Category: PRESS
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:
Bethany Krajelis
312.463.5562
bkrajelis@bannerwitcoff.com
Category: PRESS
Six attorneys and a technical specialist have joined Banner Witcoff from other firms since late April, highlighting the ongoing growth of the nationally recognized intellectual property law firm.
Manav Das, Ph.D., Ben Holt, Wesley W. Jones, Robert W. Molitors, John Whelan, and Brent K. Whitlock, Ph.D., are the latest attorney additions to Banner Witcoff, which also recently welcomed Venkatram Pepakayala, Ph.D., as a technical specialist. They focus on a variety of intellectual property matters, including post-grant proceedings, appellate matters, licensing, preparation, and patent prosecution, as well as client counseling across a wide range of technologies.
“We are thrilled that Manav, Ben, Wes, Bob, Brent, John, and Venkatram have joined our growing team,” Banner Witcoff President Andy Mu said. “They each bring valuable and unique skills to the firm. Their depth of experience is going to benefit our clients, and strengthen our already highly-regarded patent practice.”
He added, “We’re proud of the growth we have experienced in the past few years, both in terms of attorneys and the services we offer clients. We have added 11 attorneys this year for a total of 17 since August 2018, and expect the growth to continue.”
Manav Das joined Banner Witcoff’s Chicago office as of counsel on May 6. He comes to the firm from global software company Micro Focus International PLC and previously worked as patent counsel at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, and practiced at Middleton Reutlinger in Louisville. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi and a doctoral degree in mathematics from The Ohio State University. He earned his law degree from University of Louisville.
Ben Holt joined the firm as of counsel in Washington, D.C., on April 29. He previously practiced at Stoel Rives LLP in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in Walnut Creek, Calif. He has two bachelor’s degrees — one in computer engineering and the other in electrical engineering — from University of Utah, and earned his law degree and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Ben also has experience working in the industry, handling real-time programming and wireless communications for a supplier of precision machining and electronic manufacturing services.
Wes Jones joined Banner Witcoff as of counsel in the Washington, D.C., office on April 22. He comes to the firm from Kacvinsky Daisak Bluni PLLC and previously practiced at Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, which eventually became part of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. While at Kenyon & Kenyon, Wes worked with John Hutchins and Shawn O’Dowd who joined Banner Witcoff in June 2018 and April 2019, respectively. Wes earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from University of Virginia, and his law degree from University of Virginia School of Law.
Bob Molitors joined the firm as of counsel in Washington, D.C., on May 21. He previously practiced at Miles & Stockbridge P.C. Bob has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from Northeastern University. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School.
Venkatram Pepakayala joined the firm in Chicago as a technical specialist on April 29. He previously worked at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Venkatram has a bachelor’s degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering from Nagpur University. He earned a master’s and a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from University of Michigan.
John Whelan joined Banner Witcoff’s Chicago office as an attorney on June 19. He previously practiced at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C. John has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He earned his law degree from the University of Iowa.
Brent Whitlock joined Banner Witcoff’s Chicago office as an attorney on May 1. He comes to the firm from Silicon Valley-based Invoke IP P.C. Brent previously worked as a patent attorney at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner P.A. and Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, and as a patent agent at Silicon Valley-based Carr & Ferrell LLP. While at Drinker Biddle & Reath, Brent worked with Venkatram Pepakayala who also recently joined Banner Witcoff. Prior to his legal career, Brent was a principal and director of optical systems at startup company RSoft Design Group Inc. (now part of Synopsys Inc.), where he spearheaded the development of RSoft’s suite of optical communication system simulation tools based on his doctoral research. Brent earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Category: PRESS
Banner Witcoff has selected four law students as the 2019 recipients of the Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship. Created by the firm to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the field of intellectual property law, the fellowship provides recipients with $5,000 for law school tuition or other school-related expenses.
The 2019 recipients are:
- Robert Chou, a second-year law student at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from University of Texas.
- Rebecca Ding, a second-year law student at The George Washington University Law School. She graduated from Peking University with a degree in electric engineering and computer science.
- Emily M. Ross, a first-year law student at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in general engineering from Harvey Mudd College.
