Aaron Barker

IAM Research

The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.

Recommended - Individuals: prosecution

Dorsey & Whitney has 103 staff members in its patent group, including 61 attorneys, and offers a boutique-like service alongside the resources of a muscular national – and international – business law firm. Its professional line-up in Salt Lake City is a good one, with a strong prosecution group being formed by Marcus Simon, Bryan Pratt and Grant Foster. Simon leads the local patent offering and comes in for high praise from lawyers at other outfits, who call him an “incredibly smart, well-trained and highly skilled practitioner”. He demonstrates impressive technical agility and wide-ranging sector knowledge, but has concentrated expertise in the energy, mining and medical device areas. One of his prominent clients is Becton, Dickinson and Company, a global leader in medical technology. Pratt serves as firmwide patent group leader and is an optimal choice for strategic prosecution and counselling in the mechanical, materials and electromechanical spheres. He and Foster provide comprehensive patent services to a world-leading American multinational technology company and have seen their role consistently grow over time as a reward for the quality they produce. Foster often links up with his trial lawyer brother, Brett Foster, to provide an end-to-end prosecution-to-enforcement service for patrons, including outdoor and hunting company Browning. One source comments: “Grant and Brett are the best IP lawyers I have used in my more than 30 years of private practice and while general counsel for several different companies. They are both very experienced and bring a wealth of knowledge to any issue we have faced. They are also extremely competent before examiners and judges.” Further litigation firepower is supplied by Mark Miller, who leads the local trial department. Whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, appearing in federal district courts, at the International Trade Commission or before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Miller uses his experience to strike all the right notes. Deepening its prosecution and strategic counselling bench, Dorsey & Whitney recently unveiled Aaron Barker and Matthew Bethards as its new local signings – they joined from Stoel Rives along with two other colleagues in March 2022.

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