A life spent in technology and computers and reading espionage, mystery, and science fiction stories is a natural background for someone focusing in cybersecurity and information technology law, including software licensing and global data protection. This has expanded to assisting teams with technical audits (SOC1, SSAE, and the like) and explaining how changes in privacy laws globally affect our ability to support customer requests and provide data requested during such audits. My background in technology is recognized and appreciated by operations groups, who say I am much "crisper" in my communications than the average lawyer with whom they interact.

I found that intellectual property law is a natural way to combine my passion for the arts with the practicality of a career, since my skill at the arts is limited to appreciative patron. To bolster my credentials, I obtained an LLM in Intellectual Property Law and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional accreditation, both of which I maintain through continuing education, writing, and speaking credits.

Most of my publications have focused in trademark or copyright law, and I have been on panels at professional meetings talking about global intellectual property protection and litigation practices; cybersecurity issues; and contract drafting and management. I also have presented to non-legal groups about privacy and cybersecurity, and non-patent intellectual property matters. In various of my roles I have presented to internal groups about protection of data and information, compliance with laws limiting information access, and managing and protecting a global and multilingual intellectual property portfolio.

I am admitted to practice in Illinois and Connecticut, several federal courts, and before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Nena Bains is a seasoned patent attorney who focuses her practice on all aspects of patent prosecution and counseling in the field of medical devices. Nena has considerable experience designing, building, and managing patent portfolios, guiding medical device projects through IP minefields and transactional efforts, and successfully concluding complex negotiations. Her practice also includes due diligence investigations, clearance reviews, opinion work, licensing, inter partes reviews (IPRs), and litigation support. Nena also assists clients in developing corporate intellectual property programs that capture and protect the most valuable assets of the client.

Nena has a unique understanding of the challenges that face clients having been in-house for nearly seven years at both a start-up and a large public company. Prior to joining the firm, Nena was Vice President of Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs for Pulmonary Endoscopy at Boston Scientific Corporation, where she managed worldwide intellectual property and legal functions for its pulmonary franchise. Previously, she was Vice President of Intellectual Property and Legal at Asthmatx, Inc., a start-up medical device company developing RF based systems for asthma, which was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation in 2010.

Nena’s knowledge of the medical device industry and the importance of patent protection are well established. Her technical experience extends to a wide array of fields, including neuromodulation, endoscopy and pulmonary technologies, robotic surgical systems, minimally invasive electrosurgical devices, drug delivery means, aneurysm grafts/filaments, laser eye surgery systems, dental appliances, contraceptive implants, spine surgery, radiation, cryo, and ultrasound devices, pulse oximeters, occlusion devices, dialysis valves, and numerous guidewire, stent and catheter-based technologies.

Nena currently serves as a member of her firm’s Executive Committee. She was recognized as a top patent practitioner in 2024 and the four years immediately preceding by IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners. Nena was named a "Patent Leader" in 2024 by World IP Review. In 2020, she was recommended by Legal 500 US for Patent Prosecution.

Katie Barton is a seasoned employment law counselor and litigator for clients in Georgia and nationwide who strategically, efficiently, and practically solves challenges.

Katie regularly counsels management on employment issues, such as leaves of absence, disability accommodations, severance agreements, wage and hour compliance, performance management, employment policies, and employee handbooks. Katie also trains managers and employees on a variety of employment topics, including prohibitions against workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, and conducts and oversees related investigations. With her counseling, Katie helps clients reduce the risk of employment-related lawsuits and focus on their business. When disputes arise, however, Katie is an experienced and zealous advocate and litigator. Her litigation experience includes successfully representing management in employment litigation under Title VII, the FLSA, the ADEA, the ADA, and the FMLA, and before the EEOC and state civil rights agencies. Katie also has experience litigating, counseling clients on, and drafting restrictive covenants, non-compete agreements, and non-solicitation agreements. Katie additionally conducts FLSA audits for management and regularly performs labor and employment due diligence on sales, acquisitions, and mergers.

Katie’s traditional labor experience includes regularly representing management first-chair in labor arbitrations and counseling management on matters arising under collective bargaining agreements.

Prior to joining the firm, Katie clerked for the office of the General Counsel at the University of Tennessee, where she worked primarily on labor and employment matters. During law school, she was the Best Preliminary Round Oral Advocate in the 2007 Robert F. Wagner Labor & Employment Moot Court Competition.

Katie’s pro bono work includes representing victims of domestic violence and stalking in obtaining temporary protective orders. Katie serves on Partnership Against Domestic Violence’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Katie was recognized as a Georgia "Rising Star" in 2021 and the eight years immediately preceding for Employment & Labor Law by Super Lawyers magazine.

In her personal time, Katie plays monster trucks and builds robots with her two sons, plays tennis, and attends local art festivals.