- Alessandra Schaszberger, a first-year law student at American University Washington College of Law. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biomedical engineering.
All four will participate in the firm’s upcoming summer associate program. Robert and Emily will be based in Banner Witcoff’s Chicago office, and Rebecca and Alessandra will work in the Washington, D.C., office.
“We are honored to reward these four outstanding law students for their contributions and commitment to the field of intellectual property law. We are equally honored they expressed an interest in joining our team,” Banner Witcoff President Andy Mu said. “We look forward to watching their careers and continuing our dedication to diversity through The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship.”
The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship is open to law students who identify as members of a historically underrepresented group in intellectual property law and meet certain criteria, including academic merit, a commitment to the pursuit of a career in the field, and demonstrated leadership qualities.
Donald W. Banner (1924-2006) — the namesake of the fellowship and firm — was a leader in the field of patent law. A former U.S. Commissioner ofPatents and Trademarks, he was chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, a founding member of the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, president of the International Patent and Trademark Association, co-founder and president of the Intellectual Property Owners Association and director of The John Marshall Law School Center for Intellectual Property Law.
Category: PRESS
Shawn W. O’Dowd has joined Banner Witcoff as of counsel in Washington, D.C., adding nearly three decades of patent prosecution, counseling, and litigation experience to the nationally recognized intellectual property law firm.
Shawn is the latest of counsel addition to Banner Witcoff, which also welcomed four lateral associates during the first quarter of 2019. He comes to the firm from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, following the June 2018 addition of first-chair patent litigation attorney John R. Hutchins. Both Shawn and John were partners in the D.C. office of Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, which eventually became part of Hunton Andrews Kurth.
“Shawn is highly respected in the industry and brings a range of experience that will add depth to our patent practice,” said Banner Witcoff President Andy Mu. “He is an outstanding addition to our continuously growing firm and we are fortunate to have him.”
Recognized as a leading patent professional by Intellectual Asset Management magazine in 2018, Shawn focuses his practice on patent prosecution involving electrical and computer technologies, client counseling, inter partes reviews, and other patent matters. He has extensive experience before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and has represented high-profile clients in the transportation, automotive, construction, energy, and financial services industries.
“Banner Witcoff has a reputation as a top IP firm and is a great fit for my skill set,” Shawn said. “I am thrilled to be joining a firm that has been serving clients in this space for nearly a century.”
Earlier in his career, Shawn worked as a systems engineer intern on the TRIDENT submarine’s command and control system, and was a research assistant in IBM’s intellectual property law department. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School, and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The four associates who have joined Banner Witcoff so far this year are Sunita Adluri, Jihan Joo and Christian LaForgia in Washington, D.C., and Kerry Creeron in Chicago. Sunita and Jihan came to the firm as associates from Sughrue Mion PLLC; Christian as IP counsel from Wickr; and Kerry as an associate from Lee Sullivan Shea & Smith LLP.
Category: PRESS
Contact:
Amanda Ferrari
440-465-6162
aferrari@hellermanllc.com
Banner Witcoff Celebrates 16 Consecutive Years of Record-Breaking Design Patents
CHICAGO – March 8, 2019 – For the last 16 years, Banner Witcoff has obtained more U.S. design patents than any other firm in the country. Moreover, the firm has procured 8,465 design patents in the past ten years, which is more than twice the number of its closest competitor.
“It is one of Banner Witcoff’s main priorities to protect our clients’ products and designs, and we have been proudly doing just that in record breaking numbers for the past 16 years,” said principal shareholder Robert S. Katz.
The firm prosecutes and enforces design patents in the U.S. and abroad, and has 22 design team specialists supporting its attorneys in this work.
Banner Witcoff continues to lead in procuring design patent portfolios. In addition to direct design filings around the world, the firm has filed hundreds of design registrations in the World Intellectual Property Office.
Banner Witcoff is working on rolling out its new brand with tagline “protecting IP, propelling business,” and the firm’s new website is expected to launch this summer with a strategic design patent focus.
About Banner Witcoff
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 110 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner Witcoff provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys are known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex patent applications, as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries.
