PHILADELPHIA (June 2023) – It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and one of our founding partners, Al Nadel, who passed away on June 13, 2023. Most recently, Al served as Partner Emeritus to the firm. He was 74.
“Al was a respected leader in the intellectual property community and a beloved part of our firm,” said partner John Simmons. “A dear friend and colleague to me and many others, Al was passionate about intellectual property law, a tireless advocate for his clients, and an inspiration who helped pave the way for our firm’s growth and success over the years.”
Al was one of the original founding partners of the firm that is now Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel. The firm traces its roots to the former Panitch Schwarze Jacobs & Nadel, founded in 1983 in Philadelphia as an intellectual property boutique law firm. That firm merged into Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in 1999 and then was amicably spun back out nine years later. Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel officially launched on Jan. 1, 2008.
“Many of us worked with Al for decades and got to know him as a lawyer and a friend,” said partner Martin Belisario. “He had an exuberance for work and personal life that was unmatched. I don’t think I ever saw Al on a down day in my life, and I saw him practically every day. He built a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding patent attorney and was well respected by the Philadelphia IP community, where he was very active. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Al focused his practice on patent matters involving bioscience, chemical and mechanical inventions, including patent preparation, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. His biotechnology patent work included preparing and prosecuting domestic and foreign patent applications relating to human, animal, plant, microbial and biopesticidal genes and proteins, as well as DNA- and peptide-derived products and methods of treatment. His clients included corporations of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, domestic and foreign academic and research institutions, and individual physicians and other researchers.
Al served as president (2001-2002), president-elect (2000-2001), vice president (1999-2000), treasurer (1997-1999), and a member of the board of governors (1995-1997) of the Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association. He also chaired its Federal Practice and Procedures Committee for several years. In addition, he is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Intellectual Property Law Section of the American Bar Association, and the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Al received his B.S. in chemistry from The George Washington University and his J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School. For several years, he was a vice-president and member of the board of directors of The George Washington University Alumni Association, and he served on the National Council of Arts and Sciences, which advises the dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences of The George Washington University. Al also served as president of Congregation Adath Jeshurun, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2002.
Al lived in Wyncote and enjoyed skiing, traveling the world, and enjoying retired life. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Smith Nadel, children Russell (Tara) Nadel and Fran Nadel, grandchildren Ari and Milo, and numerous brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. For information on services, click here for his full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/inquirer/name/alan-nadel-obituary?id=52233662