Global law firm Reed Smith has announced the addition of Joel T. Diamond as a partner in Boston. Diamond focuses on intellectual property-driven transactions for life sciences companies, including complex collaborations, licenses, and strategic partnerships across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
“Joel regularly serves as principal outside counsel for life sciences companies on their most consequential partnering matters. That level of trust speaks to the caliber of lawyer he is. His ability to structure intellectual property–driven transactions for cutting-edge therapeutics will be a real asset to our clients,” said Scot T. Hasselman, chair of Reed Smith’s global Life Sciences Health Industry Group.
Diamond represents start-up, emerging growth, and mature life sciences companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and health care IT industries, as well as venture capital funds and institutional investors.
His practice spans the entire company lifecycle, from formation through late-stage financing, and he frequently counsels clients on foundational platform and asset licenses, research and development collaborations, sponsored research agreements, clinical trial agreements, and manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements.
“When we opened our Boston office earlier this year, we identified life sciences as a strategic priority for this office and market, and Joel’s arrival delivers on that commitment. His licensing and technology transactions practice complements the existing transactional capabilities of the broader Reed Smith Platform and the full-service capabilities we are bringing to the market here in Boston,” said Ian Hohmeister, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Boston office.
Diamond has structured intellectual property transactions involving leading academic and research institutions, giving him a command of institutional licensing frameworks that allow him to move efficiently and achieve practical, value-creating outcomes for his clients.
His matters include multiple deals worth over $600 million each, including advising a biotechnology company on a strategic collaboration, option, and license agreement with a global pharmaceutical company for immuno-oncology antibodies, a life sciences company on an exclusive license and development partnership for a potentially best-in-class therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, and a therapeutics company on an alliance to accelerate Alzheimer’s treatments.
“I am excited to join Reed Smith and work alongside the talented team in Boston and across the firm. The firm’s full-service, global platform and collaborative culture create an ideal environment to expand client relationships and deliver results across practices. I also look forward to being part of the Boston office’s continued growth,” said Diamond.
Prior to joining Reed Smith, Diamond was a partner at Gunderson Dettmer. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S.E. in computer science from Princeton University.
Reed Smith has a full-spectrum competition practice with approximately 30 experienced antitrust attorneys in the United States, Europe and Asia. The group helps clients to minimise their competition and antitrust risk through proactive compliance, to keep their deals moving with effective merger control support, and defend them in investigations, litigation, and class actions.
