Two Recognized Intellectual Property Attorneys Join Perkins Coie

SEATTLE (April 3, 2006) – Perkins Coie announces the addition of Stephen C. Bishop, former Associate GC at Amazon.com, and R. Michael Ananian, who joins from Dorsey & Whitney, to its nationally recognized Intellectual Property practice. Both attorneys join as partners and will reside in the firm’s Seattle and Menlo Park offices respectively.

Bishop joins Perkins Coie from Amazon.com, where he was associate general counsel in charge of intellectual property. While at Amazon.com, he led the group responsible for the creation and management of the worldwide patent, trademark and domain portfolio of the company. Bishop has deep roots in the Seattle technology community and is a frequent speaker on intellectual property issues.

"When I decided to re-enter private practice, Perkins Coie was the natural choice," Bishop said. "I used Perkins extensively while at Amazon and was always impressed with the depth of their IP practice."

Ananian, formerly a partner with Dorsey & Whitney, focuses his practice on intellectual property and patent strategic counseling, as well as patent, trademark and copyright procurement. His clients include many leading electronics and software companies in Silicon Valley.

"When you think of West Coast technology law firms, Perkins Coie has to be considered in the top tier," Ananian said. "Their technology clients are an impressive array of hardware, software, life sciences, and medical device companies. It was a natural fit for me to bring and expand my practice at Perkins Coie."

"We have a vibrant electrical and software patent practice and both Steve and Michael have degrees in electrical engineering that are great additions to the depth and experience of our practice," said Chun M. Ng, firmwide chair of the Intellectual Property practice. "We are thrilled to have them join us. We value the opportunity to provide a full range of IP legal expertise to our clients worldwide. As leaders in the field, Michael and Steve further enhance our ability to do so."

While at Amazon.com, Bishop specialized in pre-litigation dispute resolution and acquisition due diligence in all areas of intellectual property for the company. He is focusing his practice at Perkins Coie on the strategic analysis of patent portfolios, the preparation and prosecution of electrical, software and business method patent applications, the development of corporate intellectual property programs, and counseling clients on avoiding patent infringement. In addition to being admitted to practice in Washington, he is registered to practice before the USPTO.

Prior to Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Ananian worked with IP boutique Flehr Hohback Test Albritton & Herbert LLP. He has significant experience in patent procurement for the electronics and electrical engineering, semiconductor, computer, software, communications, medical and mechanical devices, e-commerce and Internet fields. He is admitted to practice in California, Washington, Colorado and Minnesota, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and the USPTO.