Euromoney Recognizes Katherine A. Helm as “Best in Patents” and Salutes Dechert for Gender Diversity

Dechert’s New York-based IP partner Dr. Katherine A. (“Kassie”) Helm, known for utilizing her scientific background to protect her clients’ patents and related intellectual property, has been named “Best in Patents” in Euromoney’s Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2020. The contest recognizes outstanding women lawyers and the firms that set the standard for women-friendly work practices.

Dr. Helm’s neuroscience background allows her to offer a unique perspective to innovator pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare companies in all phases of litigation, from pre-suit diligence through trial and appeal and across a wide variety of contentious proceedings around the globe. Recently, she has acted as lead counsel for Eli Lilly in defending against patent infringement actions and as petitioner in post grant review proceedings. In June, she was named by Profiles in Diversity Journal as a “Woman Worth Watching in STEM”, an honor established to celebrate women leaders who break barriers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She was named “U.S. Rising Star for Intellectual Property” by LMG Life Sciences in 2019.

Euromoney also shortlisted three other Dechert partners – Andrea Reid (Life Sciences), Sheila Birnbaum (Product Liability), and Laura Swihart (Structured Finance) – in their respective practice areas. Chicago-based product liability partner Sara Roitman was named a finalist for “Rising Star in Litigation”.

Additionally, Dechert was shortlisted in the “Gender Diversity” and “Work-Life Balance” categories for international firms and was also a finalist in the regional “U.S. – North East” category.

Dechert has made great strides in the support and development of women within the firm in recent years. Its Global Women’s Initiative was designed to connect and support women lawyers at all levels. Through the Sponsorship and Sustained Support initiative, senior women associates receive professional development coaching, support and sponsorship as they navigate the path to partnership.

Dechert is regularly honored for its gender diversity achievements and for progress on its wider D&I goals. In September, the firm achieved Mansfield Plus 2020 Certification for the second year in a row after completing the Mansfield Rule 3.0 twelve-month certification program. It was also recently ranked among the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother, the most significant authority on the 17+ million mothers in the United States who are devoted to their families and committed to their careers. 

Winners in all categories of Euromoney’s Women in Business Law Awards were announced on September 17.

About Dechert 

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.