Charlotte, NC – Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP announces the opening of its office in Atlanta, Georgia, the firm’s sixth location and its first outside of North Carolina and South Carolina. The Atlanta office is home to new Partner Robert Florence, who boosts the firm’s already vibrant Life Sciences Industry Team with his extensive and recognized background representing the pharmaceutical industry. Rob, formerly with McGuireWoods LLP, most recently was a partner with the IP boutique Workman Nydegger in Atlanta. Joining Rob in Atlanta from McGuireWoods is paralegal Crystal Regan. The group joins Parker Poe’s Todd Sprinkle, a litigation partner, previously with the firm’s Charlotte office, now residing in the firm’s new Atlanta office. Parker Poe’s expansion into the Atlanta market marks the firm’s overall growth and ever-increasing presence throughout the Southeast.

Also joining the firm from McGuireWoods are Brian Parker and Kimberly Cacheris, who will reside in the firm’s Charlotte office. Brian is well known in the legal industry for his practice in pharmaceutical-related litigation, regulatory and compliance work. Kim is a highly respected employment litigator.

“We are delighted to have so many exciting announcements to make – from our new laterals, to the expansion of our Life Sciences Industry Team, to our new office in Atlanta,” says Parker Poe Managing Partner Thomas Griffin. “Our increased presence across the Southeast positions us well to serve these global businesses. As a firm, we have made great gains in the past years, providing legal counsel to a wide variety of clients across industries. With the addition of Rob, Kim and Brian, and their capable team, we are poised for further success and growth in Atlanta, the Carolinas and beyond in the coming year.”

Rob Florence is a registered patent attorney who focuses his practice on patents and trademarks, and related business litigation with specific emphasis on complex pharmaceutical patent litigation brought under the Hatch-Waxman Act. He is known nationally for his Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) expertise and has extensive experience counseling generic pharmaceutical companies regarding pre-litigation strategies and defending such companies in patent litigation. Mr. Florence handles litigation from inception through trial and has litigated cases before both state and federal courts and the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Florence has negotiated and prepared commercial agreements including licensing, assignment of rights, development, indemnification, non-disclosure, non-compete, employment and settlement agreements.

Brian Parker has extensive experience in defending innovative and generic pharmaceutical companies in safety and efficacy litigation involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Brian was the Managing Partner for McGuireWoods Pittsburgh office before relocating to Charlotte. Prior to joining the firm Brian led defense teams for both domestic and foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers in individual and multi-district litigation relating to single-cell and biological compounds. His experience includes advising CEOs, general counsel and boards of directors of pharmaceutical and medical device companies on compliance, regulatory, intellectual property and corporate issues. Brian is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the board of directors for the Forbes Fund and the Institute of Politics, pension subcommittee. He earned both his JD and undergraduate degrees from Duquesne University.

Kim Cacheris joins the firm as partner, and brings with her a wealth of experience in employment litigation in state and federal courts, employment discrimination and harassment, wrongful discharge and the enforcement of non-compete agreements. Prior to joining the firm, Kim represented employers before federal and state administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Departments of Labor and the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Outside of her litigation practice, she provided counsel on employment agreements, handbooks and policies, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. Kim was recognized by Working Mother Magazine and the National Association of Female Executives for her development of policies supporting work life-balance and her year-long business development initiative for women, resulting in her being on the cover of their Top Law Firms for Women issue in 2011. She was also named to Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2005. She earned her JD from Wake Forest University and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Parker Poe’s Life Sciences Industry Team focus the needs of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices and other industries with similar focus. They will provide legal counsel on a broad range of matters ranging from intellectual property to trademarking, in addition to litigation.

Parker Poe’s Atlanta office is currently located at the address below, with plans to move to a larger space this Spring.

About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has approximately 200 lawyers in six offices located in major markets across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters.