Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, today announced it has added Myra J. Pasek to its growing arsenal of patent and Intellectual Property litigators. Pasek, who most recently served as Associate General Counsel at Affymetrix, Inc., based in California, has extensive experience in managing and litigating high-stakes patent and other IP litigation matters, with a special focus in life sciences.
Pasek joins Preston Gates’ San Francisco IP Litigation Group in an of counsel position. Prior to Affymetrix, Pasek compiled 12 years of litigation experience at the law firms of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe and Latham and Watkins. Pasek worked with clients including Hoffmann-La Roche, Aureal, Inc., Siemens and Affymetrix.
Pasek’s addition marks the second recent coup for Preston Gates and its patent litigation group. In March, the firm added 15 intellectual property attorneys and technical specialists, located primarily in its Washington, D.C. office. That team, headed by Don Pelto, has a nationally recognized reputation in patent litigation and counseling for a broad range of life sciences, diagnostics, medical device and engineering companies.
Preston Gates’ patent litigation group has won several significant patent infringement cases this year, including a complete defense verdict for Boston-based Zmed, Inc. in its bioinformatics patent infringement case.
“Our IP litigation expertise, and success in federal courts on both the West and East coasts, continues as a core strength for Preston Gates, and a platform for continued growth,” said Michael Bettinger, who heads up the patent litigation practice out of the San Francisco office, and also serves on the firm’s executive committee. “I have worked with Myra for quite some time, and well know her skills both in the courtroom and the boardroom. She wins the confidence of her clients through her relentless drive and strong intellect.”
“Myra is a fantastic addition to the team, and will nicely complement our patent litigation practice in the life sciences arena,” said Don Pelto, who manages the firm’s IP litigation and counseling practice on the East Coast.