Category: PRESS
Contact:
Amanda Ferrari
440-465-6162
aferrari@hellermanllc.com
Banner & Witcoff Elects President Mu & New Shareholder Class
CHICAGO – January 30, 2019 – Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., today announced the election of firm president Chunhsi Andy Mu and 13 new shareholders, a group of attorneys who advise on all matters of intellectual property law and are dedicated to assisting their clients in protecting their work and ideas.
Speaking about his recent election to President, Andy Mu said, “I’m honored to take on this new role at Banner & Witcoff, a firm I have been involved with since starting as a summer associate in 2003 and have proudly served on the Board of Directors of for the past four years, and I look forward to representing the firm and my colleagues in this competitive space.”
“After collaborating with Andy for nearly a decade, I deeply appreciate his invaluable expertise and counsel in protecting ZTE’s intellectual property rights. I have tremendous respect for him, and trust that his leadership and perspective will be strong assets to Banner & Witcoff,” stated Qin Wang, Senior IP Counsel for ZTE Corporation.
The firm is proud to have this talent, and congratulates the following newly elected class.
Chunhsi Andy Mu, President, Washington, DC: Mr. Mu specializes in portfolio management, client counseling and post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and prosecution in a broad range of technical fields, including Internet, consumer electronics, e-commerce, business methods, telecommunications, sensors and other mechanical devices, and computer software. In addition to prosecuting patent applications, he has extensive experience formulating freedom to operate, clearance, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and counseling clients on all aspects of IP procurement, management, and enforcement strategy. Mr. Mu’s practice also includes assisting clients in design patent protection. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Mu served in the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s (NIST’s) Intelligent Systems and Advanced Network Technologies Divisions. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with honors, and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, where he was a member of the Mock Trial Board.
Eric Hamp, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Mr. Hamp’s practice spans many areas of intellectual property law, where his primary area of expertise is in the litigation and enforcement of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret rights. Eric also prepares and prosecutes utility and design patent applications in a variety of technological fields, and assists clients in obtaining trademark and copyright rights. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Hamp worked in the chemical industry at Ecolab Inc. and Stepan Company. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Northwestern University School of Law.
John Hutchins, Principal Shareholder, Washington, DC: Mr. Hutchins is a first-chair patent litigation attorney, who handles litigation in federal district court and the International Trade Commission, appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and aids in client counseling, license drafting and negotiations, and patent post-grant proceedings. He has represented clients in cases involving consumer electronics, automotive components, medical devices, paper making processes and chemicals, inks, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and toys and children’s products. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Hutchins was a partner at Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, which eventually became Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1995, and his B.S.E., summa cum laude, in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1992.
Sean Jungels, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Mr. Jungels’ practice comprises all areas of intellectual property, with a focus on patent and trademark litigation and the procurement and enforcement of design patents. He has experience in representing plaintiffs and defendants in many phases of federal litigation, including pre-trial investigation, discovery, motion practice, and pre-trial efforts. He also provides assistance to clients concerning design patents. Mr. Jungels’ experience in this field includes the prosecution and enforcement of design patents, both nationally and internationally. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Illinois since 2016, and graduated Order of the Coif and earned his J.D. degree with high honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Kevin Keenan, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Mr. Keenan is active in a variety of areas within intellectual property law, with particular emphasis in patent prosecution, patent litigation, portfolio management, and counseling. He has experience prosecuting and litigating utility and design patents in a variety of industries and technological areas, including athletic and recreational equipment, consumer products, construction machinery, manufacturing systems, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, control systems, electrical connectors, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and engines. Mr. Keenan also has significant post-grant proceedings experience, including inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Keenan gained valuable experience as an associate at an international intellectual property law firm, where he focused on all aspects of intellectual property law. He earned a B.S. in Engineering, magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, and his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2007, where he was a member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review.
Scott Kelly, Principal Shareholder, Washington, DC: Mr. Kelly represents clients throughout the life of an invention, from the birth of an idea through procuring a patent and enforcing it to protect key technologies and business interests. His practice is focused on intellectual property issues relating to a wide range of computer software, networking, and business methods. He has worked with technologies, including user interfaces, gesture-based input, mobile devices, cloud computing, algorithms, virtual and augmented reality, network routing, interactive television program guides, and video games. In addition to preparing and prosecuting patent applications, Mr. Kelly counsels clients regarding validity, infringement, and other issues presented by asserted patents or potential acquisitions. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Kelly was an Examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received a B.S. with honors from Virginia Tech, where he majored in Computer Science with minors in Physics and Mathematics, and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia Journal of Law and Technology.
