Intellectual Property Partner Hean Koo Returns to Pillsbury, Boosting High-Tech IP Offering

“Hean is a strategic thinker and talented lawyer with extensive experience in high-value patent prosecution,” said Jack Barufka, leader of Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property practice. “Protecting IP is always a top priority for our large base of technology clients and Hean has the knowledge and skillset to help them do that. We are excited to welcome him back, as his arrival will be invaluable to our increasing client base.”

Hean’s practice focuses on patent prosecution and client counseling in a variety of fields including computer software, blockchain, AI, machine learning, retail point of sale (POS) systems, financial services, software relating to retail touch points, wireless communication systems, medical devices and haptic-enabled devices, among others.

In addition to preparing and prosecuting patent applications, Hean has experience with a wide range of patent related matters including PTAB proceedings, ex parte reexamination requests, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, IP audits and strategies, as well as litigation support. He also has extensive experience counseling clients on a variety of open source matters, including source code audits and open source policies.

“With a vast portfolio of leading technology clients and a strong national Intellectual Property practice that can literally address any IP issue, Pillsbury provides the perfect platform for me to expand my practice and help clients safeguard their innovations,” said Hean. “I am excited to rejoin Pillsbury and to again work alongside some of the best IP attorneys in the industry.”

Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property team consists of more than 100 IP practitioners, including U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examiners and scientists and engineers with advanced degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, physics and many other technical disciplines. The firm’s lawyers provide clients with successful and comprehensive IP strategies to protect, manage and optimize IP assets, and also assert and defend infringement claims and resolve IP-related disputes in courts and at the negotiating table.

Pillsbury’s global Technology industry team brings together leading practitioners across all sectors, geographies and disciplines to help clients emerge, adapt and advance in an ever-changing market. With more than 300 industry-focused lawyers across the United States, Asia and Europe, our expansive industry knowledge and experience covers virtually every aspect of the technology sector. In recent years, the team has filed approximately 30,000 patents for more than 1,000 clients globally, completed more than $400 billion in tech-centric M&A transactions, over $20 billion in venture financings, nearly 100 IPOs, and has led in excess of 1,000 strategic outsourcing and technology transactions worth more than half a trillion dollars in contract value.