Leading IP Litigator Brian Paul Gearing Joins Crowell & Moring in New York

New Partner’s International Experience, Tech Background Will Help Asia-Pacific Companies Successfully Navigate U.S. Courts

New York – January 29, 2018: Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Brian Paul Gearing, Ph.D., as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group in New York. With more than a decade of experience in patent portfolio management and all stages of IP litigation, Dr. Gearing represents Fortune 100 companies in pre-suit investigations through appeal in U.S. district courts, the Federal Circuit, and at the International Trade Commission (ITC). In addition, after living and working in Tokyo, he brings the unique experience of helping Asia-Pacific companies navigate the complexities of the U.S. courts. Dr. Gearing joins the firm from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

“Brian’s impressive technical background and extensive practice experience provide a terrific complement to our IP Group and will benefit clients who are navigating IP litigation issues,” said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. “He will be a valuable asset as we build upon our presence and full-service IP capabilities in New York.”

Dr. Gearing has been trial counsel on numerous high-profile litigations that have resulted in favorable judgments and settlements for his clients, which have included several multinational technology conglomerates, a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company, an international electronics and smart appliance technology company, national retailers, and other leading-edge companies. Potential developments regarding inter partes reviews, legislation affecting non-practicing entities and their ability to assert patent rights, antitrust claims arising from the enforcement of standard-essential patents, RICO claims in the context of IP litigation, as well as venue issues regarding patent cases, are all subjects that Dr. Gearing closely monitors for his clients.

Overall, Dr. Gearing has more than 12 years of experience handling IP-related disputes for international law firms in the United States and abroad, including patent, trade secret, adversarial licensing, and arbitrations. Before joining Crowell & Moring, he worked for five years as an IP partner at Kirkland & Ellis in New York. He was previously at Morrison & Foerster LLP in Tokyo and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York.

“Brian has a stellar international reputation as a seasoned IP litigator who naturally complements our robust intellectual property practice. His experience will allow us to enhance relationships in Southeast Asia – a critical area of the world for us,” said Jeffrey D. Sanok, chair of Crowell & Moring’s Intellectual Property Group.

At Crowell & Moring, Dr. Gearing will advise clients in a range of industries, including the semiconductor, networking equipment manufacturing, medical device, microprocessor technology, and wireless communications fields.

“Crowell & Moring is a premier firm known for representing global and emerging companies in complex matters, leveraging a cross-disciplinary approach, sophisticated lawyering, and a willingness to partner with clients in alternative fee arrangements,” Dr. Gearing said. “This comprehensive platform and the incredibly deep bench of lawyers in the firm’s IP Group make it a very attractive new home. I am delighted to join the team and be a part of the growing presence in New York.”

Dr. Gearing’s addition comes directly on the heels of four recent high-level hires in New York. Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, a former First Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey and federal prosecutor, joined the White Collar & Regulatory Enforcement Group in October. In July, Juan A. Arteaga, the former U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Enforcement in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, joined the Antitrust Group, and John Sarchio and Richard G. Liskov were added to the firm's Insurance/Reinsurance Group, one of the firm’s pillar practices in New York.

“Our recent expansion in New York coupled with Brian – a standout in his field – furthers our strategic focus of increasing our top-tier litigation and transactional capabilities across key areas in New York,” said Glen G. McGorty, managing partner of Crowell & Moring's New York office. “We are excited to have him join our ranks.”

Dr. Gearing earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focused on the mechanics and dynamics of materials with an emphasis on the fracture of polymers as well as mechanical testing at the micro- and nano-scales. He is an author of 15 scientific publications and a named inventor on two U.S. patents pertaining to implantable medical devices and friction and wear of novel nano-coatings. During law school at the University of California Berkeley School of Law, Dr. Gearing was a member of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal and a fellow of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology. Dr. Gearing earned his B.S., cum laude, in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. He is admitted to practice in New York.

About Crowell & Moring’s Intellectual Property Group

Crowell & Moring’s Intellectual Property Group helps clients both across the United States and in Europe realize the full value of their intellectual property and defend it against unauthorized use. The vast majority of our lawyers have extensive courtroom and trial experience and present complex ideas in straightforward terms that appeal to judges and juries. The U.S. lawyers appear regularly before district courts across the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and other courts and government agencies. The Brussels lawyers represent clients at all levels of the local civil and criminal court system, up to and including the Court of Justice of the European Union. They also act before all the relevant administrative bodies. Nearly half of the group’s lawyers have technical degrees. The group publishes the Trade Secrets Trends blog (crowelltradesecretstrends.com) and can be followed on Twitter at @CMTradeSecrets.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with approximately 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, London, and Brussels.