Foley and Lardner LLP issued the following announcement on Oct. 28.
Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Stephen Smerek has joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and IP Litigation Practice Group as a partner in the Los Angeles office. Smerek was previously a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, where he was a key part of the firm’s ANDA patent litigation practice, nominated for Hatch-Waxman litigator of the Year (2017) and recognized nationally as a Life Sciences Star (2017—2019). Smerek also served as co-chair of Winston’s Class Action practice and vice-chair of the eDiscovery & Information Governance Practice.
Smerek has more than 25 years of experience representing clients in intellectual property and complex commercial litigation matters, including pharmaceutical patent litigation and consumer class action cases. His clients range from well-known international manufacturers and retailers to niche regional businesses and start ups, and encompass a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technology, retail, consumer products, banking and financial services.
“Stephen is a tremendously accomplished lawyer with strong trial skills and deep knowledge across multiple sectors,” said Jeffrey Atkin, managing partner of Foley’s Los Angeles office. “Stephen’s addition is the latest in a string of high-caliber talent we’ve attracted to broaden our transactional and litigation service offerings in the Los Angeles office. We have expanded the office by 16 lawyers over the past three years, including the additions of Phillip Hosp, a partner in the Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice, and Kathleen Smalley, an of counsel in the Real Estate Practice, earlier this year. We look forward to continued growth as we expand our services and presence in the Greater Los Angeles market.”
A proven first-chair trial attorney, Smerek’s experience includes bench and jury trials throughout the United States. He has successfully resolved numerous litigation matters on behalf of his clients through strategic settlements and dispositive motions, at trial and on appeal. In addition to his litigation practice, Smerek has expansive knowledge of the efficient management of evolving electronic discovery issues as they relate to complex commercial cases.
“Stephen is a top notch litigator with a truly impressive track record,” said Jeffrey Costakos, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. “As an accomplished trial lawyer, Stephen’s demonstrated legal agility, combined with his work successfully resolving complex matters for a diverse client base, will be an enormous asset to the practice in meeting the evolving business and intellectual property needs of our clients.”
After graduating from Boston University School of Law, where he finished first in his class, Smerek clerked for the Honorable Joseph L. Tauro, then Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Smerek has been recognized repeatedly as a “Life Science Star” by LMG Life Sciences for his representation of pharmaceutical manufacturers. He has also received recognition by The Legal 500 U.S. for Dispute Resolution.
Original source can be found here.