Senate Judiciary Committee's Chief IP Counsel Joins Covington

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Nov 12, 2013, 10:40 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Aaron Cooper, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's chief counsel for intellectual property and antitrust law, is joining Covington & Burling where he is expected to play a pivotal role in the firm's global public policy and government affairs practice.

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"Aaron's extensive experience in IP, antitrust law and policy development will be an important addition to our capabilities in helping clients address the multiple IP issues moving through Congress, the executive branch and the courts," said Timothy Hester, chair of the firm's management committee.

Mr. Cooper joins the firm's Washington office effective December 9. He plans to work closely with Jon Kyl and Howard Berman at Covington to help corporate clients navigate legislative initiatives in the IP and antitrust fields. As former members of the House and Senate Judiciary committees, those lawmakers previously worked closely with Mr. Cooper on a broad range of copyright and intellectual property issues. Richard Hertling, former chief counsel and staff director of the House Judiciary Committee and policy expert on IP issues, joined the firm's public policy practice in April.

According to Senator Kyl and Congressman Berman: "Aaron was among the most knowledgeable Senate staffers on intellectual property, antitrust and other issues of importance to U.S. and international business. He was widely respected on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol for his substantive expertise and his ability to get things done."

In his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Cooper had primary responsibility for all aspects of Chairman Patrick Leahy's intellectual and antitrust initiatives, including drafting, negotiating and developing the legislative strategy for passage of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act of 2011, which brought the most comprehensive change to the nation's patent laws in more than 60 years. Mr. Cooper was also the lead counsel for Chairman Leahy, responsible for drafting and helping secure passage of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, the Theft of Trade Secrets Clarification Act and numerous other IP laws enacted over the last several Congresses.

Contact: Rebecca Carr
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SOURCE Covington & Burling LLP