Fish & Richardson Grows in First Half of 2025 with Addition of Seven Associates and Three European Patent Attorneys 

Fish & Richardson marked a strong start to 2025 by welcoming seven new associates and three European patent agents, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to deep technical experience and global reach. 

Mitsi Blount, Ph.D., provides patent prosecution and portfolio management services to clients in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Before entering law, she spent more than 16 years in pharmacology and physiology research and was an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Blount earned her J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, where she was a legal extern at the University of Kansas Center for Technology Commercialization. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular physiology and biophysics from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Joshua Carrigan represents clients in complex patent litigation in U.S. District Courts and before the International Trade Commission. His practice spans all phases of litigation and includes additional experience in patent portfolio management, licensing strategy, and trade secrets. He focuses on a wide range of technologies, including solar cell and panel manufacturing, three-dimensional memory manufacturing, and software. Prior to his legal career, Carrigan served as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve in the Navy Reserve. He earned his J.D. with honors from George Washington University Law School, a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University, and a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee. Carrigan, who was previously a summer associate and associate at Fish, is rejoining the firm after a brief hiatus as a managing associate at a general practice firm.  

Jae Woo Choi supports clients with patent prosecution, strategic counseling, and post-grant proceedings in the electrical, computer technology, and telecommunications sectors. He focuses on standard essential patent technologies including 4G/5G telecommunications, short-range wireless networks, and automotive technologies. He earned his LL.M. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School and his bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Seoul National University. 

Caitlin Dean helps clients resolve complex intellectual property disputes before U.S. District Courts, the International Trade Commission, and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Her litigation experience spans all stages of a case from pre-suit diligence to post-trail briefing and across a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer products. She earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Michigan Journal of Environmental and Administrative Law, and her bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Columbia University. Dean, who was previously a summer associate and associate at Fish, is rejoining the firm after a brief hiatus as an IP litigation associate at a general practice firm.  

Jory Hoffman represents clients in complex litigation across all areas of intellectual property law, with a focus on the life sciences industries. Before joining Fish, Hoffman practiced at a global law firm and co-founded an innovative training company specializing in advanced legal writing. He earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as managing blog editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Northwestern University. 

Brendan McLaughlin litigates complex intellectual property cases across a range of technical areas, including semiconductors, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, and medical devices. Prior to joining Fish, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Rodney Gilstrap of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his bachelor’s degree in biology and history from Syracuse University. 

Lucas O’Donnell advises clients in chemical engineering, materials science, and physical chemistry, with a focus on patent drafting and prosecution. Before joining Fish, he served as a primary patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office where he conducted examination of battery and fuel cell patent applications in the fields of chemical and materials engineering, polymer and organic chemistry, and mechanical engineering. O’Donnell earned his J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. He holds a master’s degree in material science and engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Ohio University.  

European Patent Attorneys 

Three European patent attorneys joined Fish. These professionals are qualified to represent clients before the European Patent Office. Their addition enhances Fish’s ability to support cross-border patent strategies and European prosecution matters.  

Erika Drees advises U.S. and Japanese clients on patent prosecution before the European Patent Office (EPO) and the German Patent and Trademark Office, focusing on complex European patent drafting and cross-border portfolio strategies. Prior to joining Fish, she served as in-house counsel for a European subsidiary of a Japanese company. Her technical focus spans mechanical and electromechanical inventions, including connected devices, automotive engineering, medical devices, and manufacturing equipment. She earned a Diplom-Ingenieur degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich. Drees is rejoining the firm after a brief hiatus as in-house counsel for the European subsidiary of a global Japanese manufacturer. 

Hubert Schwingshandl helps clients protect their innovations before German and European patent courts, specializing in patent drafting, prosecution, and representation in opposition and appeal proceedings. He advises on a wide range of technologies, with a focus on medical devices. Before beginning his legal career, Schwingshandl worked as a development engineer and project manager for a manufacturer of pressure equipment and energy-efficient sterilization chambers. He holds a Diplom-Ingenieur degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich. 

Xingan Wang, Ph.D., provides patent prosecution services to life sciences clients in jurisdictions around the globe with admissions to practice before the EPO and the Unified Patent Court. In addition, Wang holds the qualification to practice as a Chinese patent attorney before the China National Intellectual Property Administration. Wang earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Hong Kong and completed postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. He also holds a Diploma of Patent Litigation in Europe from the Université de Strasbourg and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Peking University.