News

Patent Attorney Joins Seattle Biopharma Omeros

Harris Legal Search is pleased to announce that Glenda Gertz has joined Omeros Corporation as Counsel, Intellectual Property.  Gertz has an advanced degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Carnegie Mellon University.  Prior to joining Omeros, Gertz worked in Seattle private practice.

Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ: OMER) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing small-molecule and protein therapeutics for large-market and orphan indications targeting inflammation, immunologic diseases, and central nervous system disorders.

Aptevo Therapeutics Hires SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer

Harris Legal Search congratulates SoYoung Kwon, who joined Aptevo Therapeutics as SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Corporate Affairs, and Human Resources.   Prior to joining Aptevo, Kwon served as General Counsel at AGC Biologics and Onvia.

Aptevo Therapeutics is a biotech company primarily focused on bringing novel oncology and hematology therapeutics to market.  Aptevo leverages the innovative ADAPTIR™ platform technology, a unique approach to cancer immunotherapy, to improve outcomes for cancer patients.  Based in Seattle, Washington, the company is proud of its empowering work environment, entrepreneurial culture, and proprietary platform technology.

Symetra Life Insurance Adds Insurance Regulatory Counsel

Harris Legal Search is pleased to announce that Dan Weatherly has joined Symetra Life Insurance Company as Senior Counsel, Insurance Regulatory.  Prior to joining Symetra, Weatherly was VP & Senior Counsel at Wells Fargo Bank in Minneapolis.   

Symetra is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.  In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities, and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent financial professionals and insurance producers.

Costco Wholesale Hires Technology Transactions Attorney

Costco Wholesale welcomes Christopher Breunig as in-house counsel supporting the informational technology vendor management team.  Breunig is an experienced technology transactional lawyer who has practiced in-house for over twenty years, including at Microsoft and Premera Blue Cross.

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses that carry quality, brand-name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at conventional wholesale or retail sources.  Costco operates 808 warehouses, including 559 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 105 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 29 in the United Kingdom, 28 in Japan, 16 in Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 12 in Australia, three in Spain, and one each in Iceland, France, and China.  Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

K&L Gates Seattle Welcomes Real Estate Associate

K&L Gates welcomes Christian Scarlett as a real estate associate in Seattle.  Scarlett is an experienced real estate attorney who practiced at Pillsbury in New York, and graduated cum laude from NYU Law.

Since 2010, the K&L Gates Real Estate practice group has been recognized annually with a National Tier 1 Real Estate Law ranking by U.S. News-Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” 

Cambia Health Hires VP, Legal

We're pleased to announce that Russell Collins has joined Cambia Health as VP, Legal to manage corporate and commercial legal matters.  Previously, Collins was Chief Legal Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. 

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Cambia Health is a family of over 20 companies that work together to make the health care system more economically sustainable and efficient for people and their families. Cambia's solutions empower over 80 million people nationwide, including over 3 million people in the Pacific Northwest.

Harris Legal Search Placed Dozens of Attorneys in 2020

In 2020, an unprecedented year, we placed dozens of attorneys in-house (including as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel), and with law firms (including healthcare and corporate partners). We look forward to a new year seeking the perfect attorneys for our valued clients.  For some of our representative placements, click here. 

Pokémon Company International Hires Chief Legal Officer

Harris Legal Search is pleased to announce that Jennifer Liu has joined The Pokémon Company International (“Pokémon”) as Chief Legal Officer.  She will be based at Pokémon U.S. headquarters in Bellevue, WA.  

Prior to joining Pokémon, Liu worked at Sony Interactive Entertainment as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.  She gained two decades of entertainment industry experience working at several Sony entities.  Before going in-house in 2000, Liu practiced intellectual property law at top San Francisco law firms.

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website.  Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world.

Harvard Law and Inti Knapp Discuss In-House Careers

Recently, Harvard Law School invited our Managing Director, Inti Knapp, to discuss “Planning Your In-House Career from Day One.”

Margie Boone, Harvard Law’s Director of Alumni Advising and Professional Development, asked Inti questions on behalf of students and alumni regarding (1) an overview of in-house practice; (2) common misconceptions about practicing in-house; and (3) how law students and law firm associates can best position themselves for an in-house career.  In addition, Inti discussed in-house compensation, comparison of West Coast vs. East Coast in-house practices, popular legal specialties, and the best timing to pursue in-house opportunities.

Although the Zoom video is password-protected at the Harvard Law Career Services website for its students and alumni, the Harris Legal Search team discusses the same topics every day with our corporate clients and candidates.

Transactional Attorney Joins Top Research and Development Company in Bay Area

We are pleased to announce that Crystal Vine has joined Amazon’s Lab126 as Associate Corporate Counsel. Vine previously practiced in the technology transactions group at Venable in San Francisco. In 2016, she graduated from the University of Southern California School of Law.