The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced today its combination with Adsero IP, a leading intellectual property (IP) law firm in Denver, effective March 1, 2023. The opening of a Denver office marks Quarles’ second recent expansion in the western U.S., having established its presence in California this January through a combination with Paul, Plevin, a premier labor and employment law firm.

DEEPER DIVE: Quarles joins Forces with Paul, Plevin; expands into California

Adsero is a 29-person, full-service IP firm serving the needs of clients nationally and internationally. Founded in 1994, its team includes 14 attorneys and patent agents – many with advanced degrees – who bring extensive knowledge in an array of technology sub-sectors. Adsero handles IP work on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, startups and public sector organizations and boasts one of the region’s top Asia practices. Its robust biotechnology and pharmaceuticals practice includes three lawyers and one patent agent with PhDs.

“Denver has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with vibrant telecommunications, software, energy, health care, life sciences and financial investment sectors,” said Michael Aldana, firm managing partner and chair of the executive committee at Quarles. “Given our depth in IP and technology, opening an office in Denver was a logical next step in our growth trajectory. Adsero’s track record of growth and success over the past nearly 30 years, along with its team that brings significant experience guiding clients on their IP strategies, make them an ideal partner in the Denver market.”

Adsero’s wide-ranging capabilities include patent prosecution and portfolio development; the selection, clearance, registration and prosecution of trademarks; and structuring and negotiating deals for use of IP rights. The firm has extensive experience acquiring and enforcing IP rights in Asia, as well as litigating IP issues in federal courts across the country, before various administrative agencies and in alternative dispute resolution forums.

“As our practices grew and diversified over the past five years, the advantages of a larger platform became evident,” said Ian Saffer, current managing partner of Adsero. “Quarles presented us with an ideal opportunity to help establish its presence in Colorado as we combine our two firms’ strong capabilities in IP, while maintaining our shared commitment to the individual needs of clients and providing exceptional service. We’re excited about the many opportunities to collaborate and leverage a national platform to enhance the value we provide to our clients, our people and our community.”

Adsero will immediately transition to the Quarles name and Saffer will serve as the firm’s Denver office managing partner.

“Combining with Adsero gives Quarles a strong presence in the ever-burgeoning Denver market and adds even greater depth to our Intellectual Property Practice Group, which has spent over 100 years helping clients achieve their business goals,” said Brad Vynalek, Quarles firm president. “We are proud to add Adsero’s exceptional team to our already robust IP group, which now includes more than 140 attorneys and business professionals across the U.S.”

With the California and Denver expansions, Quarles now has approximately 520 lawyers in 12 U.S. offices.