Taft’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice is recognized in the 12th edition of “IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals,” with a bronze band for litigation in Illinois. Taft also received a National ranking for Trade Secrets Litigation. View the complete list here.

Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences practice chair Stephen Auten and partner Richard Ruzich are both ranked in the silver band for Individuals: litigation. Partner Gerald Helget is recognized in Minnesota for Individuals: Prosecution. Partners Kristine Boylan and Daniel Saeedi are ranked nationally for Individuals: Trade Secret Litigation. The guide is published annually by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine.

Taft’s IP group was described as an “exemplary team filled with experienced PhDs, who are particularly strong when it comes to generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars.”

The guide conducts intensive research and interviews to identify the top patent professionals and practices. Individuals qualify for the IAM Patent 1000 once they receive sufficient positive feedback from peers and clients with knowledge of their practice and the market within which they operate. See the full IAM Patent 1000 here.

Auten is a widely recognized and seasoned attorney in Hatch-Waxman and biosimilar matters, including related patent litigation, and is followed by key industry leaders (brand and generic alike), law firms, analysts, educators, and others on his LinkedIn blog “Hatch Waxman ANDA Litigation Forum,” which has over 14,000 members worldwide. He currently represents clients in the areas of Paragraph IV design strategies, Hatch-Waxman litigation, and biosimilar opportunities.

Boylan’s expertise is in the areas of trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, patents, contracts, and licensing. With her extensive experience, she is known to be talented and effective in handling disputes over business interests and concerns involving all types of intellectual property. Boylan has also been recognized as one of the top 1000 top trademark professionals worldwide by World Trademark Review.

Helget has been a licensed patent attorney for almost 40 years and focuses his practice in the areas of patents, trademarks, trade dress, licensing, intellectual property litigation, copyrights, trade secrets, and related matters. With a wide range of experience researching, preparing, and prosecuting patent, trademark, and copyright applications, he has prosecuted to issuance more than 1,056 patents in the U.S. alone and has prosecuted over 620 trademark registrations.

Ruzich is an internationally recognized patent attorney who focuses on complex patent litigation, representing generic pharmaceutical companies in ANDA litigation under the Hatch-Waxman statutory framework. An accomplished trial and appellate advocate, registered patent attorney, and frequent lecturer and author, he is known worldwide for his legal work on behalf of his generic clients, including biosimilar sponsors. His experience covers the entire lifecycle spectrum from product selection, Paragraph IV development, and through to market entry, including at-risk launches.

Saeedi focuses his practice on issues relating to employment law, privacy, and information security. He represents clients nationwide in the realm of trade secret theft, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, and breaches of fiduciary duties. Saeedi also provides counseling to businesses on how to employ best practices and policies to better position themselves to litigate unfair competition claims.