Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) is pleased to announce that Christopher G. Simboli, has been elected as chairperson of Parsons’ Intellectual Property (IP) practice group in its offices across the Intermountain West. Simboli practices in Parsons’ Boise, Idaho office and has more than 20 years’ experience in IP licensing; technology; licensing and IP transactions; and trademark prosecution.
Parsons’ IP practice is globally ranked by Chambers & Partners USA and handles all types of IP work including, patents, trade secrets and trademarks, copyrights, technology licensing and IP agreements. Simboli says he is looking forward to continuing the work begun by his predecessor, including enhancing intradepartmental relationships; moving the IP practice forward by recruiting talented IP attorneys; and growing as a group.
“Parsons’ IP attorneys’ direct relationships with clients and the deep knowledge our attorneys develop of clients’ operations and goals sets us apart from competition in the region. Our intrinsic working relationships with our clients allow us to become an extension of their in-house legal teams,” Simboli says. “As department chairperson, I will encourage our attorneys to continue to develop these important relationships that allow Parsons to be the most responsive, “go-to” legal source for IP clients.”
Simboli’s own clients have spanned a gamut of industries, including telecommunications, semiconductor, internet, e-commerce, computer software and hardware, cloud computing, data storage and privacy, consulting and professional services, research and design, and healthcare IT, to name a few. He has represented and negotiated with some of the biggest and best-known technology companies in the world.
Simboli says that with the rapid and constantly-changing nature of technology and the related IP legal world, it is critical that IP attorneys stay ahead of the curve, citing artificial intelligence (AI) as an example. “Technology like AI is going to mean different things to different clients, so you have to know your client, what they expect AI to do for them, and how they’re going to use AI to accomplish those goals. AI will be used in very specific ways, and while some clients are already using this technology in their businesses, others are just beginning to explore AI and to develop their AI strategies. We will be helping them navigate the legal landscape that is emerging around this new technology,” Simboli says.
Boise Office Managing Shareholder Norman R. Semanko says, “Chris Simboli has been an impactful member of our IP and technology practice teams in the Boise office for many years. It is a natural progression that he should now use his talents and extensive experience to lead Parsons’ IP team. We’re extremely pleased to have Chris assume this role within the firm and look forward to the growth that we will undoubtedly see under his guidance.”
