Perkins Coie Strengthens National Patent Litigation Practice with Four Prominent Partners

Stefani Shanberg, Nathan Sabri, Veronica Ascarrunz, and Robin Brewer join the firm in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 1, 2022) — Perkins Coie announced today the addition of a prominent four-partner patent litigation group that further deepens the firm's powerhouse capabilities for technology sector clients in California and nationally. Partners Stefani Shanberg, Nathan Sabri, Veronica Ascarrunz, and Robin Brewer have all joined Perkins Coie's internationally recognized Intellectual Property (IP) litigation practice.

The diverse, Chambers-ranked group has significant experience winning major patent litigation cases, including before such critical venues as the International Trade Commission (ITC), and in district courts across the country. The group will be primarily based in the firm's San Francisco office with Veronica Ascarrunz, the current president of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association, joining the Washington, D.C., office. The group has significant client synergies with Perkins Coie's IP practice that serves global brands, Fortune 500 corporations, and innovators. The practice consists of more than 250 lawyers and patent agents committed to professional excellence and client success.

"Clients rely on us to help solve their most complex IP challenges, and Stefani, Nate, Veronica, and Robin's patent litigation prowess will expand our deep litigation bench to better serve our global technology and innovative clients," said Shannon Bloodworth, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie's IP practice. "This accomplished and diverse team will enhance our already strong leadership position in patent litigation, and we're truly excited to welcome these stellar lawyers to Perkins Coie."

Perkins Coie has added several high-profile women-led groups recently, including an 11-strong lawyer team from Kluk Farber Law PLLC, a New York-based emerging companies and venture capital boutique firm. Founded by partners Agatha Kluk and Sonia Farber, Kluk Farber's team of lawyers and business professionals will work from the firm's new Startup and Emerging Companies Center located in New York's Flatiron District. A group of five women lawyers, led by partner Stephanie Loomis-Price, also recently joined the firm's Trust & Estates planning practice in Texas and New York.

Team Background

Partner Stefani Shanberg (San Francisco) is a veteran patent litigator who specializes in representing technology companies in IP cases before the ITC and federal district courts. Stefani has a nationwide practice and is ranked by Chambers USA in two categories: International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337); and California: Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation. She has regularly won significant patent cases for leading technology companies, including Amazon and Spotify, before the ITC and in federal court, and is a past-president of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association. The move marks a return to Perkins Coie for Stefani, who is a former firm partner.

Partner Nathan Sabri (San Francisco) is an IP lawyer with significant trial experience who focuses on representing clients in the high-tech and consumer products industries, including in the blockchain, network security, and semiconductor sectors. Nate has successfully represented a range of leading technology companies and national brands in patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret cases, including smartphone cases that resulted in four jury verdicts of over $1 billion.

Partner Veronica Ascarrunz (Washington, D.C.) is an IP litigator with deep experience representing clients before the ITC, the USPTO, and in federal courts. Veronica has secured successful wins for dozens of clients in Section 337 ITC investigations and is Chambers USA-ranked for International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337). She represents clients in the software, semiconductor, medical devices, and pharmaceutical industries. Veronica is the president of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association.

Partner Robin Brewer (San Francisco) is an experienced patent litigator who focuses primarily on patent litigation in federal district courts, and the ITC. Robin has been recognized by Chambers USA as "Up and Coming" in International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) and has handled cases involving a broad range of technologies including everything from carburetors to smartphones. Robin has won favorable legal victories for key technology clients on critical issues before the ITC, and her victories are now regularly cited precedent.

Expanding Patent Litigation Capabilities

Perkins Coie's formidable patent litigation practice will gain additional strength and expertise with the new group, particularly with respect to ITC-related representations for technology industry clients.

"This go-to group of patent litigators for major technology companies and other sophisticated clients will further expand and complement our already strong presence litigating high stakes cases in the Bay Area and beyond," said Laura Zagar, the managing partner of Perkins Coie's San Francisco office. "Their addition broadens the services and solutions we can provide our clients and continues the robust growth and diversity of our San Francisco office, where the majority of our partners are now women."

The four-partner group joins Perkins Coie from Morrison Foerster LLP.

Perkins Coie's IP practice is consistently recognized for its international success and its commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work culture. The full-service IP practice is ranked regionally and nationally in the United States, in China, and globally by Chambers and several leading IP publications. Perkins Coie was a back-to-back finalist in The American Lawyer's most recent IP Litigation Department of the Year industry awards. The firm was also named to the ChIPs Honor Roll for the second year in a row, one of just three law firms recognized for Excellence in Gender Inclusion in IP law in 2022.