Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that the firm has bolstered its Innovative Technology and Health Care & Life Sciences Sectors with the addition of Brian Tomkins as a partner in the Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies Practice Group. Tomkins, who joins Foley’s New York office, is the latest testament to the firm’s strategic expansion on the East Coast and its offerings across key practices and sectors.

Tomkins’ practice encompasses all areas of intellectual property, including global IP strategy, due diligence, clearance, litigation, and transactional work such as mergers and acquisitions, licensing, development agreements, and joint ventures. He advises clients across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, software, blockchain, and financial services. Tomkins also provides strategic counseling on the acquisition, protection, and commercialization of new technologies and product lines.

“Brian brings a wealth of experience managing complex IP transactions, especially in high-growth industries such as medical devices, biotechnology, and emerging technologies,” said Matthew Martin, chair of the Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies Practice Group. “His background in counseling clients on both high-level transactional work and IP litigation strengthens our team’s ability to deliver tailored and effective solutions to address our clients’ diverse IP needs.”

Tomkins has extensive experience managing global IP portfolios and providing due diligence support for M&A and other transactions involving IP rights. He advises clients on strategies to address third-party IP risks, including clearance opinions, IP challenges, and licensing agreements. Tomkins also has experience in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation, as well as pharmaceutical patent litigation under the Hatch-Waxman Act.

“We continue to invest in expanding our New York office and East Coast presence, and the addition of Brian is a key part of our strategy to strengthen our capabilities in the region,” said Anne Sekel, managing partner of Foley’s New York office. “His experience in managing significant IP transactions not only enhances our capabilities but also complements our M&A and Fund Formation & Investment Management teams here in New York, providing us with even greater depth to address the growing transactional and IP needs of our clients.”

“This move is a natural progression in my practice, and joining Foley was an easy decision,” said Tomkins. “The firm’s strong bench, extensive resources, and solid reputation will provide the support I need to continue addressing complex legal issues for our clients. I look forward to collaborating with a nationwide team, particularly in the life sciences and medical device sectors, to deliver comprehensive legal solutions to Foley’s diverse and expansive clientele.”