Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg LLP is pleased to announce that three veteran IP litigators have joined the firm’s Northern California offices. The new partners, Duane H. Mathiowetz, Patricia L. Peden and Rick C. Chang, will continue to build strength in Novak Druce’s litigation and licensing practice. The trio practiced together at Howrey LLP, where they litigated and tried patent infringement cases in courts across the country. After taking divergent paths, they joined Novak Druce to practice again as a group alongside a number of their former Howrey colleagues now at Novak Druce.

The group will add to Novak Druce’s already deep roster of IP litigation attorneys. The firm has over 70 lawyers in its litigation practice, of which 30 have first- or second-chaired jury trials. Novak Druce’s litigation practice is supported by a deep bench of technological experts, including over 100 professionals registered with the United States Patent Office. The team will work closely with Novak Druce’s existing offices in Houston, Washington D.C., Boston, Delaware, Los Angeles, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Philadelphia to provide additional bandwidth to our litigation clientele.

“We were approached by Patricia Peden, who reached out to partner Katy Basile, who – like many of us – is also a former Howrey partner,” notes Gregory Novak, Managing Partner and CEO of Novak Druce. Mr. Novak elaborates that “… Duane, Patty and Rick had been an effective team in the past and deliver a diversity of strengths that combined are formidable.” He further notes that “… with them wanting to come together again, we knew that their new home had to be with us at Novak Druce.”

Katy Basile, Co-Chair of the firm’s Trademark and Branding practice commented that “… when Patty and then Duane approached me, it not only brought back memories of how we worked together effectively in the past, it also presented an opportunity to continue bringing together highly skilled lawyers that share a common thread with many of us at Novak Druce and who as well share our beliefs toward serving clients across our national platform.”

“Like Novak Druce, I place a premium on being able to offer clients a full range of litigation options, from Patent Office post-grant review through trial. There are few firms better positioned to meet my clients’ needs in the post-AIA world,” Mr. Mathiowetz said. He further commented that “… Novak Druce is a true full-service IP firm; it offers top-tier prosecution and post-grant review capability, as well as full-scale litigation and trial capability in the district courts and at the ITC. I am looking forward to working with Patty and Rick and our partners at Novak Druce to become the go-to firm for all aspects of patent litigation.”

The group brings diverse but complimentary experiences to their practice. Duane Mathiowetz is a registered patent attorney and a highly experienced litigator, having litigated cases in district courts throughout the country and before the International Trade Commission. He has tried patent cases to jury verdict and played lead roles in multiple ITC investigations. He has argued multiple times before the Patent Office and at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Mathiowetz received undergraduate and advanced degrees in mechanical engineering and worked in industry for more than a decade before obtaining his law degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University Law School, where he currently teaches patent law.

Patricia Peden is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on patent infringement cases. She has substantial experience litigating cases in the Eastern District of Texas, the Northern District of California and other magnet venues for intellectual property disputes. Ms. Peden also maintains an active appellate practice. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard C. Tallman, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and for the Honorable David Folsom, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. She received her law degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law.

Rick Chang joins the firm from Apple Inc. He is a registered patent attorney with vast experience in intellectual property litigation and transactions. Mr. Chang’s practice focuses on IP litigation, inter partes review, licensing, settlement and negotiations, and a full spectrum of technology-related matters. He has substantial practical experience in patent litigation and trial work and has appeared in courts throughout the United States. He received his law degree from UC Hastings College of Law. He has served as an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University Law School and at Golden Gate University Law School.

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