HG Law Announces 2026 Counsel Promotions

HG Law (HG) is pleased to announce the promotion of four Associates to Counsel, effective January 1, 2026: Anthony Boiano and Thomas P. Trainor in New York along with Jennifer Galela and William J. Ulrich in San Jose. These promotions celebrate their proven track records, technical depth, and exemplification of the client-focused, collaborative values at the heart of HG’s success.

Anthony Boiano

An electrical engineer by training, Anthony started his IP career at Ropes & Gray as a Technical advisor and joined the founding team at HG where he advanced from Patent Agent, to Associate, and now Counsel. Anthony’s engineering background gives him an instinct for how technology works in the real world, and his early exposure to licensing, acquisitions, and IPRs means he doesn’t just draft strong patents, he drafts patents with an eye toward how they’ll be monetized or defended years down the road.

“Anthony has been part of HG’s story from the very beginning,” says Partner Alexander Shvarts. “We’ve watched him grow from a Patent Agent into someone who brings a complete view of the patent lifecycle to every portfolio he builds. His promotion to Counsel recognizes both his excellent work product and the leadership role he plays in mentoring our team and defining our culture.”

What sets Anthony’s practice apart is his refusal to follow a one-size-fits-all approach; the best patent strategies evolve from understanding each client’s end goals first. Whether working with a startup protecting its first innovations or an established company managing a mature portfolio, Anthony starts by asking where the business needs to go, then builds IP strategies to get there. As Counsel, he will continue this client-centered approach while expanding his role in developing HG’s next generation of patent professionals. Anthony received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and an M.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering from Cornell University. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

Jennifer Galela

Jennifer Galela’s background, spanning organic electronics research, display technology development, and process engineering, gives her an unusually sophisticated understanding of how innovations move from laboratory concepts to commercial products.

“Jen joined HG in 2022 and has quickly become indispensable to our practice,” says Partner Joseph McPartland. “With her Ph.D. from MIT and hands-on industry experience, she brings a level of technical sophistication that’s remarkable even in our highly technical practice. She doesn’t seek the spotlight, but her work speaks volumes, and clients consistently praise her thoroughness and the quality of her patent applications. Her promotion to Counsel recognizes how her technical foundation translates into real value for clients.”

Jen’s passion for technology and understanding of how innovations become products allows her to capture the true scope of clients’ breakthroughs while remaining grounded in technical reality. As Counsel, she will continue building comprehensive patent portfolios for clients working at the forefront of innovation. Jen received B.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of law.

Thomas P. Trainor

An electrical engineer by training, Tom has developed a practice centered on patent application preparation and prosecution, with particular expertise in navigating complex subject matter eligibility issues before the USPTO. His engineering curiosity drives his attention to technical detail whether drafting applications or responding to office actions.

“Tom has been a steady, reliable force on our teams,” says Partner Joseph McPartland. “Clients appreciate his technical knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail. Beyond his excellent work product, Tom plays an important role in our training committee and in mentoring junior team members. His promotion to Counsel recognizes both the quality of his work and his contributions to building our HG culture.”

Tom’s technological curiosity and commitment to understanding the technical details at every stage, from preparing application drafts through prosecuting applications to allowance translates into comprehensive patent protection for clients. As Counsel, he will continue delivering high-quality prosecution work while expanding his role in training and developing HG’s next generation of patent professionals. Tom received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University and his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law.

William J. Ulrich

Will joined HG in 2019 and has built a practice defined by analytical rigor and competitive drive. This perspective allows him to anticipate litigation considerations during prosecution and leverage prosecution insights during disputes, creating comprehensive IP strategies that serve clients throughout the patent lifecycle.

“Will exemplifies what we value at HG,” says Partner Greg Lundell. “His work closely aligns with the client’s business objective. He intuitively understands that it’s not enough for a company to just have patents, a company needs to know why it has those patents and act accordingly. Will has seen the breadth of how patents can be used and is putting that expertise to work. His promotion to Counsel recognizes the comprehensive value he brings to every matter.”

Will knows how to inspire and lead a team. He constantly encourages those around him and inspires great work. As Counsel, he will continue delivering the value his clients have come to expect. Will received a B.S. in Physics from Pacific University. He received his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.