Anna King, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Ms. King concentrates her practice on trademark, domain name, and copyright prosecution and counseling matters. She manages worldwide portfolios and has extensive experience in prosecution and registration of applications, licensing, enforcement, oppositions, and cancellations, as well as counseling clients in protecting their international portfolios. She serves as a board member and Chair of the Trademark Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC), and is an active member of the Harmonization of Trademark Law and Practice Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Trademark Relations with the USPTO Committee of American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). Ms. King was awarded her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington and her B.A. in Anthropology, cum laude, from Connecticut College.
Justin Philpott, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Mr. Philpott’s practice includes patent prosecution, litigation, post-issuance review, diligence, transactions, and opinion counseling. Mr. Philpott serves as co-chair of the firm’s PTAB Litigation Committee. During his more than 16-year career in intellectual property law, he has examined, drafted, prosecuted, acquired, licensed, and litigated countless patents. Mr. Philpott regularly merges technical and legal analyses in complex electrical and computer arts, such as LTE and 5G wireless communications, MPEG video compression, and HDTV coding and transmission. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Philpott counseled clients for 10 years in the IP group of a global general practice law firm, preceded by more than four years as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office where he examined patent applications in various communications technology. He earned his B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with high honors, from Rutgers University, and his J.D. from Georgetown University.
Victoria Webb, Principal Shareholder, Chicago: Ms. Webb works with clients to strategically and creatively obtain, enforce, and leverage a broad range of intellectual property rights. Her practice focuses on the litigation and resolution of patent, trademark, trade dress, and other intellectual property disputes in an extensive range of fields, including, e.g., medical devices, consumer and retail products, sporting equipment, apparel and footwear, lifestyle and outdoor products, electrical, plumbing, and publishing. Her experience also includes transactional, counseling, and opinion work on intellectual property issues, and the preparation and prosecution of patents. Ms. Webb graduated from Marquette University with honors, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Spanish, and graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Iowa College of Law.
John Curry, Shareholder, Washington, DC: Mr. Curry focuses on post-grant matters, and on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His technological expertise covers a variety of areas, including electrical engineering, communications, biomedical devices, computer science, business methods, financial software, optics, imaging, signal processing, wireless technologies, and instrumentation design and control. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Curry worked as an attorney at a Washington, DC-based patent law firm and as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He earned his B.S. in electrical engineering and J.D. from The George Washington University.
Joshua Davenport, Shareholder, Washington, DC: Mr. Davenport was recognized by Managing Intellectual Property as one of the top 50 most active attorneys for inter partes review petitions in 2017. He represents clients in a variety of intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution, litigation, and counseling, leveraging his experience as a former telecom engineer. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, cum laude, from the University of Alabama, and a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he made the national finals in the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition and was inducted into the Order of Barristers.
Bennett Ingvoldstad, Shareholder, Chicago: Mr. Ingvoldstad focuses his practice primarily on patent prosecution, counseling, and post-grant proceedings across a wide variety of technical fields within the computer and electrical arts. Mr. Ingvoldstad draws on his experience as a former Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and as intellectual property counsel for a Silicon Valley corporation to provide well-rounded perspective to his clients. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and his J.D. from Georgetown University.
Camille Sauer, Shareholder, Washington, DC: Ms. Sauer represents clients in all facets of technology protection and commercialization, focusing on patent procurement, patent litigation, and post-grant proceedings. Her practice encompasses a wide range of technologies, including mechanical and electrical devices, consumer products, design patents, renewable energy technology, aerospace systems, medical devices and business methods. Ms. Sauer also has experience in researching and analyzing legal and technical issues, and preparing freedom to operate, non-infringement and invalidity opinions. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and earned her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law with a certificate in Intellectual Property.
