Steptoe's Chicago Office Expands, Adds Trio of Patent Litigators

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steptoe & Johnson LLP is again expanding its national intellectual property litigation practice and its growing Chicago office with the addition of three patent litigators.  Joining as partners are James "Jay" Nuttall, John Abramic, and Glen Belvis.

"These three lawyers bring significant experience in patent litigation," said Steptoe Chair Roger E. Warin.  "Their records of success as trial lawyers, as well as their representation of clients in a variety of technologies and industries, will expand and enhance the existing patent litigation capabilities in our Chicago office as well as our national IP practice."

Mr. Nuttall has successfully represented clients as lead and co-counsel in numerous major patent infringement trials, including successfully trying a complex 11-patent case, obtaining one of the 15 largest patent damages awards in history at that time, obtaining one of the largest attorneys' fees awards in a patent case, and successfully defending a patent infringement claim of more than $100 million.  In 2007, at the age of 34, he was named one of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch" by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, which quoted a client who remarked that Mr. Nuttall "consistently and successfully litigates against well-known high-profile attorneys who have been practicing many more years than has he, and yet he remains unflappable even under stress."

Mr. Abramic has served as lead counsel and co-lead counsel in several patent infringement lawsuits, and has represented clients at numerous trials in federal district courts and at the Federal Circuit.  Though he has substantial experience with medical device and pharmaceutical litigation, including Hatch-Waxman litigation, his litigation work has also involved a wide range of other technologies.  Mr. Abramic was also named one of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch" in 2012 based on the recommendation of clients and peers who commended "his deep knowledge of the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, his confidence and reliability during trial, and his skill as a litigator, as well as his leadership qualities and innovative thinking."

Mr. Belvis comes to the firm from Foro Energy, Inc., a company developing high-power laser transmission and delivery technologies for applications in the exploration and production of natural resources including hydrocarbons and geothermal energy, where he served as chief IP counsel.  His IP strategies at Foro Energy were the subject of recent Harvard Business School case study.  Prior to that position, Mr. Belvis spent more than 20 years in private practice where he served as lead counsel in ANDA litigations, other patent and trade secret bench and jury trials, and proceedings before the International Trade Commission.  He has particular experience in the energy sector and with biomedical devices.  He has testified as an expert witness and lectured at Oxford and Peking Universities.  Mr. Belvis has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers, and is the author of the book "Intellectual Property in Business Transactions:  Protecting the Competitive Advantage."

Steptoe's intellectual property practice and patent litigation capabilities in Chicago have seen substantial growth in the past few years, starting with the addition of Tom Pasternak and Tom Holt in 2010.  The following year, Taras Gracey, Mimi Addy, Tom Filarski, and Mark Remus joined the firm.

"We're excited to welcome Jay, John, and Glen, and look forward to working with them," said Ms. Addy, managing partner of the Chicago office.  "Their additions are another example of Steptoe's commitment to growing the Chicago office and its IP practice nationally."

Mr. Nuttall received a B.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Illinois, and a J.D. from Loyola University.  He is an active participant Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar's pro bono program.

Mr. Abramic earned a B.S. in chemical engineering, with honors, from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  He received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law where he graduated second in his class with high honors, was elected Order of the Coif, and was a member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review.

Mr. Belvis received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame, and earned a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law where he graduated first in his class and served as an editor of the Law Review.

About Steptoe

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions.  The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and Washington.  For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

SOURCE Steptoe & Johnson LLP