CHICAGO — Jan. 6, 2024 — BakerHostetler is pleased to announce Leif Sigmond will be the next partner-in-charge of the firm’s Chicago office, succeeding Ronald Okada. Sigmond, who also serves as firmwide co-chair of BakerHostetler’s Patent Litigation team and co-chair of the nationwide Software industry team, moved into his role on Jan. 1, 2025, as the firm continues its growth in the region.
“I am honored to have led the Chicago office for the past 16 years and am thrilled to pass the torch to Leif, whose energy and vision will help elevate our office to new heights,” said Okada. “His leadership will strengthen our firm’s offerings in this strategic market and ensure we remain a trusted resource for businesses navigating complex legal challenges.”
“Leif is both a leader in intellectual property law and highly regarded for his skills in the courtroom. He has helped steer the IP litigation team to a reputation for delivering successful results on behalf of our clients,” said Paul Schmidt, chairman of BakerHostetler. “With Leif at the helm, our presence in Chicago will continue to grow and excel in delivering exceptional value and results to our clients.”
Sigmond received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Delaware Law School, where he served as the Business Manager of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College.
“I am excited to lead the Chicago office as we continue to strengthen and expand our presence in the marketplace,” Sigmond said. “The people in BakerHostetler’s Chicago office reflect the talent and dedication of this thriving city and I look forward to helping our clients navigate their most complex legal issues.”
Sigmond is Chambers USA ranked has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America each year since 2013 in the areas of Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Patent and was also named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in 2019.
As partner-in-charge, Sigmond will lead the Chicago office’s strategic initiatives, helping the firm continue to expand its presence and capabilities in the region. His extensive background in IP litigation and team leadership, where he regularly oversees complex cases involving multidisciplinary legal teams, will be instrumental in driving the firm’s growth in the Chicago region.
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BakerHostetler helps clients around the world address their most complex and critical business and regulatory issues. Our highly ranked attorneys deliver sophisticated counsel and outstanding client service. We have six core practice groups — Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Tax — and more than 1,000 lawyers coast to coast. For more information, visit bakerlaw.com.