Announcements
Sept. 22, 2021

Kramer Levin Silicon Valley Office Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Silicon Valley office. 

Opened on Sept. 19, 2011, with the arrival of Silicon Valley office managing partner Paul J. Andre and partner Lisa Kobialka, the office is dedicated to intellectual property matters, primarily patent litigation in the technology and life sciences sectors. The office has experienced rapid growth since its inception. Its partner ranks have tripled through the elevation of four associates to partner: James Hannah, Kristopher B. Kastens, Hannah Lee and Michael Lee. Its head count has increased from two lawyers to 26 lawyers and patent agents.   

A Kramer Levin team led by Mr. Andre and Ms. Kobialka attracted nationwide attention in October 2020, when it secured the largest patent judgment ever in a patent infringement case against Cisco Systems Inc. The court awarded Kramer Levin client Centripetal Networks Inc. $1.9 billion in damages and interest plus running royalties for six years, thereby guaranteeing Centripetal at least $2.65 billion. The case also holds the distinction of being the first virtual trial in federal court.

“We are gratified by the remarkable success of our Silicon Valley office," said co-managing partners Paul H. Schoeman and Howard T. Spilko in a joint statement. “Paul and Lisa have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the development of an extraordinarily talented team. We plan to continue growing our IP practice to provide the most effective and cutting-edge legal services to our clients.”

"We are proud of our growth and all that we are accomplishing on behalf of our clients,” said Mr. Andre, who also co-chairs the firm’s Intellectual Property department. “We are grateful for the firm’s support and in particular the close collaboration of our IP colleagues in Kramer Levin’s New York office. Together, we form a unified team that is much greater than the sum of its parts.”

Kramer Levin's IP lawyers help clients develop and protect their intellectual property, advising them on everything from patent, trademark and copyright acquisition to worldwide IP portfolio management and patent litigation. Its litigation-focused team regularly asserts and defends IP-related claims in courts throughout the United States and Europe and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as the European Union Intellectual Property Office and European national intellectual property agencies.

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