Pei Wu, Ph.D., Shareholder, Boston: Dr. Wu provides assistance to her clients in intellectual property protection, including utility and design patent and trademark prosecution, strategic intellectual property portfolio development, licensing, and counseling in the fields of biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Her intellectual property practice includes complex technologies spanning genes, proteins, enzymes, recombinant antibodies, microorganisms, medical diagnostics, blood products, cell matrices, tissue engineering, dietary and food supplements, cancer treatments, gene therapy, drug discovery and formulation, epigenetics, biopolymer, vaccine, and genomics. Dr. Wu received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and her Graduate Certificate in Management from Harvard Extension School. She received her Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of Florida, where she was a recipient of the Graduate Research and Medical Guilds Research competition awards. She obtained her B.S. in Biochemistry from Wuhan University in China.
About Banner & Witcoff: A national intellectual property law firm with more than 110 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys are known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex patent applications, as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries.
Category: PRESS
Banner Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm that procures, enforces and litigates intellectual property rights throughout the world, welcomed two new associates and a technical specialist in the second half of 2018.
Deji Akanbi, Technical Specialist, Washington, D.C., focuses his practice on the preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign patents in the fields of telecommunications, signal processing, optics and photonics, electronic circuits and systems, computer networks, sensor devices and networks, and power systems. He has worked on the prosecution of patents involving complex engineering technologies.
Prior to joining Banner Witcoff, Deji was a technology advisor at an intellectual property law firm. Prior to entering the legal industry, he worked as an engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, Halliburton and Hewlett Packard.
He earned both his B.Sc., summa cum laude, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Brian T. Apel, Associate, Chicago, focuses on patent litigation. He has experience in all stages of litigation: pre-suit diligence including opinion work, fact and expert discovery including non-dispositive motion practice, preliminary injunctions, claim construction, damages, summary judgment, trials, and appeals. He also has experience in litigation-related post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in alternative dispute resolution.
Prior to joining Banner Witcoff, Brian worked for a national intellectual-property law firm and clerked for a federal district judge in Minnesota. Prior to law school, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, specializing in the operation, maintenance, and repair of shipboard propulsion, electrical, and nuclear systems.
He earned his B.A. in chemistry, specializing in organic synthesis and catalysis. He earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
Anthony J. Denis, Associate, Chicago, focuses his practice on patent and trademark litigation. He has experience in technologies such as sporting goods, mechanical devices, cleaning products, and consumer goods.
Prior to joining Banner Witcoff, Anthony served as a Managing Editor of the Indiana Law Journal at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Anthony also served in the Maurer School of Law’s Intellectual Property Clinic, engaging directly with clients and gaining experience in a range of intellectual property areas.
He earned his B.S. in chemistry, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University. He earned his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
About Banner Witcoff, Ltd.
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 110 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner Witcoff provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys have the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex intellectual property applications, as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries. For more information, visit http://www.bannerwitcoff.com/.
Please direct all media inquiries to Amanda Robert at (312) 463-5465 or arobert@bannerwitcoff.com.
Category: PRESS
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm that procures, enforces and litigates intellectual property rights throughout the world, welcomes Blair A. Silver as an Of Counsel attorney in its Washington, D.C. office to bolster its appellate, Patent Trial and Appeal Board and general litigation practices.
Blair A. Silver brings more than a decade of legal experience in complex, high-tech intellectual property disputes and related appellate matters, having practiced before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, federal district courts, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and International Trade Commission.
Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Mr. Silver practiced IP and appellate litigation at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as well as at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Mr. Silver also served as a law clerk for Judge Alan D. Lourie on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2008, and his B.S., magna cum laude, in electrical engineering from Tufts University in 2005, where he is a member of both Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu.
About Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 100 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys are known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex patent applications as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries. For more information, please visit http://www.bannerwitcoff.com.
Please direct all media inquiries to Amanda Robert at (312) 463-5465 or arobert@bannerwitcoff.com.
Category: PRESS
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm that procures, enforces and litigates intellectual property rights throughout the world, welcomed five new associates in the first half of 2018.
Liz Brodzinski, Chicago, focuses her practice on trademark, copyright and new media matters. She has experience in U.S. and global trademark portfolio management, including clearance, prosecution and enforcement. She is also experienced in dealing with cybersquatting and online infringement matters, including preparing successful social media takedowns, achieving transfer of infringing domain names pursuant to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy and participating in disputes involving the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act.
