Legal News

Stevens & Lee Adds China Corporate Practice, Panitch Schwarze Adds Dept. Head

By Brian Harris

By Gina Passarella
Of the Legal Staff

This week has brought news of lateral moves in the intellectual property and corporate worlds.
On Wednesday, Stevens & Lee said it picked up securities lawyer William W. Uchimoto and his China practice from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

Uchimoto joins the firm along with of counsel James M. Connolly and a group of bilingual professionals fluent in Chinese and experienced in working with Chinese-based companies looking to do business in the United States. The team is joining Stevens & Lee?s corporate finance and capital markets practice.

After years with Saul Ewing, Uchimoto had joined Buchanan Ingersoll in February 2008 and created that firm?s first China-focused practice.

Uchimoto had been the co-chairman of Saul Ewing?s securities litigation team and previously served as general counsel to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Connolly had followed him to Buchanan Ingersoll.

?The addition of the China practice group is also an exciting development for our firm,? Stevens & Lee President Ernie Choquette said in a statement. ?Because of our multidisciplinary practice and our vertically integrated affiliates, including a FINRA-licensed [Financial Industry Regulatory Authority] investment bank, we believe this experienced team of bilingual professionals will be very well-positioned to assist Chinese companies in raising money and in conducting business in the U.S.?

In a separate lateral partner announcement, intellectual property boutique Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel said it added Pepper Hamilton partner Michael J. Leonard as head of its trademark and copyright department.

?Though I have had a wonderful experience with Pepper Hamilton, joining Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel presents a unique opportunity to build an international trademark practice in a boutique setting,? Leonard said in a statement. ?The firm?s boutique setting, combined with its cadre of experienced trademark attorneys, provides the ideal environment to respond to clients? needs with highly individualized attention and creative solutions.?

Leonard has represented clients in publishing, computer software and technology, entertainment and sports, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, telecommunications and the food and beverage industries.

Full post as published by The Legal Intelligencer Blog on March 12, 2010 (boomark / email).