Press Release | Oct 26, 2026Honigman Establishes Boston Presence with Strategic Life Sciences Focus

The addition of three accomplished intellectual property attorneys advances Honigman's national growth strategy and expands the firm's footprint in one of the country's leading life sciences markets

BOSTON - Honigman LLP announced today its expansion into the Boston market with the addition of new patent Partners Cristin Cowles, Ph.D., Danielle Herritt, and Deborah Vernon, Ph.D. All three join from Womble Bond Dickinson, bringing significant intellectual property capabilities to serve the firm's growing life sciences practice and its clients.

"Our expansion into Boston is a true indication of the firm's health and momentum," said Honigman chief executive officer and chairman David Foltyn. "Establishing a presence in this important innovation hub will strengthen our ability to serve life sciences clients and expand our reach in a key strategic market."

Cowles advises clients on patent prosecution, lifecycle management, due diligence evaluations, patentability analyses, freedom-to-operate determinations, inventorship investigations, and validity opinions. A significant portion of her practice is focused on molecular biology and biochemistry technologies. Her work has included developing and managing international patent portfolios directed to blockbuster therapeutic antibodies, as well as patent portfolios for clinical-stage antibodies and antibody drug conjugates.

Herritt has secured many patents listed in the FDA Orange Book and defended them in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings and Federal Circuit appeals. Her work for commercial products spans small molecule and small peptide drugs, including multiple blockbusters. Beyond portfolio management, she also guides clients through transactional due diligence and resolves disputes with development and clinical partners.

"Cristin, Danielle, and Deborah bring exceptional experience and capabilities that complement the strengths of our intellectual property and life sciences teams," said Harold Fox, Ph.D., co-leader of Honigman's Life Sciences group and co-chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Department. "Their addition deepens the sophisticated counsel we can provide to clients navigating complex IP matters, while creating opportunities to further grow our practice in a market where many of our attorneys have long-term client relationships."

Vernon's practice focuses on chemical and mechanical arts and she advises clients on patent prosecution, appeals, and related intellectual property matters. Her experience includes representing clients in patent appeals, reissue proceedings, and reexamination matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She has litigated contested matters before the PTAB, handled PTAB appeals to the Federal Circuit, conducted intellectual property due diligence for corporate financing transactions, and drafted technology licenses, intellectual property licenses, and product development agreements.

About Honigman:

Honigman is a full-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys advising clients on complex business, litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters throughout the United States. The firm has offices in Boston, Chicago, Detroit (with multiple locations throughout Michigan), Washington, DC, and Israel. For more information, visit honigman.com.

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