FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC—Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, announced changes in its executive management team. Effective this month, Mark D. Sweet will succeed James B. Monroe as the firm's new managing partner. Mr. Monroe will assume the role of firm chair, which was most recently held by Barbara Clarke McCurdy. The firm is also pleased to announce that Michael B. Sikora has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. The leadership change reflects Finnegan’s practice to rotate firm leadership positions every few years to ensure continuity and that those in such positions can balance management duties and client responsibilities most effectively.
During Mr. Sweet's nearly 20 years with Finnegan, he has served on the firm's management committee, acted as a recruiting partner, and most recently led the firm's chemical practice. He focuses his practice on portfolio analysis; due diligence investigations; interference proceedings; reissue and reexamination proceedings; preparing patentability, validity, and infringement opinions; and client counseling. He also has significant experience in inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Mr. Sweet will continue his practice while serving as managing partner, a role in which he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm.
As chair, Mr. Monroe will lead the overall strategic direction of the firm, taking a focused approach to build upon Finnegan's growth and success. Monroe noted, "It has been extremely rewarding to serve as managing partner for the last three years, and I am very honored to move into the role of chair. The competitive edge that Finnegan lawyers bring to its client base is unparalleled among other firms. The technical specialties and expertise of our attorneys, coupled with more than 200 professionals registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and more than 40 former USPTO examiners, is a unique asset of the firm. This will be a key factor towards expanding the success of the firm and our clients."
Mr. Sikora succeeds retiring COO Steven S. Moore. He will provide strategic guidance and manage the firm’s day-to-day business operations. He is a certified public accountant with over 30 years of experience both in and outside the legal industry and has served in finance and operations roles in several AmLaw 100 law firms. "We are excited to welcome Mike to the firm as COO," said Sweet. "Mike’s significant experience in law firm management will help Finnegan continue to be a leader in all areas related to intellectual property."
Finnegan is ranked as a top-tier intellectual property firm by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Managing Intellectual Property, Intellectual Asset Management, World Trademark Review, and U.S. News. Earlier this year, Finnegan was recognized by Managing Intellectual Property as the "Global IP Firm of the Year," and in 2015 was named "U.S. IP Firm of the Decade." Sweet stated, "I am fortunate to have a solid basis on which to position the firm to flourish in the future. James and Barbara did a remarkable job leading the firm while maintaining its premier position as an IP law firm, and we sincerely appreciate their service."
Contacts
Mark D. Sweet, Managing Partner
mark.sweet@finnegan.com
James B. Monroe, Chair
james.monroe@finnegan.com
About Finnegan
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP is one of the largest IP law firms in the world. From offices in Atlanta, Boston, London, Palo Alto, Reston, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Washington, DC, the firm practices all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. Finnegan also represents clients on IP issues related to European patents and trade marks, international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust, and unfair competition. For additional information on the firm, please visit www.finnegan.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
