IP Lawyer Steven Auvil Joins Squire Sanders

CLEVELAND and WASHINGTON, D.C. – (November 12, 2012) – Squire Sanders is pleased to announce the arrival of partner Steven M. Auvil, who joins as head of the Intellectual Property and Technology Group’s litigation practice in the US. He joins from Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, where he was chair of its Intellectual Property Practice Group. Mr. Auvil will split his time between Squire Sanders’ Cleveland and Washington DC offices.

“Productively using and protecting intellectual property remains a critical part of any company’s long term growth and success,” said David S. Elkins, global chair of Squire Sanders’ Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group. “Steve is held in high regard by his clients and by the IP litigation bar, he has a consistent history of winning tough cases, and he has an enviable track record as a practice group leader. His arrival not only enhances our IP capabilities in the Midwest and Eastern US but reinforces relationships with a number of our existing clients with whom Steve also worked at his former firm.” Elkins said that he expected Auvil would be fully busy upon his arrival on November 12.

Mr. Auvil has first-chaired many patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark/trade dress cases in US district courts throughout the US, and he has first-chaired a variety of other technology-related cases in courts and before arbitration tribunals. In addition, he has handled a significant number of disputes before US administrative agencies, including 337 actions before the US International Trade Commission and proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeals Board. He has also argued several patent-related appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

While IP litigation is his principal focus, Mr. Auvil is also a patent lawyer admitted to practice before the US Patent & Trademark Office, and has a wealth of experience counseling clients on IP portfolio developments; patent preparation and prosecuting; freedom to operate, infringement and invalidity opinions; and IP-related deals including exploitation through licensing.

“Very few firms offer a truly global and high-end platform, yet have a strong presence in the Midwest and on the coasts, and enable me to continue representing clients I have built great relationships with over the course of my career,” Mr. Auvil commented. “I’m excited to join Squire Sanders, work with David Elkins and others on his outstanding IP team, and build on the firm’s reputation for delivering excellent client service and results to its clients.”

Mr. Auvil is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA), and Federal Circuit Bar Association. He served as President of CIPLA in 2009-2010 and has held leadership positions in AIPLA since 2009. He has also been recognized as a leading lawyer by organizations, including Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Ohio Super Lawyers.

Mr. Auvil marks the latest addition to Squire Sanders’ industry-leading intellectual property capabilities. In May, partner Kam W. Law joined the Hong Kong office after holding various roles at leading multinationals including 3M and Samsung Electronics. A registered US patent attorney and qualified solicitor in the UK and Hong Kong, Mr. Law has a long track record of handling patent applications for Fortune 500 companies in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnological and renewable energy industries across China and the Asia Pacific region, the US, Canada, Brazil and Mexico, Europe and Russia