District-based Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox, the 110-attorney Washington intellectual property law firm, has started a first-of-its-kind practice that combines the tenets of human rights and intellectual property law…the pro bono practice aims to use patent and copyright laws to help indigenous groups in developing countries protect and leverage their right to native or regional intellectual property — such as medicinal plants, artwork and designs — that often get co-opted, patented and sold by multinational corporations, including pharmaceutical companies...The practice group is in its infancy, but at least 35 attorneys are expressing interest in participating, Goldstein said.