IP Litigator Joins DLA in Los Angeles

(Los Angeles) July 19, 2012 – DLA Piper announced today that Franklin D. Kang has joined the Intellectual Property and Technology and Korea practices as a partner in the Los Angeles office.

Kang, a native Korean speaker, joins DLA Piper from Latham & Watkins LLP, where he served as relationship and IP counsel to many Korea-based clients in numerous high-profile, cross-border litigation and transactional matters, and helped lead Latham’s Korea Practice. Kang has extensive experience litigating patent and other intellectual property cases in jurisdictions across the United States, including before the International Trade Commission, as well as large, complex arbitrations involving intellectual property and highly technical issues.

“Frank’s wealth of experience developing a Korea-based practice and his strategic relationships throughout the region will make him an essential asset to the continued growth of the firm’s presence in Asia,” said John Allcock, global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Intellectual Property and Technology practice.

“Frank will help us expand our leading Asia-based technology practice and our electronics and life sciences patent litigation capabilities in the US and internationally,” said Richard de Bodo, co-chair of DLA Piper’s Patent Litigation practice and co-chair of the firm’s Global Life Sciences practice. “Adding high-quality lawyers like Frank and Joseph Lavelle, who recently joined our Washington, DC, office, demonstrates our continuing commitment to grow our Patent Litigation practice and make it preeminent.”

Kang added, "DLA Piper’s extensive global footprint, pioneering commitment to and presence in Korea and consistent strength across diverse practice areas will enhance my ability to effectively serve Korea and other Asia-based clients, as well as US-based clients, in vital cross-border litigation and transactional matters."

Kang recently served on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association and as co-chair of numerous subcommittees of the Patent Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law.

He is a member of the Michel Intellectual Property American Inns of Court, International Association of Korean Lawyers, Korean American Bar Association and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. In 2006, Kang was elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honorary organization consisting of distinguished lawyers, judges and law professors.

Kang has represented numerous Korean clients in both negotiations and court proceedings. He is an alumnus of Cornell Law School, where he served as Notes Editor of the Cornell Law Review, and UCLA, where he graduated summa cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa and highest honors.

About DLA Piper (www.dlapiper.com)

DLA Piper has 4,200 lawyers in 31 countries and 77 offices throughout the Americas, UK, Continental Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.