New York, NY—Managing Intellectual Property has named nine Intellectual Property and Technology (IP&T) Dentons partners from offices around the country in the second edition of its annual “IP Stars” guide, a definitive resource on the leading IP expertise in the United States. The selected Dentons partners are designated as individual “IP Stars” in recognition of their specific experience in a variety of sectors and depth of knowledge in complex IP matters.

Selected to Managing IP’s 2014 "IP Stars" guide:

Joel Bock, Short Hills and New York. Joel leads the IP practice in the Short Hills office and the patent practice in the New York office, where he focuses on counseling companies in various industry sectors on a wide range of IP issues, including structuring and negotiating transactions involving IP assets, patent litigation and IP protection and prosecution. He has substantial experience running and leading diligence projects in numerous fields, from life sciences, medical devices, clean energy, semiconductors and electronics to telecommunications, software and publishing. Joel is recognized as a leading New Jersey IP lawyer in Chambers USA, where clients praise his "practical solutions" and laud him as "very smart." Due to his efforts, Dentons has been ranked as a leading IP firm in New Jersey for the first time.

Scott Cummings, Washington, DC. Scott practices in such diverse areas as medical devices, clean energy, nanotechnology, metallurgy, inorganic chemistry and automotive technologies, working with clients ranging from domestic startups to large multinational corporations. His practice is focused primarily on US Patent Office post-grant proceedings and District Court litigation.  He is frequent speaker on legal issues relating to emerging technologies and is an instructor for continuing legal education programs. He is also recognized as an “IP Star” by Managing IP for a second consecutive year.

Robert Hanson, Dallas. In addition to acting as a Chair of Dentons’ US IP&T practice, Robert serves on the Firm’s US Policy and Planning Committee and focuses his IP practice on patent counseling and prosecution in biotechnology and the life sciences. He has successfully argued numerous appeals before the US Patent Office Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, substantially changed examination policy in key areas of technology. Robert has been listed as a leader in Biotechnology Law in The Best Lawyers in America and is recognized as a "Life Sciences Star" for outstanding patent work in the 2012 inaugural edition of LMG Life Sciences.

Monica Richman, New York. Monica has spent her career protecting high-profile brands, leading trademark lawyer specializing in representing cosmetics and fashion apparel clients, including many of the world's biggest names in entertainment and financial services. She serves as inaugural Chair of the New York City Bar's Committee on Fashion Law. Monica was named an “IP Star” in last year’s Managing IP guide, and was also selected to it’s inaugural edition of IP Stars - Top 250 Women in IP. She is ranked in Chambers USA, where sources have lauded her as ”a luminary in the field of trademark and copyright law.”

Natalie Spears, Chicago. Natalie Spears is a lauded intellectual property and media trial lawyer with an extensive list of high-profile cases to her credit. She focuses her practice on IP and media defense, consumer class actions, and marketing and competition-related disputes. Named a 2013 Managing IP “IP Star” as well as to the IP Stars - Top 250 Women in IP guide, Natalie has also been recognized by such publications as Crain’s Chicago Business and the National Law Journal. She is ranked by Chambers USA as a top Illinois media and entertainment lawyer.

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