NewsIrell Adds Blair Silver to DC Office
Irell & Manella LLP announced today that Blair Silver has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as counsel. Silver’s practice focuses on complex IP disputes, with an emphasis on appeals.
“We’re delighted to welcome Blair to the firm,” said Jonathan Kagan, a member of Irell’s Executive Committee. “He continues our culture of excellence and expands our already unparalleled IP and appellate practices.”
A former clerk, Silver further bolsters Irell’s deep bench of expertise at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The group also includes multiple other former clerks from the Federal Circuit, as well as other appellate courts.
Silver has extensive experience with proceedings before district and appellate courts, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the International Trade Commission. He has represented clients in a wide variety of high-stakes appellate matters before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit. Silver also provides strategic appellate advice and counseling to companies preparing for trials and appeals in patent cases with billions at stake. At the trial court level, he has briefed, argued and won dispositive motions and litigated cases from filing through trial on behalf of companies ranging from technology startups to industry leaders. He has also handled more than 100 inter partes review and other PTAB proceedings.
Silver served as a law clerk for Judge Alan D. Lourie of the Federal Circuit. With a background in electrical engineering, he has significant experience with a wide range of technologies and industries, including electronics and computers, financial technology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and consumer products. In addition to patents, his practice also includes copyright and trademark litigation. He was recently also an adjunct professor for Patent Trial Practice at Georgetown University Law Center.
Silver earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S., magna cum laude, in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University.
“I have had the opportunity to co-counsel with Irell lawyers and see them in action, and I couldn’t be happier to join the team,” said Silver. “I look forward to bringing to bear my experience to help the firm’s clients in their most important IP disputes.”
Opened in September 2021, Irell’s D.C. office is focused on IP, particularly in the areas of appeals, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office proceedings and policy work, as well as complex commercial litigation.