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Life Sciences Added to Intellectual Property Practice
Monday, June 08, 2009
Chicago Office Expands at Troutman Sanders
Chicago, IL -- The law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Diane J. Romza-Kutz as partner and Robert E. Browne Jr. as of counsel to its Intellectual Property practice group, bolstering the presence of this group firm-wide and particularly in Chicago. Both attorneys will add life sciences with federal regulatory and licensing expertise to the firm’s IP practice group, allowing the firm to engage in federal regulatory work.
Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, both attorneys worked for Neal Gerber Eisenberg LLP in Chicago. Romza-Kutz was a partner and chaired the firm’s Life Sciences practice group. She was also a member of the firm’s Health Law and Litigation practice groups. Browne was senior counsel at the firm and practiced in the firm’s Life Sciences, Litigation and Directors’ & Officers’ Insurance practice groups.
"I’m thrilled to welcome Diane and Robert to the firm," said Rebecca Ross, managing partner of Troutman Sanders' Chicago office. "Their extensive IP experience, particularly within the life sciences fields, will greatly enhance the firm’s intellectual property practice. They will also be a cornerstone for the continued growth of our Chicago presence."
Romza-Kutz’ practice will focus on life sciences and pharmaceutical regulatory issues, licensing arrangements and related complex litigation matters particular to the Life Sciences Industry and which often stem from regulatory issues under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and related state agencies. Additionally, her practice includes negotiating global licensing negotiations, FDA, FTC and USDA regulatory matters, and international arbitration, including preemption claims, misbranding matters, duty to warn and more generally product liability/toxic tort cases.
She has served as vice chair of the American Health Lawyers Association’s Committee on Managed Care and Integrated Delivery Systems, as well as served as a member of the Executive Healthcare Council for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. She is a well respected and sought after speaker, author, and lecturer on a variety of life science, IP and litigation topics.
Prior to entering private practice, Romza-Kutz served as supervising attorney for the Chicago Board of Education and was an assistant state’s attorney for the Criminal Prosecution Division, where she served
as a supervisor for the Child Sexual Exploitation Unit. She also has served on the State’s Attorney Task Force on Mass Molestation, the Advisory Board on Child Advocacy Centers, and on the Chicago Police
Department’s Task Force on Victimization of Disabled Persons. Additionally, she was an adjunct professor for the Department of Criminal Justice at Loyola University.
Romza-Kutz earned a B.S., with honors, in 1978 from Western Illinois University, a J.D., with honors, in 1981 from Northern Illinois University College of Law and a LL.M. in 1994 from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Browne’s practice will focus on representing clients involved in life sciences, including biotechnology, food and pharmaceutical industries, as to regulatory issues and related litigation under both federal and state agencies. He also represents a variety of clients in complex civil litigation and insurance coverage matters in trial and appellate courts across the country.
Prior to entering private practice, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Norgle Sr., U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Browne earned a B.A., in government and international studies, and history in 1993 from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. in 1997 from Marquette University Law School, where he was a founding member and the Note and Comment Editor for the initial publication of the Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review.
About Troutman Sanders:
Troutman Sanders LLP is an international law firm with over 750 lawyers and 15 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1897, the firm’s lawyers provide counsel and advice in practically every aspect of civil and commercial law related to the firm’s core practice areas: Corporate, Finance, Litigation, Public Law and Real Estate. Firm clients range from multinational corporations to individual entrepreneurs, federal and state agencies to foreign governments, and non-profit organizations to businesses representing nearly every sector and industry. See www.troutmansanders.com for more information.
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