Reinforcing Strengths in Tech and Defense Innovation, Pillsbury Adds Leading IP Practitioner J. Rick Taché

“Our innovative clients continue to bring new and exciting ideas to market and, in doing so, require experienced counsel who can protect and defend the unique technologies they develop,” said firm Chair David Dekker. “Rick is ideally suited to address this need, having not only provided IP litigation representation and transactional counseling at the highest levels, but also serving as a trusted adviser in in-house roles for a number of well-known companies.”

Taché is a registered patent attorney focusing primarily on patent and trademark litigation before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. District Courts throughout the U.S., the International Trade Commission and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His practice spans a variety of industries, including medical devices, artificial intelligence, aerospace, mechanical, software, hardware, internet, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and business methods, among other technologies. He also advises clients on complex transactions including mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint ventures, joint development, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and outsourcing agreements.

Prior to private practice, Taché was an Assistant Chief Intellectual Property Counsel with McDonnell Douglas Company, Intellectual Property Counsel with the Boeing Corporation, General Counsel with Nomadix, Inc. and General Counsel with Northpole, Limited.

“Rick’s dual background in litigation and transactional counseling pairs nicely with his tenure in-house, affording clients a comprehensive view of the value their IP holds,” said Michael Zeliger, global head of Intellectual Property at Pillsbury. “He is also a proven leader, having held numerous leadership roles at prior career stops and successfully managing a host of large, complex cases and relationships with major companies.”

With one of the leading technology practices worldwide, the firm continues to attract distinguished practitioners across multiple disciplines and markets, who regularly advise technology and life sciences companies and their investors. Additions since January 2025, listed in order of their arrival, include:

• Emerging companies and venture capital partner Sarah Melaney in London
• Global sourcing and technology transactions partner Daphne Higgs in Silicon Valley and London
• Venture capital investment funds partner David Holland in Washington, DC
• Emerging companies and venture capital partner Steven Green in Silicon Valley
• Insolvency and restructuring partner Natasha Atkinson in London
• Former U.S. Attorney and corporations investigations and white collar defense partner Markenzy Lapointe in Miami
• Corporate finance and securities partner Samuel Ng in Hong Kong
• Global sourcing and technology transactions partner Adam Chernichaw in New York
• 14-member international trade team led by partners Daniel Porter, Matthew McCullough and James Durling in Washington, DC
• Business trials and litigation partner Amy Ruhland in Austin
• M&A, private equity investments, projects and corporate finance partner Hamid Yunis in London
• Corporate tax, digital assets and private wealth partner Mark Leeds in New York

Taché added: “Pillsbury is at the apex of technology law firms worldwide and their intellectual property practice is second-to-none. I am lucky to know many of the excellent lawyers here already, including Paul Fraidenburgh and his team, and look forward to collaborating with them again on our clients’ bet-the-company matters.”

On the cutting edge of IP for more than 120 years, Pillsbury’s intellectual property lawyers provide clients with successful and comprehensive IP strategies to protect, manage and optimize IP assets. We also assert and defend infringement claims and resolve IP-related disputes before regulatory bodies, in courts and at the negotiating table. Our team includes over 60 IP lawyers—many bilingual—plus technical consultants, patent agents and former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examiners. Many team members are scientists and engineers with advanced degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, physics and numerous other technical disciplines.