Miller Canfield Opens Office in Cambridge, Mass.; Expands Biotechnology, IP and Life Sciences Practice
Law firm will open office with two prominent life sciences attorneys
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., Michigan’s largest corporate law firm, announced today that it will open an office in Cambridge, Massachusetts this month to expand its work in several fast-growing sectors – biotechnology and life sciences, intellectual property, and venture and technology. Miller Canfield will be the only Michigan-based law firm with an office in Massachusetts.
The new office will be located at One Broadway in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, well known as the gateway to biotech research and home to numerous biomedical, biopharmaceutical and other high-technology companies. Kendall Square is famous for the number of biotechnology and information technology firms located there, lured by the proximity of several institutions of higher learning and many fine research hospitals.
“Cambridge is arguably the life sciences industry’s most diverse and dynamic market – and that’s where we want to be,” said Michael W. Hartmann, CEO of Miller Canfield. “With an increased global focus on biotech and life sciences, alternative energy, advanced automotive technology, homeland security and IT, our expertise and geographic reach in North America and Eastern Europe will create new opportunities and international access for clients.”
Leading the office in Cambridge are Raymond G. Arner, former Senior Vice President and Chief IP Counsel at Biogen Idec Inc., a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, and Anne Marie Cook, Senior Vice President, Business and Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary of ViaCell, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company.
Arner, prior to joining Biogen Idec Inc. in 1999, was VP, Global Intellectual Property for Pharmacia & Upjohn Company following the merger of Pharmacia AB and The Upjohn Company in 1995, and prior to that VP, Corporate Intellectual Property Law for The Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Mich. Before joining Upjohn in 1994, Arner was Associate General Counsel and Chief Patent Counsel for the DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company in Wilmington, Del. He graduated magna cum laude from Temple University Law School. He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the State Bars of Michigan and Pennsylvania, and is seeking admission to practice in Massachusetts.
Cook has been responsible for managing ViaCell’s corporate legal affairs and business development activities, including product development initiatives and potential technology acquisitions and licenses. Prior to joining ViaCell, she held the position of VP, Chief Corporate Counsel at Biogen Idec Inc. where she oversaw the company’s legal matters pertaining to product collaboration and license agreements, securities law, FDA compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. She also has experience representing venture capital limited partnerships. She graduated, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School and holds a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts.
With over 350 attorneys practicing in all major areas of law, Miller Canfield is among the 200 largest law firms in the U.S., is Michigan’s largest law firm and is one of the top corporate law firms in the state of Michigan as recognized by Chambers USA referral guide and Corporate Board Member magazine.
Miller Canfield was established in Detroit in 1852 and employs more than 800 in offices in Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Canada and Poland.