Continuing to expand its intellectual property litigation and transactional practice, Leonard, Street and Deinard has recently added three new attorneys: Sharna Wahlgren, shareholder; Katherine Moerke, of counsel; and Laurie Glapa, associate.

Sharna Wahlgren has joined the firm as a shareholder in the firm's litigation practice. With nearly 20 years of experience representing clients in state and federal courts across the country, Wahlgren focuses her practice in the areas of patent and trademark infringement, general commercial litigation, and franchise litigation on behalf of franchisors. She has handled patent infringement matters involving a wide array of technologies, including gemstone enhancement, chemical compounds, computer software, medical devices, commercial refrigeration systems, snowmobile equipment, automotive maintenance equipment, adhesives, consumer products and a variety of other mechanical devices.

Wahlgren is a member of both the Forum on Franchising and the Intellectual Property sections of the American Bar Association and recently served as chair of the Litigation Section's Model Trademark Jury Instructions project. She is an active member of the Minnesota chapter of the Federal Bar Association, where she has served many years on its Seminar Committee, currently co-chairs the Intellectual Property Section and is a member of the Markman Study Group. She is also on the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association's board of directors, serves as chair of the Programs Committee and is a member of its Women in Intellectual Property Law group. Wahlgren has also been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America.

Wahlgren received her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she was managing editor of the Minnesota Journal of Global Trade. While attending law school, she served as an extern to the Honorable Doris Ohlsen Huspeni of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She is admitted to practice in Minnesota, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. She is also admitted pro hac vice in various U.S. district courts.

Katherine (Katie) Moerke practices in the areas of intellectual property litigation, including patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret, as well as business and commercial litigation, including contract disputes and business torts. She has represented clients and litigated numerous complex cases in federal court in Minnesota as well as in federal courts throughout the country. Her patent cases have involved various technologies, including the Internet, digital communications, software, medical devices, plastic composites, and consumer goods.

She earned her law degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she also served as editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Law Review. After law school, Moerke clerked from 2001 to 2003 for the Honorable James M. Rosenbaum, then Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. She is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Minnesota. She also is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Laurie Glapa joins the firm as an associate, focusing on technology transfers and intellectual property licensing. She also practices in intellectual property litigation, helping clients enforce their intellectual property rights and defending them against claims brought by others.

Prior to law school, Glapa worked as a macroeconomics research assistant for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She earned her law degree, with high distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she served as chair of the Moot Court Board.

"The addition of Sharna, Katie and Laurie further expands the depth of experience and service we provide to our clients with intellectual property challenges that are national in scope," said Kevin Conneely, attorney and chair of the firm's intellectual property practice. "In particular, Sharna has a stellar reputation as an intellectual property litigator, and we are delighted that clients will benefit from her unique experience and leadership."