Fish & Richardson Welcomes 2024 Fall Associate Class

Today, Fish & Richardson welcomes the firm’s 2024 fall associate class. These 14 individuals bring diverse technical backgrounds and outstanding academic achievements, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to excellence in client service. These recent law school graduates will contribute their skills to the IP litigation, patent prosecution, and trademark and copyright practices.

Members of this year’s cohort were previously summer associates with Fish, and all have been immersed in Fish’s collegial culture and client-centric approach to practicing law. The cohort includes four individuals with advanced degrees and one patent agent.

“This class holds degrees in a range of STEM disciplines, including physics, chemistry, engineering, and computer science, among others,” said Corrin Drakulich, global head of litigation. “Equally important, they bring fresh perspectives and eagerness to their work and client teams. I look forward to supporting their growth and watching them thrive in their careers at Fish.”

“We are excited to welcome this outstanding group of associates to our firm,” said John Hayden, leader of the firm’s IP Group. “Their solid foundations in STEM fields, coupled with their legal training, equip them exceptionally well to address the complex challenges our clients encounter.”

Austin

Aiden Berdahl earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as executive research editor of the Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics and political science from Luther College. During law school, Berdahl completed internships at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance. His patent litigation work will focus on representing clients in matters relating to mechanical engineering and physics. His technical experience includes working as a research assistant with the Luther College physics department, where he studied elementary particle physics as part of the Belle II collaboration.

Boston

Jaylon Carr graduated from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Norfolk State University, where he researched and synthesized quantum dots for solar cell application and solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Carr will focus his work on patent litigation for life sciences and pharmaceutical matters.

Grier Conville will concentrate on patent litigation matters ranging from software to medical devices. She holds a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. She graduated from Northeastern University School of Law, where she served as an associate and senior editor of the Northeastern University Law Review. During law school, Conville also interned with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

John Thurston is a graduate of Boston College Law School, where he served as an articles editor of the Boston College Law Review. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University and previously worked as a quality and project engineer supporting a Federal Aviation Administration radar program. Thurston will focus his work on patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation across a wide range of industries, including chemicals, life sciences, software, and defense.

Dallas

Brandon Avers received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of Law and Contemporary Problems and staff editor of Duke Law & Technology Review. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in mechanical engineering. Avers will leverage his technical background to support clients involved in patent litigation matters in the mechanical engineering sector.

Delaware

Kevin Seltzer will represent clients in litigation matters pertaining to mechanical engineering, physics, and related technologies. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he served as an associate editor for the Journal of Law and Innovation. He holds a master's degree in physics from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from Loyola University Maryland. In addition to his strong background in mathematics and physics, Seltzer is proficient in computer programming.

Houston

Shelby Farrand will support clients in patent litigation matters related to chemical engineering and physical chemistry. She graduated from the University of Houston Law Center and interned for the Hon. Lynn N. Hughes of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Prior to law school, she worked in supply chain, utilities, and manufacturing operations for a major brewing company. Farrand holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Mariam Khan earned her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of The Elder Law Journal. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Houston, where she conducted data-driven development for LED lighting and helped synthesize over 100 inorganic phosphors. Khan’s litigation work will focus on life sciences and pharmaceuticals.

Minneapolis

Nina Elder will focus on patent litigation for life sciences and pharmaceutical industry clients. She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she was the lead articles editor of the Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology. She also holds a Master of Science in biomedical science and biotechnology from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of St. Thomas. During law school, Nina served as a judicial extern to the Hon. John R. Tunheim of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Erin M. Higgins, Ph.D., graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School where she was the associate editor of the Journal of Law and Innovation. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical science from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. Higgins completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic, supporting business development, licensing, and patent teams. Her work will focus on patent prosecution services for pharmaceutical and life sciences clients.

San Diego

Nathan Siegel graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where he served as the editor of the UCLA Law Review and co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and Technology. In addition, he provided pro bono legal support to clients of UCLA Law School’s Veterans Justice Clinic. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UCLA and has professional experience as an application verification and validation engineer. Siegel will partner with clients in the electrical and computer technology industry to protect and enforce their intellectual property.

Silicon Valley

Sarah Lunt graduated with an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where she served as an editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Review. She completed her foundational legal studies at the University of Stellenbosch, where she earned an LL.B. and a bachelor's degree in commerce. Lunt will focus her work on trademark and copyright law.

Cassie Yin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where she served as an associate editor for the Berkeley Law and Technology Journal. She holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. Yin will support clients with patent prosecution services across a wide array of technologies, with a particular emphasis on computer science and electrical engineering technologies.

Washington, D.C.

Joseph Sinopoli will represent clients in patent litigation involving a range of technologies. He graduated from The George Washington University Law School, where he was an editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Vassar College, where he also assisted in manufacturing and testing high-power, custom-built solar panels using a novel process.

These individuals will be law clerks until they are sworn into their respective bars.