Lewis Roca selects Aurora North PracticeLink to streamline patent and trademark prosecution

USA/Canada News

08
Apr
2021

Editor

Aurora North today announced that Lewis Roca has selected the Aurora North PracticeLink platform to centralize and streamline core processes and data within its IP practice.

Lewis Roca is an Am Law 200 law firm serving clients throughout the U.S. and globally. The firm’s top-ranking intellectual property practice includes patent, trademark, copyright, and IP litigation.

Lewis Roca initially engaged Aurora North to conduct an assessment of its IP operations, following an earlier project focused on automating subject matter conflicts analysis for its IP practice. As part of the assessment, Brian Aitchison, Director of IP Consulting at Aurora North, identified opportunities for the firm to improve efficiency within its IP operations.

“We valued Brian Aitchison’s pragmatic analysis of our patent and trademark prosecution processes,” said Andrew Johnson, CIO, Lewis Roca. “Improving efficiencies by upgrading our docketing procedures and enhancing the value we deliver to clients were top priorities for our IP practice, and Aurora North provided us with a step-by-step guide to achieving those objectives.”

The firm later decided to consider Aurora North PracticeLink as a possible solution for unifying various tools used by its IP prosecution team.

“Brian provided candid feedback about the extent to which PracticeLink could help us. By mapping our requirements to specific modules within the product, we gained a clear idea of which parts of PracticeLink to implement first for maximum impact,” added Johnson.

Lewis Roca has initially focused on implementing PracticeLink Capture — formerly known as PAIRLink and TSDRLink — which has automated downloads of patent and trademark documents from the USPTO. 

“PracticeLink Capture was an instant hit with our IP support staff,” said Andrew Johnson. “It’s freed up time for many secretaries who no longer have to spend hours each week manually checking and downloading documents from the USPTO Private PAIR web site, and can focus instead on supporting their attorneys in delivering excellent client service.”

The next phase of implementation will focus on PracticeLink Centralize, a web-based work portal which will provide visibility across docketing, the document management system (DMS), and finance and billing systems. The ability to see relevant information from key applications via a single pane of glass will make it easier for lawyers and support staff to align and collaborate, reducing reliance on emails.

“The Aurora North team is extremely knowledgeable and always quick to respond to any question or issue we raise. They work hard to probe and understand our needs at all levels. Aurora North listens and solves problems, and Brian Aitchison in particular has been a trusted advisor,” said Johnson.

“In speaking with members of the Lewis Roca team, it was very clear that the IT and IP operations teams are committed to helping their attorneys deliver exceptional service to their clients,” said Brian Aitchison, Director, Aurora North. “Their dedication and focus will continue to be key differentiators as they incorporate Aurora North PracticeLink into their IP practice.”