Hogan Lovells Expands Life Sciences Patent Litigation Team in Washington D.C. and Silicon Valley

Hogan Lovells Expands Life Sciences Patent Litigation Team in Washington D.C. and Silicon Valley

The global law firm Hogan Lovells has announced the addition of life sciences patent litigators Howard Levine and Jennifer Swan as partners in the Global Regulatory & Intellectual Property, Media, and Technology (IPMT) practice group, within the Life Sciences & Health Care sector. Levine will be based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, while Swan will join Hogan Lovells' Silicon Valley office. Both are transitioning from their previous roles at Dechert.

“Howard and Jennifer are both highly regarded life sciences patent litigators who bring exceptional experience in an industry that is a significant focus for the firm. We’re thrilled to have them,” Celine Jimenez Crowson, who leads the firm’s IPMT practice in the Americas, said.

Levine brings over three decades of experience advising on intricate and high-value biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent litigation cases. He has consistently played a pioneering role in shaping legal developments in this domain, including setting precedents related to the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112.

Levine has served as lead counsel in district court litigations across the nation, as well as in appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Moreover, his extensive background includes successful representation of multiple brand pharmaceutical companies in Hatch-Waxman litigation.

Swan is a prominent figure in both the enforcement and protection of patent rights within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Her substantial expertise includes representing companies in patent litigation, with a particular focus on chemical and biotechnology matters. Additionally, Swan has a proven track record of providing strategic counselling to life science startups. Her involvement extends to numerous appellate proceedings at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, supported by her prior role as a Federal Circuit clerk. Notably, Swan has played a pivotal role in shaping recent developments in patent law, including the concept of joint infringement. She is also a recognised international lecturer on patent law.

Levine and Swan have recently secured significant victories in the Hatch-Waxman litigation, achieving notable successes in both district court proceedings and before the Federal Circuit.

Lynn Mehler, Global Co-Lead for the firm’s Life Sciences & Health Care industry sector group, remarked: “Howard and Jennifer’s arrival adds in-demand IP strength at a time when many of our life sciences clients are involved in complex Hatch-Waxman litigation and matters involving the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112, among other matters. With their stellar reputations as patent litigators, we are excited to welcome them to our team.”

“Over the past 30 years, Howard has built a strong reputation for successfully representing innovator clients in high-stakes litigation in the nation’s highest courts, a priority for our life sciences clients,” Ajay Kuntamukkala, Office Managing Partner for the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, added.

“Jennifer joins us at an exciting time in Silicon Valley, following continued growth in Northern California, with the recent arrivals of strong commercial and consumer class action litigators Trent Norris, Megan Nishikawa, and Amber Trincado. Together, this group significantly strengthens our litigation capabilities in the Northern California market,” Jane Ross, Office Managing Partner in Silicon Valley, stated.

Levine said: "I’m excited to be joining Hogan Lovells, a global leader in life sciences and pharmaceutical work. The firm has an unparalleled regulatory practice in this sector, which brings crucial support to clients in this space as they develop and bring their products to market.” Swan added: "As one of only a few firms to have a truly integrated global platform, Hogan Lovells is a great place to continue to grow a practice, at a time when clients are increasingly faced with cross-border and multijurisdictional challenges in the life sciences sector.”

Levine holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Duke University. On the other hand, Swan earned both her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. She gained valuable clerkship experience by serving under the Chief Judge (ret.) Randall R. Rader at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as clerking for Jeremy D. Fogel and Ronald M. Whyte, both within the Northern District of California.