R.J. Zayed Joins Dorsey’s Accomplished IP and White Collar Litigation Teams

International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP announced today that R.J. Zayed has joined the Intellectual Property Litigation group in the firm’s Minneapolis office as a partner. Zayed’s practice emphasizes patent and trade secret litigation involving a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, investment models and nutritional supplements, among many others. He also is active in defending white collar crime cases, and is currently the court-appointed receiver in the SEC v. Cook and SEC v. Beckman fraud cases pending in United States District Court. As a former Assistant United States Attorney, Zayed tried many high profile cases including white collar fraud and environmental crimes.

Zayed joins Dorsey from Minneapolis boutique IP firm Carlson, Caspers, Vandenburgh, Lindquist & Schuman, P.A. During his career, he has tried over 40 cases to jury verdict as lead trial counsel. He has also briefed and argued over 30 cases to federal courts of appeals. Commenting on the announcement, Dorsey partner Steve Wells, head of the firm’s global litigation practice, said, “R.J. is a true trial lawyer and he has experience in a tremendously broad array of industries and technologies. He will fit right in with the skilled trial lawyers in our Trial Group and hit the ground running.”

Mr. Zayed noted, “This is a great move for me personally and for the clients I represent. Dorsey’s global reach and full-service platform will enable me and my new partners to serve more of our clients’ needs more efficiently.”

Mr. Zayed’s recruitment is the third time this year that Dorsey has lured a successful partner away from one of its competitors in Minneapolis. Brian Moore, a mergers and acquisitions veteran joined Dorsey from Fredrikson & Byron in March. A. Melinda Maher, an experienced benefits and compensation practitioner, joined the firm from Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly in January.