Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has hired patent litigator Dr. Jack Ko as an IP partner at its Shanghai office from Perkins Coie.

Ko, who holds two post-graduate technical degrees, specialises in patent due diligence, counseling and litigation across various industries, including e-commerce, semiconductor, Internet as well as retail and consumer product sectors. He practices before the U.S. International Trade Commission and in district courts.

Ko also brings with him a wealth of technical skill, as he was a prominent technology developer prior to his law practice. He was noted for co-inventing five photonic device patents as well as designing high-performance photodetectors and lasers used in telecommunication instruments and devices. He has previously collaborated with renowned tech brands such as Microsoft, Amazon.com, HTC and ASUS Computer International.

“Jack’s addition in Shanghai is a game-changer for the services we offer clients across the electronics and telecom categories. His practice fits perfectly with our strategy for the expansion of our intellectual property offerings in China,” said James Rishwain, Pillsbury’s firm chair and CEO, in a statement.