The head of Dilworth Paxson's patent practice has made a move to Armstrong Teasdale, as the Am Law 200 firm continues to grow its Philadelphia presence.

Edward “Ted” Behm joined Armstrong Teasdale as a partner last week, the firm announced Monday. He was a partner at Dilworth Paxson for two-and-a-half years, also serving as chair of the firm's patent practice. Before that, he practiced at Barnes & Thornburg.

“It was very difficult to leave such a storied institution as Dilworth Paxson,” Behm said. “I needed a larger bench, and not something that can be built out from scratch.”

Armstrong Teasdale has more than 55 patent attorneys firmwide, Behm said, providing a greater diversity of patent practitioners, in both litigation and prosecution.

Behm said he hopes to bring all of his clients over to his new firm, but declined to name them. According to court records, his recent clients have included the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Infinity Computer Products Inc.

Armstrong Teasdale partner Richard Scheff, who leads the firm's Eastern U.S. presence, said Behm is bringing a significant book of business to the firm.

“He's somebody who's proven in the IP world. He has a very nice and stable practice,” Scheff said. “This is part of the plan we've had to grow in the East.”

Scheff said the firm is already talking to other IP lawyers in New York and Philadelphia, including lawyers who will support Behm's practice and partners with their own books of business.

“We have clients in the East that we either do intellectual property work for or want to do intellectual property work for,” Scheff said. “Having somebody close, instead of a plane ride away … makes a difference” in getting that work.

Armstrong Teasdale built its East Coast footprint by taking well-known lawyers from another established local midsize firm. It launched the Philadelphia office last year by hiring a group from Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, led by Scheff, Montgomery McCracken's executive chairman at the time.

Earlier this year, the firm brought on another group from Montgomery McCracken in New York—16 real estate lawyers who launched a Manhattan presence for Armstrong Teasdale.

The Philadelphia office recently set up its permanent space in One Commerce Square.

Ajay Raju, CEO of Dilworth Paxson, said the firm wishes Behm the best. He said Dilworth Paxson has an affiliated relationship with another IP group already, so “from a client-service standpoint there will be continuity.”

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