Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox announced today that Byron L. Pickard will serve as the firm’s new Managing Director. He succeeds Michael B. Ray, who has served as Managing Director of the firm since 2007 and will now assume the role of firm Chair.

Pickard, who has served on the firm’s Executive Committee for the last six years, will work closely with Ray and firm leadership on strategic initiatives to further strengthen Sterne Kessler’s market position as a leading intellectual property law firm. As Managing Director, Pickard will focus on aligning strategic priorities with the needs of the firm’s clients, attracting and retaining top talent, and building on the success of the firm’s comprehensive IP platform, spanning sophisticated patent prosecution; inter partes review, post-grant review, and reexamination matters before the USPTO; and complex dispute resolution in federal courts and the International Trade Commission.

In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Pickard will continue practicing in Sterne Kessler’s Trial and Appellate Group, as a first-chair trial lawyer representing clients in district court litigation, appeals before the Federal Circuit, and inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust my fellow directors have placed in me to take on the role of Managing Director,” said Pickard. “I am fortunate to continue working closely with our Executive Committee and Chair to strategically grow the firm across key areas of IP. Mike has done an outstanding job as Managing Director, and my goal is to carry that momentum forward as we guide the firm into its next chapter. We will continue to invest in strategic hiring and technology-driven initiatives, including the firm’s industry-leading use of AI, while also expanding our work in high-tech and life sciences where Sterne Kessler has long excelled. Our firm’s success has always been rooted in collaboration and client service, and I’m committed to fostering the unique culture that makes this firm special.”

During Ray’s tenure as Managing Director, the firm has experienced remarkable growth, more than doubling in size to over 200 attorneys and patent agents and more than 450 total employees. Under his leadership, the firm expanded its client base across key technology sectors and legal practice areas to be one of the most highly regarded IP law firms in the country. Ray has also been a champion for innovation in the practice of law, including the strategic use of technology and the development of a state-of-the-art office environment that reflects the firm’s forward-thinking culture.

“As I transition to the role of Chair, I’m excited to work with Byron on important initiatives that will guide the firm into the future. We will remain committed to what we do best, practicing at the intersection of intellectual property, science, and technology,” said Ray. “Byron is an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of Sterne Kessler’s culture, clients, and people. Having spent the majority of his career here, he brings invaluable institutional knowledge and a forward-looking vision for the firm. His collaborative leadership style, the trust he has earned across the firm, and his ability to translate strategy into action will build on our strong foundation and drive continued innovation and growth.”

Pickard joined Sterne Kessler as an associate in 2008 and was promoted to director in 2012. He was formerly head of the Trial and Appellate Group. Pickard earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. in economics from the University of Virginia.

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Based in Washington, D.C. and renowned for more than four decades for dedication to the protection, enhancement, and enforcement of intellectual property rights, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. Its team of attorneys, registered patent agents, technical specialists, specialized trademark paralegals, and law clerks include some of the country’s most respected practitioners of IP law, tackling innovations across a broad spectrum of industries. The firm’s practitioners represent Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups, inventors, venture capital firms, and universities in a client service-driven environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating. Visit the firm online at sternekessler.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260105411553/en/