Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Announces Election of Five New Directors

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Jan 10, 2012, 09:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C., an intellectual property law firm based in Washington, DC, recently announced the election of five new Directors – Paul A. Calvo, Ph.D., Byron L. Pickard, Marsha A. Rose, Ph.D., Mark W. Rygiel, and Daniel E. Yonan – effective January 1, 2012.

"2011 was another year of strong growth for our firm – growth fueled by excellent lawyers like Paul, Byron, Marsha, Mark and Danny," said Michael B. Ray, Managing Director at SKGF. "Inviting each one to join our directorship was an easy decision because they are excellent lawyers and top quality people who personify our culture of team work and camaraderie."

Paul A. Calvo, Ph.D. is a Director in the Biotechnology/Chemical Practice Group. Dr. Calvo's focus is on providing counsel with regard to global patent portfolio strategy, licensing, patent validity, infringement and design around strategies. He also has extensive technical expertise in the areas of therapeutic antibodies, vaccines, cellular immunology, cell and molecular biology, and biotherapeutics. Dr. Calvo received his J.D. from The Catholic University of America, his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from Allegheny University of the Health Sciences and a B.S. in Biology from The University of Scranton.

Byron L. Pickard is a Director in the Litigation Practice Group who focuses his practice on patent suits, trademark and trade-dress issues, copyright matters, licensing disputes, and commercial disputes affecting intellectual property. He has litigated a broad range of patent-infringement matters, including suits involving nanotechnology, genetic sequencing, microfluidics, genetic diagnostics, clean-fuel technologies, pharmaceuticals under the Hatch-Waxman Act, in vivo imaging, software, mechanical and design patents. Mr. Pickard received his J.D. and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Marsha A. Rose, Ph.D. is a Director in the Biotechnology/Chemical Practice Group. Dr. Rose specializes in patent procurement and freedom to operate for the biotechnology and chemical industries, including patent drafting, patent prosecution, assisting clients with patentability strategies and designing around patents, and providing patentability, infringement, and validity opinions. She is also experienced in prosecuting and investigating patents related to various molecular biology and chemical technologies. Dr. Rose holds her J.D. from George Mason University with honors, a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.S. in Chemistry at Berry College with honors.

Mark W. Rygiel is a Director in the Mechanical and Trademark Practice Group. Mr. Rygiel's practice focuses on patent procurement, strategic counseling and opinion work, licensing, litigation and reexamination proceedings. He has extensive experience preparing and prosecuting utility and design patent applications in diverse areas, including consumer products, vehicle systems, medical devices, solar technologies, manufacturing, and internet-related technologies. Mr. Rygiel received his J.D. from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Daniel E. Yonan is a Director in the Litigation Practice Group who specializes in intellectual property litigation before federal district courts, as well as Section 337 fast-track investigations before the United States International Trade Commission (USITC). He has extensive trial experience, and has represented pharmaceutical clients in more than 10 Hatch-Waxman Act litigations, as well as domestic and international complainants and respondents in more than 15 USITC unfair import investigations. Mr. Yonan holds a J.D. from John Marshall Law School and a B.S. in Chemistry from The University of Illinois.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. - Strategists and Advisors specializing in the protection, transfer and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights. Founded in 1978 and based in Washington, DC, the firm has over 150 patent attorneys, agents and technical specialists representing a broad range of clients, including emerging and established companies, venture capital firms, universities and select individuals.

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