A five-lawyer IP team led by partners Tom Meyers and Zachary Hyde have left top 30 UK firm Withersworldwide (formerly Withers Bergman) to join Boston-based law firm Sullivan & Worcester.

Meyers and Hyde and associate Eleesya Cordes will join the firm in Boston, while associates Jonathan Wright and Sung Min Yoon will be based in Sullivan’s New York location.

David Nagle, Sullivan’s managing partner, said the new recruits would bring “enhanced depth to Sullivan’s IP practice, particularly as it aligns with the work we’re doing on behalf of clients in the life sciences and biotech industries.”

He added: “With this group, Sullivan is ideally positioned to meet the current and future needs of our clients in the life sciences sectors in the US, Israel and the EU.”

The hire of Meyers and Hyde comes nearly two years after they moved to Withers from Brown Rudnick, where Meyers led the IP group and was also founder and chair of the life sciences practice.

“Sullivan’s clients are doing cutting-edge, sophisticated work,” Meyers said. “We are very pleased to be associated with highly-capable practitioners in a collegial environment.”

Meyers was more than 13 years at Brown Rudnick, prior to which he was a partner at Cooley and Testa Hurwitz & Thibeault. Between 2004 and 2007 he was also vice president and general counsel of biotech research company Helicos BioSciences Corporation, where he developed patent strategies and oversaw the company’s IPO. 

Hyde's practice is specifically focused on securing and defending patents for clients in the technology and biotech, bioinformatics and pharmaceutical industries.

He joined Brown Rudnick in 2011 after graduating from Boston College Law School and made partner at the firm in 2019.

“The depth of experience that Tom and Zack bring to our clients is impressive,” said Kimberly Herman, leader of Sullivan’s intellectual property, technology and media and entertainment groups.

She added: “Expanding our team with these five talented lawyers adds significant depth to our capabilities.”

The trio of IP associates joining Sullivan from Withers all focus on the natural sciences. Cordes’ experience spans industries including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare and chemistry. 

Wright’s experience includes developing IP portfolios of domestic and international patent applications in areas including life sciences and chemistry, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and semiconductors.

Min Yoon was a US Patent and Trademark Office patent examiner before joining Withers. He specialises in domestic and international patent prosecution, with particular experience in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and therapeutic technologies.

Sullivan & Worcester has lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington. Its IP practice advises clients in the life sciences, technology, entertainment, media, publishing and gaming industries.