January 28, 2020 — Banner Witcoff elected eight new shareholders effective immediately. The new shareholders span the firm’s Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices, dedicated to protecting their clients’ intellectual property and propelling their business.
“We are proud to welcome these talented attorneys into the shareholder ranks,” said Chunhsi Andy Mu, Banner Witcoff’s president. “These accomplished attorneys have shown a deep commitment to Banner Witcoff and most importantly, to our clients. We have no doubt they will continue to contribute to the success of Banner Witcoff as we enter our 100th year and beyond.”
The new class of shareholders includes:
Robert Boyd (Chicago) focuses his practice on patent prosecution and counseling matters. He has experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and international patents, as well as counseling on such issues as freedom-to-practice, infringement, and validity. With over 20 years of product development experience ranging from consumer goods to military equipment, Robert leverages his background to understand his clients’ business needs and guide them through the patent prosecution process. He earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, a M.E. in mechanical engineering from University of Texas at Arlington, and a J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law.
Liz Brodzinski (Chicago) practices primarily in trademark, copyright, advertising, and new media matters. She counsels clients on worldwide brand management and has experience in U.S. and global trademark portfolio management, false and comparative advertising issues, and cybersquatting and online infringement matters. Liz is active in several industry associations, including as co-chair of the Trademark and Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago, and member of the Internet Committee of the International Trademark Association, the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP Working Group of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, and Chicago Women in IP. Liz is also a member of the firm’s trademark and diversity committees. She earned a B.S. in international business from Saint Louis University, and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Christopher Galfano (Chicago) focuses his practice on patent prosecution, patent counseling, and patent and trademark litigation matters. His prosecution experience is primarily in the biological and chemical sciences, and mechanical arts. He also has experience in procuring design patents and preparing freedom-to-practice opinions. In addition, Chris has participated in all aspects of and won multiple inter partes review (IPR) proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Chris earned his B.S. in biology from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Zachary Getzelman (Chicago) practices in all areas of intellectual property, including patent prosecution, patent and trademark litigation, and counseling. Zach has prosecuted and litigated utility and design patents in a variety of industries and technological areas such as semiconductor technology, electronics, medical devices, business methods, and software. Zach also has experience in representing plaintiffs and defendants in many phases of federal litigation, including pre-trial investigation, discovery, and motion practice. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and a B.A. in jazz performance from the University of Utah and his J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Kirk Sigmon (Washington, D.C.) counsels clients at all stages of invention, patent prosecution, intellectual property enforcement, and litigation. Kirk’s cases have involved a variety of technologies ranging from computer networking and video gaming to AI and toys. He has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in federal patent infringement trials, and he’s counseled Fortune 500 companies on patent portfolio management and IP enforcement. Active in the business community in D.C. and abroad, Kirk earned a B.A. in Japanese and English from Wake Forest University, a B.S. in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, a M.B.A. from Temple University, and a J.D. from the Cornell Law School.
Blair Silver (Washington, D.C.) has more than a decade of experience in complex intellectual property disputes and appellate matters. Blair has represented clients in a wide variety of high-stakes appellate matters before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and has been counsel of record in over 70 inter partes review and covered business method review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also provides strategic advice and counseling to clients preparing for trial and possible appeal. Blair earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Tufts University and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Jake Webb (Chicago) concentrates his practice in a variety of intellectual property areas, including patent and trademark litigation and patent prosecution. His litigation experience includes patent, trademark, trade dress, and other IP disputes. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants, and has experience with a variety of industries ranging from consumer and retail products to sporting goods and children’s educational materials.He also has deep knowledge in the mechanical arts fields, as well as with computer software, industrial equipment, athletic equipment and business methods. He earned a B.S. in civil engineering and M.B.A. from University of Kentucky, and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.
Eric Zelepugas (Chicago) focuses his practice on inter partes reviews (IPR), patent infringement litigations, and the global preparation and procurement of patents for a variety of clients, including Fortune 100 companies. Eric has been on several Banner Witcoff teams that have obtained successful outcomes in highly-publicized IPR proceedings, and previously served as co-chair of the firm’s Associates Committee. His past work experience includes an in-house position at a leading semiconductor manufacturing company in Hsinchu, Taiwan. He earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, and his J.D. and an intellectual property certificate from The John Marshall Law School.
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About Banner Witcoff
For 100 years, Banner Witcoff has been protecting IP and propelling business. Our team of seasoned litigators fiercely protects, enforces, and defends our clientele’s intellectual property and interests — all over the world. We pride ourselves on our vast knowledge of IP law, serving all its facets, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, and more.
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Media Contact:
Christopher Hummel
202.824.3126
chummel@bannerwitcoff.com
Posted: January 28, 2020
