Marcus Simon—an intellectual property attorney with more than two decades of experience in patent prosecution and counseling across industries—has joined Ballard Spahr's Intellectual Property Department and Patents Group as a partner, firm Chair Peter Michaud announced today.
Marcus joins along with his team of patent law professionals and is based in Ballard Spahr's office in Salt Lake City—a major center within the region of Utah known as the "Silicon Slopes" because of its vibrant innovation ecosystem.
"Marcus and his group bring the exceptional level of skill, experience, and client service for which our Intellectual Property Department is known nationally," said Lynn E. Rzonca, chair of Ballard Spahr's Intellectual Property Department. "They are a terrific addition to our national platform, especially in a region as important as the Silicon Slopes."
Joining with Marcus from Dorsey & Whitney—where he was a partner—are Jonathan P. Rowe and Joshua W. Hoggard, senior attorneys who work with Marcus on strategic patent counseling, patent prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and related services. The team also includes two paralegals with extensive patent experience.
"Utah is a national hotbed for groundbreaking commercial innovation, and the addition of Marcus and his team makes us even better-positioned to help businesses and organizations there to thrive—nationally and globally," said Charley F. Brown, leader of Ballard Spahr's Patents Group. "The fit within our platform is ideal, and we're excited about our continued growth in strength and reach."
"The addition of Marcus and this talented group deepens the capabilities in our Salt Lake City office and makes us even stronger there and nationally," Office Managing Partner Robert C. Kim said.
Marcus' patent experience includes work on innovations ranging from medical, health care, and life sciences technology and devices to chemical compositions and processes, food science and technology, lasers and other photonic devices, and osmosis systems. He advises clients on patent and trademark portfolio development and management, as well as IP litigation, licensing, and due diligence.
Marcus and his team work across an array of industries, including medical, health care, life sciences, higher education, energy, mining, and aerospace. A significant part of the practice involves representing clients from outside of the United States before the USPTO.
Marcus works with his team to advise businesses and organizations on new product development and introduction, including patent infringement and patent validity issues. They prepare related opinions and provide cost-effective strategies for successfully handling infringement and enforcement issues.
Before practicing law, Marcus earned a master's degree in materials science and engineering and worked as a materials engineer and fracture mechanics specialist in the aerospace industry.
"My team and I are delighted to be part of Ballard's highly respected IP and patents practices," Marcus said. "We've hit the ground running and see tremendous opportunity to be a key hub in the firm's platform of outstanding practices nationally, not only in IP, but firm-wide."
The recent expansion in Salt Lake City extends Ballard Spahr's growth in 2025, which started January 1 with the Lane Powell combination in the Pacific Northwest. The alliance added more than 150 new lawyers and three new offices to the firm.
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