Woodcock Washburn, Philadelphia's largest intellectual property law firm, said Tuesday that it has elected two new members to the three-person policy committee that manages the firm.

Partners Joseph Lucci and Steven Samuels will join the committee Feb. 1, joining incumbent member Steven Rocci. They replace two of the firm's most senior partners, Dianne Elderkin and Dale Heist, who are stepping down after having served since 2001.
 
Rocci said the firm's partners felt that it was important that the new committee reflect the makeup of the firm, while also maintaining continuity. The committee will be composed of one senior, one midlevel and one junior partner, representing the firm's various legal and technical practice areas.

Rocci, 52, specializes in patent litigation, counseling and procurement for a wide range of clients, including companies in the software, telecommunications, and Internet industries.

Lucci, 46, specializes in patent litigation, prosecution, interferences and client counseling, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Samuels, 40, represents companies in the fields of electronics, computer hardware and software, digital and analog communications, electrical power transmission and business methods.

Rocci said Heist, 58, and Elderkin, 53, will still be involved in firm management, with Heist taking a larger role in business development and Elderkin taking a larger role in the litigation department.

Woodcock Washburn has 90 lawyers. It has offices in Atlanta and Seattle and just moved its Philadelphia office from One Liberty Place to Cira Centre. The firm's clients include Microsoft, Cingular, Du Pont, Johnson & Johnson, Sunoco and Wyeth.

http://www.woodcock.com