Varnum is pleased to announce that Karen Younkins, a nationally recognized intellectual property and technology litigator, has joined the firm’s Litigation and ADR Practice Team as a partner in its Ann Arbor office.
Younkins brings more than 16 years of experience representing major national and global companies in high-stakes patent, trade secret, and technology disputes. She has represented clients including Amazon, Starbucks, Pfizer, Oracle, Medtronic, Stryker, and Peloton in state and federal courts, before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and before the Federal Circuit. Her work spans software, medical devices, biotechnology, automotive technology, robotics, consumer electronics, and consumer products. She also advises clients on patent prosecution, licensing, intellectual property strategy, and risk management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Karen to Varnum,” said Jon Bylsma, firm chair of Varnum. “Her national reputation and depth of experience add meaningful strength to our litigation practice.”
Younkins joins Varnum from Hueston Hennigan LLP, where she handled complex patent and trade secret litigation. She previously served as director of client relations at RPX Corporation, advising major companies on intellectual property risk and patent strategy. Earlier in her career, she practiced patent litigation at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, served as in-house intellectual property counsel at an electric vehicle company, and worked as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
“Karen is a significant addition to our litigation team and further strengthens our intellectual property capabilities,” said Matt Bower, lead partner of Varnum’s Ann Arbor office. “Her ability to understand highly technical issues and translate them into effective legal strategy will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”
Younkins earned her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and her Bachelor of Science from Dickinson College, with a double major in physics and astronomy, and mathematics. She is admitted to practice in California and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
