Robert Plotkin has been a patent attorney specializing in growing strategic patent portfolios for over 25 years, with a particular specialty in obtaining patents for software and computer technology. He is the co-founder of the boutique patent firm, Blueshift IP, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Robert is an MIT-educated computer scientist and uses his combined expertise in patent law and computer science to maximize the value of his clients’ patent portfolios in the US and worldwide. His clients have profitably sold and licensed the patents he has obtained for them to major corporations worldwide. Robert is also a named inventor and owner of dozens of patents that he has monetized successfully.

Benjamin M. Stern is a partner in Nutter’s Litigation Department. He focuses his practice on patent litigation and has extensive trial experience representing multinational and entrepreneurial companies in federal and state courts nationwide, as well before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

With a strong background in both intellectual property litigation and complex commercial litigation, Ben assists clients in protecting and enforcing their rights. Ben combines impressive courtroom experience with knowledge of complex technologies that allows him to translate sophisticated subject matter into understandable concepts for judges and juries. He has represented numerous companies in patent litigations, including in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Texas, District of Delaware, and Northern District of California.

Ben has extensive technical experience in numerous industries, including telecommunications, software, semiconductors, consumer products, data storage systems, SMS messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), speech recognition, video monitoring products, medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

Russ is a Director at Longford Capital, responsible for investment sourcing, underwriting and monitoring. Russ has over 25 years experience representing clients in enforcing intellectual property rights in a wide array of industries. He has litigated complex intellectual property matters in federal courts throughout the United States and before the Federal Circuit. He has also prosecuted patent applications and represented clients in interferences, ex parte reexaminations, and inter partes reviews in the U.S. Patent Office.  Russ has been recognized by Chambers for Litigation Finance in IP, LawDragon as Global Leader in Litigation Finance, and as an Illinois Super Lawyer. Prior to joining Longford, Russ was a partner in the international law firm, Nixon Peabody LLP where he served as leader of the firm’s national IP Litigation practice group. Russ is a graduate of Purdue University, with a degree in electrical engineering, and Chicago-Kent College of Law.