Leading IP Team Joins Manatt

LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY — Oct. 14, 2014 — Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced the addition of a three-partner group to its Intellectual Property practice, including Robert W. Dickerson Jr. and Lawrence R. LaPorte in the firm’s Los Angeles office, and Yasser M. El-Gamal in Orange County. The team joins from Dickstein Shapiro LLP, where Dickerson had served as co-leader of that firm’s Intellectual Property practice and El-Gamal had served as administrative partner of its Orange County office.

Dickerson joins as chair of Manatt’s national Intellectual Property practice.

“Rob, Larry and Yasser are terrific additions, each with a well-earned reputation for creatively helping companies protect, manage and monetize their IP assets,” said Matt Kanny, chair of Manatt’s Litigation group. “Their wide-ranging experience with a variety of advanced technologies and strong track record of successes defending patent, trademark and copyright cases position them as key resources to our clients across a broad spectrum of industries, but particularly in the high-technology and digital media spaces. They join our already considerable IP group and, under Rob’s capable direction, this expanded national team will continue to drive the excellent client service that the firm is known for. This is a definite coup for Manatt.”

With more than 30 years of experience in IP litigation, Dickerson focuses his practice on patent, trademark, copyright, franchise and trade-secret cases. He represents companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 to startups in high-stakes patent litigation involving a variety of technologies. Dickerson also counsels companies on patent and trademark prosecution, IP portfolio management in the U.S. and globally, and IP licensing programs. His litigation experience includes the protection of design patent rights, the representation of franchisors and distributors in various legal and legislative matters, and general business litigation. Dickerson earned his B.S. from the University of California at Berkeley and his J.D., cum laude, from Southwestern University School of Law.

LaPorte’s IP litigation experience includes the representation of high-technology clients in a variety of areas including software, automotive, aviation, solar power, semiconductors and biotechnology. He represents clients in patent, trademark, trade secret, antitrust, unfair competition and contract cases. LaPorte also counsels clients on business-method patents and IP protection strategies, including obtaining and enforcing IP rights in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. LaPorte earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School.

El-Gamal has more than 20 years of experience in patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright matters. He counsels clients on IP litigation matters, patent and trademark prosecution in the U.S. and numerous foreign countries, strategic management of IP portfolios, technology transfer agreements, product development, and IP monetization. El-Gamal’s clients, also ranging from startups to multibillion-dollar companies, span a wide variety of industries, including biotechnology, consumer electronics, nanotechnology and software. Earlier in his career, El-Gamal worked as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and as an engineer for several national and international companies. El-Gamal earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and his M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. He received his J.D., with honors, from George Washington University Law School.

“Bringing in such a deeply credentialed and highly regarded team of IP lawyers fits perfectly with our strategic goals,” said William T. Quicksilver, Manatt’s chief executive officer and managing partner. “This group expands our capabilities in patent matters and broadens our intellectual property and litigation service offerings. Their impressive technical backgrounds complement our significant industry practices. We are thrilled to welcome them to Manatt.”

"This is an exciting time for us," said Dickerson. “Manatt’s impressive bench strength, expertise in a wide range of industries, and the extensive depth and breadth of practices make the firm an ideal fit for our evolving practices and the current needs of our clients. I was amazed at the way so many things lined up so well. A number of synergies already exist for us and our clients and we look forward to working with the team to further expand this already strong Intellectual Property group.”

Manatt's Intellectual Property lawyers work with a broad range of IP-intensive industries, creating and refining strategies for protecting and monetizing some of the most significant and valuable product innovations, brands and content in the marketplace. They provide top-notch transactional and litigation services, including counseling, registration, brand protection, mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal. In 2014, the firm is nationally ranked for excellence in IP litigation and copyright law on the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Law Firms.”

The additions were facilitated with the assistance of Larry Watanabe of Watanabe Nason, LLC.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation’s leading law firms and consulting firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.