories prior to going to law school. After law school, she held an in-house position with Exxon Mobil Corporation.
