Sheppard Mullin Strengthens IP Litigation Practice with High-Profile Team from Ropes & Gray
“Major lateral move in intellectual property law reshapes high-tech patent litigation landscape”
Strategic Acquisition Signals Aggressive Expansion in IP Litigation
In a significant move within the legal industry, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has announced the addition of a prominent group of 21 patent litigators from Ropes & Gray LLP, including the former chair of its intellectual property group, Steven Pepe. This strategic acquisition further cements Sheppard Mullin’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in high-tech intellectual property litigation, particularly within the telecommunications sector.
Key Talent and Geographic Reach
The incoming team spans four major international and domestic legal markets: New York, Silicon Valley, Seoul, and Washington, D.C. Alongside Steven Pepe, the group includes seasoned partners David Chun, Jim Davis, Kevin Post, and Matthew Shapiro, each bringing substantial experience and client relationships in the IP litigation space. According to Pepe, the group’s focus has traditionally been on representing high-technology clients, with particular emphasis on telecommunications. The full transition to Sheppard Mullin will include close to 30 professionals, incorporating both attorneys and supporting staff.
Client Portfolio and Industry Focus
Pepe’s clientele includes notable industry players such as Samsung, eGenera, and Collision Communications, underscoring the team’s deep entrenchment in complex, high-stakes patent litigation. This client base aligns with Sheppard Mullin’s strategic emphasis on sectors where intellectual property is a critical business asset. Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin, emphasized the firm’s forward-looking approach, stating, “Given the changing competitive landscape in the current and future global environment, we believe that protecting intellectual property assets is the core value of business in the future.”
Context in a Competitive Legal Market
While lateral hiring remains common in the legal industry, large-scale team moves of this nature are relatively rare and signal significant shifts in firm dynamics and market positioning. Sheppard Mullin’s latest acquisition follows its June onboarding of a three-partner IP team from Perkins Coie, focused on the life sciences sector. These consecutive moves suggest a deliberate and diversified expansion of the firm’s intellectual property practice across industry verticals. In a broader context, law firms are increasingly competing for specialized talent to address complex litigation demands. Notable recent moves include Crowell & Moring’s hiring of over 40 healthcare litigators from Reed Smith in August, and Reed Smith’s own acquisition of 37 lawyers from Morris, Manning & Martin, which is set to merge with Taft, Stettinius & Hollister by year-end.
Ropes & Gray Responds
In response to the departure, a spokesperson from Ropes & Gray acknowledged the contributions of the departing lawyers and reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to the continued development of its IP transactions practice. While the firm did not disclose plans to immediately replace the exiting team, the statement suggests a potential strategic refocus rather than retrenchment. The integration of this high-profile IP litigation team positions Sheppard Mullin as an increasingly formidable player in the global legal market, particularly in patent litigation and technology-focused IP disputes. As firms continue to recalibrate their practices in response to client demands and market shifts, such strategic team moves will likely become more central to long-term growth strategies.