Los Angeles-based patent litigation boutique Lowenstein & Weatherwax LLP announced today that Gregory R. Smith, partner emeritus at Irell & Manella LLP, has joined Lowenstein & Weatherwax as Of Counsel.

Mr. Smith practiced at Irell & Manella LLP for five decades, where he founded the firm’s appellate group, serving as the group’s Chair for many years, and was the firm’s primary ethicist on professional responsibility issues.  He has handled hundreds of appellate matters, including before the U.S. Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the Delaware Supreme Court, the Nevada Supreme Court, and various courts of appeal principally including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California Courts of Appeal.  Mr. Smith has long been included among The Best Lawyers in America in the area of appellate law (2007-2020) and as a Southern California Super Lawyer (2004-2020).  He has taught appellate law, legal ethics, and legal writing.

Mr. Smith is a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and was previously Chair of the California State Bar Committee on Appellate Courts, a member of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules of Practice and Internal Operating Procedures, a member of the Ninth Circuit Ad Hoc Appellate Advocacy Committee, and a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee.

“Greg is universally respected for his intelligence, wisdom, skill and collegiality.  He is a friend and a mentor.  Any organization would benefit from his presence and we are honored to have him,” said partner Nathan Lowenstein.  “Having known Greg for many years, we are delighted to be working with him again,” said partner Kenneth Weatherwax.  “We also expect our already growing appellate practice to expand significantly soon, and its work will greatly benefit from Greg’s accomplished presence.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining many friends and former colleagues at this wonderfully vibrant firm.  It’s creativity and thoroughness are well known, and it’s a privilege to become a part of it,” said Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith is also an active member in numerous charitable organizations and is a founder and current President of Westwood Kehilla Synagogue.  He was previously a member of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Board of Directors and President of Los Angeles Hillel Council.  Mr. Smith received his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he served on the Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude, his bachelor’s degree from Claremont Men’s College, summa cum laude, and his master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

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Lowenstein & Weatherwax LLP is one of the top PTAB litigation firms in the country. In its first seven years, L&W has represented clients in over 160 IPRs/CBMs before the Patent Trial and Appeals Board, including over 30 active matters.  Lowenstein & Weatherwax also has a growing appellate practice that includes several active Federal Circuit matters and three prior U.S. Supreme Court matters, including one argued before the Supreme Court.