Blank Rome Targets South Florida's Tech Boom with New IP Hires, Office

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – January 05, 2026 – In a significant strategic maneuver signaling a deeper investment in one of the nation's fastest-growing economic hubs, Am Law 100 firm Blank Rome LLP has recruited leading intellectual property partners Mark D. Passler and Ryan L. Harding. The duo, joining from rival firm Akerman LLP, will not only bolster the firm’s Intellectual Property & Technology practice but also establish its first physical presence in West Palm Beach, further cementing Blank Rome's footprint in South Florida.

A Calculated Gambit in a High-Growth Corridor

Blank Rome's expansion is far from a speculative venture; it is a calculated response to the pronounced economic and technological transformation of South Florida. The firm's leadership has explicitly identified the region, and West Palm Beach in particular, as a critical market for its clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark and Ryan to Blank Rome and our leading Intellectual Property & Technology practice,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner. Palmer framed the move as part of the firm's broader strategy, stating, “We are also excited to further expand Blank Rome’s presence in South Florida, a key market for our clients and part of our ongoing efforts to strategically expand our capabilities where our clients need us most, especially in vibrant markets like West Palm Beach, which continues to grow as a center for finance, innovation, and economic development.”

This expansion is consistent with Blank Rome's recent pattern of aggressive, targeted growth into dynamic business communities. The firm notably opened a Dallas office in July 2023 by assembling a team of prominent local attorneys, a strategy it is now replicating in Florida. By planting a flag in West Palm Beach, the firm is positioning itself at the heart of a corridor that has attracted a significant influx of wealth management firms, technology startups, and corporate headquarters, creating a surge in demand for sophisticated legal services.

The Battle for Brainpower and Market Share

The recruitment of Passler and Harding represents a major win in the legal industry's intense “battle for brainpower.” Lateral moves of this caliber, involving partners with deep client books and recognized expertise, can reshape the competitive dynamics of a regional market. Mark D. Passler is a particularly notable acquisition, having previously served as a co-chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Akerman and holding consistent rankings in the prestigious Chambers USA guide for his IP work from 2020 to 2025. His departure, along with the highly regarded Ryan L. Harding, signals a significant shift of talent from Akerman to Blank Rome.

For the partners, the move was driven by the search for a platform that could support the complexity and scope of their practice. “We sought a firm with offices in key markets, an intellectual property team with a deep bench, and a collaborative culture—and we identified all of those qualities at Blank Rome,” said Passler. He added, “Ryan and I are thrilled to work alongside such a talented team of attorneys who are deeply committed to helping clients develop, protect, and strategically leverage their intellectual property.”

Ryan Harding echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the firm’s offerings. “We were drawn to Blank Rome because of its dynamic platform, which will allow us to better serve our clients and continue to grow our practices in meaningful ways,” Harding stated. “The firm’s extensive complement of practices and industry teams allows us to provide comprehensive services for our clients.” This access to integrated support in areas like corporate, tax, and real estate law is a powerful draw for partners whose clients require multifaceted legal solutions beyond pure IP prosecution or litigation.

IP Guardians for a Burgeoning Innovation Ecosystem

The specific expertise that Passler and Harding bring to Blank Rome is a near-perfect mirror of South Florida's evolving economic landscape. Their combined experience covers the bedrock of the modern innovation economy, including artificial intelligence, data management, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. This technical knowledge is critical in a region that has become a magnet for biotech firms, fintech startups, and data-centric enterprises.

David M. Perry, co-chair of Blank Rome’s Intellectual Property & Technology group, highlighted the strategic fit. “Mark and Ryan’s extensive experience across patent, trademark, and copyright law enables them to offer tailored IP solutions for a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals," he noted. "Their collaborative approach ensures our clients benefit from both comprehensive protection and strategic maximization of their IP assets.”

Beyond technology, the partners also possess significant experience in brand management and entertainment law, another thriving sector in South Florida. Their work includes negotiating complex agreements for artists, songwriters, and production companies with major record labels, television networks, and motion picture studios. This dual expertise in both hard tech and creative industries allows them to service the full spectrum of innovators, from engineers developing new medical devices to artists creating digital content, all of whom require robust IP protection to thrive.

Upping the Ante in a Competitive Legal Market

Blank Rome’s arrival in West Palm Beach does not occur in a vacuum. The firm enters a competitive legal market where established players like Greenberg Traurig, Fox Rothschild, Shutts & Bowen, and Gunster already have significant intellectual property practices. However, by launching its presence with two high-profile, established partners rather than starting from scratch, Blank Rome is making an immediate and assertive play for market share.

The move provides the firm with an instant foothold and the credibility needed to compete for the most complex and lucrative IP work in the region. The combination of Passler and Harding’s local knowledge and client relationships with Blank Rome’s national and international platform creates a formidable new competitor. This intensifies the pressure on existing firms to retain talent and demonstrate their own value proposition in a market that is increasingly demanding specialized, cross-disciplinary legal counsel.

As companies continue to migrate and expand in South Florida, the demand for elite legal counsel to protect their most valuable assets—their ideas and innovations—will only grow. By strategically placing top-tier talent on the ground, Blank Rome is not just following its clients; it is anticipating the future needs of one of America's most dynamic economic regions. Harding's view of the firm's capabilities underscores this ambition: “I’m excited to be part of a team that not only excels in intellectual property law but also offers exceptional capabilities in corporate, tax, real estate, commercial litigation, and employment law, making Blank Rome a truly outstanding place to serve our clients and deliver the results they need.”