Sughrue Mion's Alan Kasper Named President of American Intellectual Property Law Association

October 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sughrue Mion PLLC, a leading international intellectual property firm, announced today that senior partner Alan Kasper has been named President of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). Mr. Kasper assumed the office of president for this leading law association of patent, trademark and copyright lawyers at the close of the annual AIPLA conference in Washington, D.C. on October 15-17, 2009.

"Alan is recognized internationally as an expert in the field of intellectual property law," said Cindy Weber, Managing Partner of Sughrue. "His vast experience and strong international ties make him an ideal choice to further the mission of AIPLA and to help guide the formation of American intellectual property law and practice. AIPLA's choice of Alan underscores the bar's recognition of Alan's dedication to the intellectual property law community, attributes his partners at Sughrue have long recognized."

Mr. Kasper has been with Sughrue Mion for twenty years. He has served as the resident partner at Sughrue's Tokyo office and currently heads the firm's International Department in Washington D.C. His practice includes advising clients, both international and domestic, on patent law issues at all levels with an emphasis on providing opinions on patentability, validity and infringement, and working integrally with clients on managing and increasing the value of their intellectual property assets. Prior to joining Sughrue Mion, Mr. Kasper was the Chief Patent Counsel for Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) and also served as a Patent Examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"International patent law is undergoing intense scrutiny and many changes are under consideration for the patent laws of the United States. It will be an exciting time to be leading AIPLA in its mission of advocating the adoption of appropriate laws in the United States that will provide holders of United States patents strong protection and laws that facilitate the realities of the international market place," said Mr. Kasper. "As a member of the AIPLA Board of Directors and past Chair of the International and Foreign Law Committee, Japan Practice Committee, and PCT Issues Committee, I am well aware of the strong influence the organization has on the range of issues it faces in the coming year. I intend to use the position of AIPLA President to favorably influence the outcome of those issues and advance the cause of the organization."

Mr. Kasper received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and a B.S. in electrical engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo. His bar memberships include the District of Columbia; the U.S. Court of Appeals - District of Columbia, Federal Circuits; U.S. District Court - District of Columbia; and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a retired member of the Dai-Ni Bar Association in Tokyo.

About Sughrue Mion, PLLC

Founded in 1957, Sughrue Mion, PLLC, is one of the largest international law firms practicing exclusively in the field of intellectual property law. Based in Washington, D.C. with offices in Silicon Valley, San Diego and Tokyo, Sughrue specializes in litigating intellectual property matters in U.S. federal district court and before the International Trade Commission. Sughrue has obtained more patents for its clients than any other firm in the U.S. and is consistently one of the leading trademark registration firms. For more information please visit www.sughrue.com.

About the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Founded in 1897, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) is a national bar association constituted primarily of lawyers in private and corporate practice, in government service, and in the academic community. AIPLA represents a wide and diverse spectrum of individuals, companies and institutions involved directly or indirectly in the practice of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and unfair competition law, as well as other fields of law affecting intellectual property. Members represent both owners and users of intellectual property. For more information, visit www.aipla.org.

SOURCE Sughrue Mion, PLLC