Patent Litigators Joy Arnold and Bhavana Joneja Join Sheppard Mullin New York

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 3, 2008) - Joy Arnold has joined as a partner and Bhavana Joneja as special counsel in the New York office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property practice group. Both most recently practiced in the New York office of Heller Ehrman.

Arnold's practice focuses on all aspects of intellectual property litigation, with an emphasis on complex patent litigation involving the pharmaceutical and chemical arts. She has prepared, tried and argued large-scale litigation matters related to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, mechanical and medical devices, food products, microprocessor architecture and semiconductor packaging. Prior to law school, Arnold worked in the Department of Cardiovascular Biochemistry of Bristol-Myers Squibb and in the Department of Molecular Biology of GlaxoSmithKline.

Joneja's litigation experience includes active participation in all facets of pretrial discovery and trial work in both the district courts and the ITC. She has represented clients in matters involving several technical subject matters, including pharmaceutical compositions, chemicals, biomedical devices, internet security and business methods. In addition, Joneja has prosecuted numerous patent applications, prepared patentability and non-infringement opinions, and has experience with European patent oppositions involving biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals.

"With 17 years of patent litigation experience and a wealth of biotechnology research knowledge, Joy brings a top-notch mix of legal and scientific expertise. As both a patent agent and attorney, Bhavana also brings extensive patent prosecution experience concentrated in the biotech and biopharma sectors. Joy and Bhavana add significantly to the depth and breadth of our life science capabilities, which is of tremendous value to clients," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm.

Commented Arnold, "Joining Sheppard Mullin provides an exciting opportunity to continue to practice with my former Heller colleagues and friends, and I'm especially pleased to join with Bhavana who I've worked closely with for several years. I am impressed by Sheppard Mullin's patent and life sciences practices, and the firm's dedication and success in growing these capabilities."

Last month, Kirt Shuldberg joined the San Diego/Del Mar office of Sheppard Mullin as a partner in the firm's Corporate practice group. In addition to Shuldberg, other former Heller Ehrman partners who have recently joined Sheppard Mullin and specialize in the life sciences sector include IP partners Hal Milstein in Silicon Valley and Blaine Templeman in New York. Arnold is the thirteenth partner to join Sheppard Mullin this year from Heller Ehrman.

Arnold received a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1991, a M.A. from Wesleyan University in 1988 and an A.B. from Brown University in 1982. Joneja received a J.D. from Fordham University in 2003, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Microbiology & Molecular Biology from Pennsylvania State University 1998 and a B.S. from the University of Delaware in 1994.

Sheppard Mullin has more than 45 attorneys based in its New York office. The firm's Intellectual Property practice group includes more than 60 attorneys firmwide.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 550 attorneys in 11 offices located throughout California and in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. The firm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Founded in 1927 on the principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys delivered prompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullin provides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients. Companies turn to Sheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Joy Arnold (212) 332-5025 Ralph Richardson (213) 617-5542