Pillsbury Enhances Tech Sector Offering with Addition of Renowned IP Litigator Mark Abate in New York

“The rapid and widespread adoption of exciting new technologies in the consumer products, telecommunications and software industries have driven a substantial uptick in the number of intellectual property litigations,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “Mark, with his expansive IP expertise and stellar reputation nationwide, is perfectly suited to help those we represent take a comprehensive view of their IP and address related legal needs. As these complex IP disputes only become more acute for our clients, we are thrilled to welcome him aboard.”

His practice is focused on trials and appeals of patent infringement cases, and particularly those involving electronics, computers, software, consumer products, material science, financial systems and electrical, mechanical and medical devices. A former law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, he has successfully tried cases in the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission and has argued before the Federal Circuit.

Abate has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading IP lawyers. He is ranked in Chambers USA—to whom interviewees have said “a client can never go wrong hiring Mark”—and has twice been recognized by Best Lawyers as the New York patent litigation “Lawyer of the Year.” He is a former president of the New York Intellectual Property Law Association and the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association and is a board member of the Federal Circuit Historical Society.

“Mark’s deep relationships with market-leading technology companies and his proven ability to lead major patent litigation efforts make him an important and highly strategic addition to our team,” said Michael Zeliger, Pillsbury’s Global Head of Intellectual Property. “This hire enables us to expand our Tech Industry expertise, grow our footprint in New York, and adds meaningfully to the firm’s global IP platform.”

Abate is just the most recent lateral partner to join Pillsbury. In conjunction with high-profile Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partners Glenn Luinenburg and Todd Rumberger, who also joined today, the firm has welcomed a total of 40 lateral partners since January 2024. The pace of growth has been particularly rapid in the Tech sector, with the firm welcoming venture capital fund formation partner Eunice Choi (San Francisco); intercontinental tech transactions practitioner Daphne Higgs (Silicon Valley); early-stage life sciences, biotechnology and digital health-focused Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Steven Green (Silicon Valley); satellite, space and telecommunications partner Jodi Goldberg (Washington, DC), Global Sourcing & Technology Transactions partner Adam Chernichaw (New York); Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practitioner Sarah Melaney (London); intellectual property litigator Rick Taché (San Diego); venture capital investment funds partner David Holland (Washington, DC); and seasoned trial lawyer Amy Ruhland (Austin).

“I have admired Pillsbury’s IP practice for many years and am thrilled to join the firm’s IP team, one of most skilled and highly regarded in the nation,” Abate said. “I am looking forward to contributing to the practice’s impressive record of success across venues where high-stakes IP litigation occurs.”

Pillsbury’s renowned IP team provides comprehensive intellectual property advice and protection to clients worldwide. The firm’s IP litigators have an impressive record of success in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies such as the PTAB, TTAB, the ITC, WIPO and international alternative dispute resolution forums.