Goodwin Procter

Seated in major hubs throughout the US, Goodwin Procter offers a vigorous financial and corporate practice focused on the life sciences, and a dedicated team deeply experienced in handling a variety of deals and corporate matters. One of the firm's clients applauds the firm's "specific, extensive [and] relevant experience" in the financial space. Another client describes the firm as having a "strong overall practice in the life sciences arena."

California-based Sarah Solomon focuses on handling complex and strategic collaborations, licensing agreements, and other partnering transactions. A client praises Solomon for her work in a recent matter, saying she supplied "extensive experience in every issue we faced during negotiations." The clients adds she "negotiated masterfully," and "was always calm, cool, and teacher-like in her explanations."

A client considers Kingsley Taft's greatest strength to be "transaction strategy and execution." Taft recently handled numerous equity financings and IPOs for clients, ranging from clinical stage companies to one of the largest private biotechs. A client highlights Taft's background in sciences, citing, "His training as a PhD chemist is a plus as it contributes to his legal analyses." Taft co-chairs the firm's life sciences practice along with Mitchell Bloom, who a client commends for his "great service" in handling a financial and corporate matter. A competitor in the field considers Bloom to be "the best generalist biotech lawyer on the East Coast or in the country" and has "incredible breath of knowledge."

Goodwin Procter is a full-service, general practice firm with a national reputation in nearly all areas of the patent spectrum, most notably for its booming ANDA litigation practice representing generic drug makers. Recently, the firm has also been engaged in litigation under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, noted by one peer who says Goodwin is a "thought leader in the biosimilar space."

The firm is a "powerhouse" in ANDA litigation, one competitor says, a reputation owed in part to leading patent litigator Elizabeth Holland, who boasts nearly three decades of experience in the patent space. She continues to be active for generic clients, evidenced by a peer who says: "It seems like half of my cases these days are up against Elizabeth Holland." She recently represented Lupin and Actavis in separate pharmaceutical patent disputes. Daryl Wiesen is described as a "very practical, but creative thinker" by a client, adding he has "great oral and written advocacy skills." He was involved in the newsworthy patent suit GlaxoSmithKline v Teva, which resulted in a $235 million verdict against Teva being erased. The case was one of the Patent Impact Cases of the Year at the 2018 LMG Life Sciences Awards. Duncan Greenhalgh is a notable patent strategist heavily involved in both IP and transaction-related matters for pharmaceutical clients. He is versed in prosecution, portfolio development and due diligences.

New to the firm's list of LMG Life Sciences stars is Elaine Blais, an attorney who is repeatedly praised for her effectiveness as a patent litigator, supported by market feedback labeling her a "great litigation strategist" with "very good trial instincts." She recently acted for Celltrion in an IPR which resulted in the cancellation of claims related to a Genentech patent covering biologic drug Herceptin. Patent attorney Theresa Kavanaugh also makes her debut as a star. She is noted by a client for her "outstanding technical advice."

General practice firm Goodwin Procter is well-equipped to represent life sciences clients in all practice areas, but is most notable for being a powerhouse in IP and transactions. The firm receives top ranking in patent litigation, patent strategy, licensing, M&A, venture capital and general corporate work. Goodwin Procter was recognized by LMG Life Sciences as the 2018 Life Cycle Firm of the Year for its outstanding work in each of these disciplines.

The firm is known as one of the premier Hatch-Waxman practices representing generic clients, supported by a deep bench of experienced patent litigators. "Goodwin Procter consistently has top talent, from the first-chair trial partners to junior associates," says a competitor. Elizabeth Holland is one of the leading names in this area, who is deemed "stellar" by a peer. Daryl Wiesen is a "very practical, but creative thinker," says a client, and further bolsters the firm's Hatch-Waxman capabilities. He was involved in GlaxoSmithKline v Teva, which resulted in the reversal of a $235 million verdict against client Teva. Douglas Kline serves as the firm's IP litigation chair from the Boston office.

Frederick Rein is one of the founders of the New York IP litigation practice. Elaine Blais was recently successful for Celltrion in an IPR, which cancelled Genentech's patent claims related to its product Herceptin. In patent strategy, Duncan Greenhalgh is renowned for his ability to navigate clients' IP portfolios. He is labelled "excellent" by a peer. Marta Delsignore focuses her practice on portfolio management, opinions and other patent-related client counseling. Patent attorney Theresa Kavanaugh is noted by a client for her "outstanding technical advice."

In the financial and corporate space, Kingsley Taft and Mitchell Bloom are two of the firm's leaders and co-chairs of the national life sciences group. Bloom recently represented biotech client Ablynx NV in its $200 million IPO, and again months later in its acquisition by Sanofi. Sarah Solomonrepresented Wave Life Sciences in a global strategic collaboration with Takeda to discover, develop and commercialize nucleic acid therapies for CNS disorders. Stuart Cable serves as chair of the M&A and corporate finance practices in the firm's life sciences group. He recently acted for life sciences consulting company Parexel in its acquisition by Pamplona Capital Management, valued at $5 billion.

Scott Lassman is a regulatory attorney equipped to handle FDA matters at all stages of a product's development. He currently advises client Teva on issues related to product approval, exclusivity and administrative litigation. Julie Tibbets oversees marketing and labeling of both generic drugs and specialty brands in West-Ward Pharmaceutical's product portfolio. In addition to pharmaceuticals, her technology expertise extends to biologics, medical devices, diagnostics, food, and other areas.

Notable individuals in the litigation and enforcement area are Joanne Gray and William Harrington, both in the firm's New York branch. Gray serves as chair of the firm's products liability and mass torts practice group. Harrington, whose practice focuses on government investigations and white-collar matters, has expertise in health care fraud, the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act and the Stark Act.