Fish & Richardson, a law firm known for its high-profile work with tech giants like Apple Inc., has announced the creation of a new executive role specifically designed to address legal conflicts and ethical issues within the firm. Elham Dehbozorgi, a seasoned Washington lawyer, has been appointed as the firm’s first Chief Legal Risk Officer. She will report directly to the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Kristine McKinney. The role underscores the Boston-founded firm’s focus on the unique challenges posed by intellectual property (IP) cases, which often involve complex conflicts not seen in other legal areas. According to Dehbozorgi, “In most other areas of law, you don’t want to be adverse to a client. In IP, you’re not only navigating conflicts with clients, but also in subject matter.”
Fish & Richardson has a robust IP practice, having represented companies such as Microsoft Corp., Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, and other tech heavyweights, in addition to Apple. Last year, the firm reported nearly $500 million in gross revenue, placing it among the top 100 largest law firms in the United States. The firm has recently represented Apple in numerous cases, including disputes over smart-watch technology and 5G patent licenses. It is also representing General Motors Co. and Tesla Inc. in a suit concerning a wireless patent in Michigan.
Dehbozorgi brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox, a Washington-based IP law firm, where she served as general counsel. She is also a member of the DC Bar’s legal ethics committee, further highlighting her expertise in navigating legal ethics and conflicts.
For more information, read the original article on Bloomberg Law.