Foley announced today that Jose L. Patiño and Nicola A. Pisano have joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice as partners in the San Diego/Del Mar office. Both attorneys were previously partners at Jones Day.

Patiño represents companies in high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes. He has argued before the courts of 20 states and has extensive experience with patent litigation proceedings, including before the International Trade Commission, and as special intellectual property counsel in bankruptcy court. Pisano has litigated patent and trade secret matters in federal district courts nationally and in interference proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has represented startup companies with respect to managing worldwide patent portfolios, licensing and strategic planning, and venture capital firms regarding intellectual property due diligence of investment targets engaged in developing medical devices and energy and wireless technologies.

“The addition of these accomplished attorneys serves to strengthen Foley’s standing as a firm that is uniquely positioned to represent clients in high-profile intellectual property matters, and establishing an important added dimension to our West Coast bench in the high tech area,” said Pavan K. Agarwal, partner and chair of Foley’s Intellectual Property Department.

“The depth and diversity of Joe and Nick’s experience will be instrumental in strengthening our already strong Intellectual Property Litigation Practice,” said Matthew B. Lowrie, chair of Foley’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. “We look forward to the many contributions they will bring to clients alongside our team of highly regarded attorneys in Del Mar.”

A frequent speaker and writer on patent litigation and practice development issues, Patiño has presented before the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. He is also a Master of the J. Clifford Wallace Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Pisano has extensive experience litigating software, wireless communications, encryption, semiconductor, telephony, Internet-based, mechanical and medical device technologies, and also advises numerous start-up and mid-sized high tech and med tech companies in connection with patent portfolio management, procurement and investment diligence.

“We’re pleased to welcome both Joe and Nick to our Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, and know they’ll be strong assets to what is already a thriving practice group in San Diego and Del Mar,” said Van A. Tengberg, managing partner of Foley’s San Diego and Del Mar offices.

Patiño is deeply committed to pro bono work, currently serving as board member of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and on the advisory board of the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project. He has also been recommended by The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation-Intellectual Property and in the practice areas of Litigation-Intellectual Property and Litigation-Patent. He was named to San Diego Super Lawyers for Intellectual Property Litigation from 2008-2012. Pisano has also been named to San Diego Super Lawyers from 2010-2012.

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