US IP firm expands into Europe with Frankfurt office

US niche IP firm Darby & Darby has opened its first international office in Frankfurt, signaling the start of a European expansion.

Darby bagged patent lawyers Erik Swanson and Thomas Canty from the Frankfurt office of US rival Davidson Davidson & Kappel to set up the office.

Swanson is an ex-Navy nuclear submarine officer and specialises in telecommunications patent prosecution and litigation. With Canty, the office will have patent capability in the electrical, mechanical and software fields as well.

Darby managing partner Andrew Baum said: “The opening of Darby’s Frankfurt office and the addition of Tom and Erik makes our services more accessible and user-friendly to our European clients.”

Darby & Darby’s other offices are in New York and Washington DC.