Perkins Coie Adds Patent Prosecution Partner Thomas Yee to New York Office

NEW YORK (April 3, 2023)—Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Thomas (Tom) Yee has joined the firm in New York as an Intellectual Property (IP) partner in the Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Counseling practice.

Tom counsels clients on a broad range of IP issues, including strategic patent portfolio development, patent litigation, IP transactions and licensing, and trademark portfolio procurement. He also provides IP guidance to startups and emerging companies, drawing from his past experience working in the venture capital industry.

"Tom's thriving IP practice perfectly aligns with our holistic approach to serving clients at all stages of growth," said Shannon Bloodworth, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie's Intellectual Property practice. "His extensive experience optimizing the commercial value of clients' intellectual property and advising business leaders around the world on complex IP issues will be of great benefit to our clients."

Tom's clients include individual investors, medium-sized companies, and large multinational corporations across a variety of industries and technologies, including medical devices, software, blockchain and financial services, electronics, biotech, medical informatics, and medical cannabis. In addition to his robust IP practice, Tom has advised numerous startups and midsize companies during critical stages of growth and development.

"Tom's invaluable insight into IP development challenges and solutions for the hurdles early-stage companies face will provide synergies with our Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice," said David Fournier, firmwide chair of the Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Counseling practice. "Tom's deep experience will complement our team's talents and capabilities in serving our innovative client base."

"We're thrilled to welcome Tom to our expanding New York office and the additional counsel we'll be able to provide to clients in New York and beyond," said Ronald Sarubbi, Perkins Coie's New York office managing partner. "We continue to invest in leading legal talent amid strong demand for our legal services and solutions."

Tom's arrival follows the addition of IP Partner Masa Noda, who joined the Trademark, Copyright, Internet & Advertising group, and IP Senior Counsel Jon Carter, who joined the Patent Litigation group. Perkins Coie tripled its IP capabilities in New York in the last two years and now provides the full suite of IP services including patent litigation, patent prosecution, and trademark and copyright prosecution and enforcement. The IP growth in New York compliments the firm's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital capabilities in New York, which was expanded by the addition of the boutique firm, Kluk Farber, in December 2022. The New York ECVC team leads its practice from a new Startup and Emerging Companies Center in the Flatiron District.

Tom received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S. from Columbia University.

The internationally recognized Intellectual Property practice at Perkins Coie consists of more than 250 lawyers and agents in the United States and Asia who provide innovative, holistic counsel at every stage of IP protection and development.