Cambridge, MA, June 2, 2003 -- Attorneys Matthew B. Lowrie, Peter C. Lando and John N. Anastasi today announced the formation of Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi (LL&A), LLP.  The new intellectual property law firm intends to establish a new work model that promotes the human aspects of legal work - mentoring, closer relationships with clients and better personal and professional balance.

The three founders left the Boston law firm of Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. at the end of May to form the new firm.  They will continue to specialize in all areas of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing and business transactions and related litigation.  They continue to serve client needs in the chemical, electrical, computer hardware and software, mechanical and medical device technologies

"We are excited about our new venture, and look forward to welcoming clients to the firm," said Lowrie.  "We expect to grow significantly in our first few months of business and have plans to reach 20 to 25 employees by the end of the year,” added Lando.  Anastasi commented that the announcement has been received enthusiastically in the legal community.
The offices of Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, LLP are located at Riverfront Office Park,
One Main Street, Eleventh Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, Telephone 617-395-7000. The firm's website is WWW.LL-A.COM.

Citing a 1999 Boston Bar Association Taskforce report as one impetus for starting LL&A, the partners indicated that the new firm will target fewer billable hours compared to the majority of other law firms.  For example, instead of  associates’ required 1,800 to 2,000+ billable hours per year, LL&A has set their billable standard for an associate at 1,600 hours per year.  A 50 percent bonus will be given to associates for every hour billed over the 1,600 hour mark.

The BBA report, called “Facing the Grail: Confronting the Cost of Work-Family Imbalance” concluded that many law students, law firm associates and partners believe that being a successful partner or associate in private practice is incompatible with daily involvement in family life.  The report also stated that the structure and cultural factors in most law firms fuel a competitive, long-hours cycle that lessens the quality of service clients receive and is at odds with work-family balance.   

“We are offering a different vision that will allow attorneys to focus more on the client while taking away the stress of a required amount of very high billable hours,” Lando said.  “Working with the pressure of increasing mandatory billable hours is a treadmill and we believe it’s time to get off,” he said.  “It is a win for everyone; we will deliver a more responsive service at a better value to our clients and our professionals will have more balanced lives,” added Anastasi.

Partners Bring Deep Expertise and Proven Success to New Firm

Messrs. Lowrie, Lando and Anastasi all have substantial experience in practicing all aspects of intellectual property law, building a practice and running a law practice. 

Matt Lowrie was the first chairperson of Wolf Greenfield’s Litigation Practice Group.  He oversaw the expansion of Wolf Greenfield’s litigation practice, tripling its billable work in just a few years.  He also initiated, developed and ran the firm’s first formal training program on patent law; developed and secured approval of the firm’s first pro bono program, and chaired the committee overseeing it.  He has spoken at many conferences, published numerous articles and is frequently quoted in the press.  Matt is an adjunct professor at Suffolk University Law School and also has served as an adjunct professor at Franklin Pierce Law Center. 

Matt received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, and clerked for the Honorable Robert E. Keeton in the United States District Court of Massachusetts.

Before that, he attended the University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, with the highest honors; a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and completed the coursework for a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering.

Peter Lando is the current President of the Boston Patent Law Association, the largest intellectual property law organization in New England.  He served on Wolf Greenfield’s Executive Committee, chaired the firm’s Client Services committee, co-chaired the firm’s Chemical Practice Group and was a member of Wolf Greenfield’s Trademark, Licensing, Mechanical and Opinion practice groups.  Peter has also served as an adjunct professor at Franklin Pierce Law Center, has spoken at national conferences, published articles and been quoted in the press.

Peter received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University; a Masters in Business Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School of Management, and a Juris Doctor degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center. 

John Anastasi also had been a shareholder at Wolf Greenfield developing a substantial practice at the firm.  He was the chair of the firm’s Patent Practice Committee, which was responsible for setting firm policy on patent practice.  John has broad experience in all areas of intellectual property including patents for electrical, computer, business methods, and chemical and mechanical technologies, as well as in licensing, litigation, and trademark counseling.

John graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he received both a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, and a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.  He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School.

Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi

Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, LLP specializes in intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing and business transactions and related litigation.  Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, LL&A provides clients with the comprehensive protection they need to grow their business and protect the intellectual property assets of its company.