News

Allen Institute Hires General Counsel

We are pleased to announce that Meg McClellan has joined the Allen Institute as General Counsel.  Previously, McClellan was Chief Legal Officer at another major research organization, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

The Allen Institute is fiercely committed to solving some of the biggest mysteries of bioscience, researching the unknowns of human biology through studies of the brain, the human cell, and the immune system.  Divisions include the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Allen Institute for Cell Science, the Allen Institute for Immunology, and the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.  All this work is done to fulfill their founder Paul G. Allen’s vision for accelerating global progress towards improving health and lengthening human life.

NanoString Hires Director of IP

Harris Legal Search congratulates NanoString Technologies, Inc. on hiring Elizabeth Schubert as Director of Intellectual Property.  Prior to joining NanoString, Schubert earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas School of Biomedical Sciences - MD Anderson Cancer Center and her J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law.  Prior to becoming a lawyer, Schubert investigated the genetic causes of breast cancer as a Senior Fellow in the Medical Genetics program at the University of Washington, and as a Fred Hutch scientist.

NanoString Technologies (NASDAQ: NSTG) is a provider of life science tools for translational research.  The company’s technology enables a wide variety of basic research and translational medicine applications.  In 2019, the company launched the GeoMx™ Digital Spatial Profiler enabling highly-multiplexed spatial profiling of RNA and protein targets in a variety of sample types, including FFPE tissue sections.

MicroVision Hires General Counsel

Harris Legal Search congratulates Drew Markham on joining MicroVision, Inc. as VP, General Counsel & Secretary.  Prior to joining MicroVision, Markham had over twenty years of experience advising public companies, including as Deputy General Counsel at RealNetworks, Inc. and in private practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), based in Redmond, Washington, is a pioneering company in MEMS based laser beam scanning technology that integrates MEMS, lasers, optics, hardware, algorithms and machine learning software into its proprietary technology to address existing and emerging markets. The Company's integrated approach uses its proprietary technology to provide solutions for automotive lidar sensors, augmented reality micro-display engines, interactive display modules and consumer lidar modules.

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.