Kathrine Brandt and Jan Weir, Glaser Weil 

Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro's Intellectual Property rebuild is fully underway.

After bringing in ex-McKool Smith partner Lawrence Hadley last fall to chair the practice, the firm announced Monday that it has hired the principals of Orange County's Weir & Brandt. Jan Weir will join as partner and Kathrine Brandt as of counsel. The firm also has added associate Stephen Underwood from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan.

Weir and Brandt bring capability in life science and pharmaceutical litigation, among other areas. Weir has degrees in chemistry and microbiology, and Brandt in medical neurosciences. It's part of Hadley's strategic plan for the practice, according to Glaser Weil litigation department chair Patricia Glaser. “With advancements in life sciences, pharmaceutical, and technology industries, these outstanding attorneys add unique knowledge and additional support to the firm,” she said in a written statement.

Weir and Brandt practiced together previously at Michelman & Robinson and at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth. Among their achievements was successfully defending 47 of 48 challenged claims of a semiconductor patent owned by Palomar Technologies Inc. before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Clients have also included medical device maker Massimo, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals and Spitz Technologies Corp. Weir's work has spanned polymer chemistry, medical devices, semiconductors and software, but with much of his focus the last 15 years in the pharma area.

Weir also has worked at K&L Gates and Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly. He said he's talked in recent years with Hadley, who's known for his trial skills, about joining forces. “I've always thought between the two of us we'd make a pretty good trial team,” Weir said in a phone interview Monday.

Glaser Weil's IP practice cratered last summer when practice chair Adrian Pruetz retired and three other partners left for other firms. The firm rebounded by plucking Hadley, of McKool Smith and previously Hennigan Dorman and O'Melveny & Myers. Hadley said at the time he was lured by the opportunity to “lead, grow and further develop the intellectual property practice at Glaser Weil.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jan, Kathrine, and Stephen to the team—all of which bring a wealth of knowledge and rare specialties that are valuable to furthering our department's capabilities,” Hadley said in a written statement.