She earned her B.S., magna cum laude, in International Business and International Studies and minor in Spanish from Saint Louis University. She earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Derek Donahoe, Boston, focuses his practice on preparing and prosecuting patent applications, and providing strategic advice on the management of both United States and international patent portfolios for many Fortune 500 companies. This includes all phases of drafting and prosecuting complex patent applications in a variety of technical fields, including networking technology, multi-core processing, e-commerce, alternative energy, internet-related technology, software, and wireless/satellite communications.
Prior to his legal career, Derek worked as an electrical engineer for the Naval Research Laboratory and MCI/Worldcom, gaining extensive experience in networking and signaling technologies for one of the largest telecommunications networks in the world and the United States Navy.
He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Utah State University and his J.D. from the Sturm College of Law of the University of Denver.
Apurv Gaurav, Washington, D.C., focuses his practice on patent procurement, prosecution, post-grant proceedings and litigation, in a broad spectrum of technologies, including wireless communications, medical imaging and devices, electrical and electronic devices, financial technology, smart wireless connectivity, computer hardware and software, bio sensors, renewable energy generators, and energy efficient appliances.
Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, Apurv worked as an attorney for another patent boutique firm in Washington, D.C. He has also been named as an inventor on a patent application for an improved solar-LED system adapted for commercial lighting.
He earned his B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley; M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University; and J.D. from Boston College.
Novaira Paul, Chicago, focuses her practice on trademark matters, including litigation, oppositions and cancellations.
Prior to law school, Novaira worked as a litigation paralegal at a medical malpractice defense firm. She also started her own photography business, which ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in intellectual property law.
She earned her B.A., magna cum laude, in International Business from San Diego State University and her J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Samuel P. Richey, Chicago, focuses his practice on developing and maintaining patent portfolios for his clients along with advising his clients on transactional matters and providing technical opinions relating to potential infringement and validity issues. He has extensive experience with a variety of technologies in the computer software, electrical, and mechanical domains, and he specializes in distributed systems, cloud computing, targeted advertising, vehicle telematics, video encoding and distribution, image processing, digital communications, power amplifiers, and dive equipment.
Before embarking on his legal career, Samuel worked as a software engineer and consultant at companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 firms. Prior to joining Banner & Witcoff, he was a partner at a patent boutique in Southern California and served as an adjunct professor.
He earned his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law.
About Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 110 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner & Witcoff provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys have the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex intellectual property applications, as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries. For more information, visit http://www.bannerwitcoff.com/.
Please direct all media inquiries to Amanda Robert at (312) 463-5465 or arobert@bannerwitcoff.com.
Category: PRESS
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm that procures, enforces and litigates intellectual property rights throughout the world, welcomes John R. Hutchins, a first-chair patent litigation attorney, as a shareholder in its Washington, D.C. office.
“Our clients encounter increasingly complex and multifaceted legal and business challenges, and work closely with us to overcome these challenges,” Banner & Witcoff president Charles L. Miller said. “John’s addition to our standout team of litigators will strengthen our ability to provide successful results to our clients.”
Mr. Hutchins was previously a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Kenyon & Kenyon LLP, which eventually became Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. He handles litigation in federal district court and the International Trade Commission, appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, client counseling, license drafting and negotiations, and patent post-grant proceedings. He has represented clients in significant cases involving consumer electronics, automotive components, medical devices, paper making processes and chemicals, inks, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and toys and children’s products.
“Having spent 20 years litigating at an intellectual property firm, I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to join Banner & Witcoff – a firm with the strongest reputation for handling IP matters and a deep bench of experienced attorneys,” Mr. Hutchins said.
Early in his career, Mr. Hutchins served as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul V. Gadola, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1995, and his B.S.E., summa cum laude, in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1992.
About Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 100 attorneys and nearly 100 years of practice, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys are known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex patent applications as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries. For more information, please visit www.bannerwitcoff.com.
Please direct all media inquiries to Amanda Robert at (312) 463-5465 or arobert@bannerwitcoff.com.