Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP‘s team is noted for its expertise in patent licensing and transactions and covers the full spectrum of technologies, industry sectors and IP practice areas. The team is also equipped to handle contentious matters, with extensive experience in litigation and prosecution in connection with patent procurement. ’Outstanding’ trademark portfolio management specialist Salima Merani and patent procurement expert Sabing Lee jointly lead the medical device group, while Jason Gersting is the chair of the IP and tech transaction group. In San Diego, Kimberly Miller delivers the full range of advice for all IP-related matters. Adam Gilbert retired and Lori Yamato departed the firm in January 2023. Unless otherwise stated, all team members are based in Orange County.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Salima Merani and Jason Gersting are responsive and possess excellent knowledge.'
'Salima Merani is outstanding, and she is simply wonderful and the best! She is extremely client-focused, tireless and is very talented in what she does. Salima is a strategic thinker who understands our business and risks. She is smar and business-minded, anticipates our needs, and is always solution-focused. She approaches issues from a pragmatic perspective, and provide us with both business and legal advice.'
'The team has decades of experience with licensing from academic institutions. The depth of their knowledge and the big picture strategy they think of is quite remarkable.'
'Salima Merani is an outstanding attorney. She uses good judgment in licensing negotiations, is forceful in advocating for her clients, and finds ways around obstacles so that the agreement is a win-win.'
'Expertise in technology and licensing requirements.'
'Knowledge and performance is exceptional, also in high number deals and under time pressure.'

Key clients

Relievant Medsystems
Augmedics, Inc.
Paragonix Technologies, Inc.
Novonate, Inc.
AcuFocus, Inc.
LimFlow SA
AVITA Medical, Inc.
Masimo Corporation
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Evident Vascular
Cala Health, Inc.

Work highlights

Advised Relievant Medsystems on its acquisition by Boston Scientific for $850m plus additional milestone payments.
Advised Paragonix Technologies, Inc. on securing $24m in Series B funding, led by Signet Healthcare Partners.
Assisted LimFlow SA with entering into a deal to be acquired by Inari Medical for $415m and advised on IP acquisition due diligence.