Continuing its rapid hiring in intellectual property, King & Spalding had added two former Mayer Brown partners in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Baskin, who was Mayer Brown's former IP practice leader in Washington, and Dara Kurlancheek, a partner in Mayer Brown's Washington office, joined King & Spalding, the firm announced Monday.

They are the latest IP litigators to join King & Spalding, which said it has added 16 attorneys to the IP team in the last year and a half, including 11 partners. 

While he declined to name any clients, Baskin said that his and Kurlancheek's client relationships were “strong” and that keeping them that way was of “vital importance,” suggesting the lawyers anticipate some clients' business to move with them.

Baskin said that he does not expect the core fundamentals of their practice to change with the move but noted a larger focus on international clients, particularly in China, could be in the plans. “We plan on continuing to do what we do,” he said. “But there is opportunity for strategic growth in Asia.”

Speaking on his reasons for the move, Baskin said he has admired the firm's growth trajectory and its commitment to its IP practice nationally and in Washington.

Kenneth Steinthal, leader of King & Spalding's intellectual property practice, says that he anticipates the group will continue to expand over the next 12 months, although not at quite the same break-neck pace as over the previous year and a half.

The IP practice has also seen some departures. Former partners Charles Cantine, Joseph Diamante and Kevin Dinan have all left the firm in the last 18 months. Cantine and Diamante both left for Troutman Sanders, while Dinan is now at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Prior to joining King & Spalding, both Baskin and Kurlancheek were at Mayer Brown for more than six years.

Baskin also spent almost 13 years as a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and was an associate at Jones Day. For her part, Kurlancheek was previously an associate at Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto for three years before a brief stint at Kilpatrick Townsend. She and Baskin both left for Mayer Brown in March of 2013.

Steinthal said the firm has known both lawyers for “many years” and their ”technical expertise and current list of clients overlap perfectly with the firm's strategic priorities.”