SAN FRANCISCO, July 2012 – Sideman & Bancroft LLP is pleased to announce that Simone M. Katz-O’Neill and M. Brooke Wilson have joined the firm as associates. Ms. Katz-O’Neill comes to Sideman from Shartsis Friese LLP, and will be a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. Ms. Wilson, who joined the firm’s Estate Planning Group, was previously an associate in the Private Clients, Trusts and Estate Group at Schiff Hardin LLP.
Ms. Katz-O’Neill’s practice will focus primarily on domestic and international trademark prosecution and counseling and copyright counseling. Over the course of her career, she has advised clients in a variety of industries, including the food and wine, apparel, medical device, art, computer software, and e-commerce industries.
“The IP Group has grown significantly over the years, largely because what we offer is so unique and tailored to each individual client,” said partner Kelly McCarthy. “The experience and knowledge Simone gained working with clients from such a wide variety of industries make her a natural fit for our IP group.”
Ms. Wilson concentrates her practice in the fields of estate planning, trust and estate administration, and federal estate and gift taxation. She counsels individuals and families on all aspects of their estate planning, including guiding clients with family-owned businesses on succession planning; assisting clients with their philanthropic goals; and preparing estate plans for traditional, non-traditional and blended families.
“We’re thrilled to have Brooke join the Estate Planning group,” said managing partner Ellen Kahn. “Her experience perfectly complements the sophisticated work we do for our clients and the culture at Sideman will allow her to continue to grow professionally as well.”
Ms. Katz-O’Neill earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2006. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001, and is a seven-time recipient of the CALI award and Witkin award for excellence in Trademark Prosecution, Civil Procedure, California Appellate Practice, Mediation, Insurance, Environmental Law, and Trial Advocacy I.
Ms. Wilson received her J.D. in 2006 and her LL.M. in Taxation in 2008, both from Temple University Beasley School of Law, and was presented with the Faculty Award in Taxation for graduating at the top of her LLM class. She received her B.A. from University of California, Berkeley in 2000.