Michael’s reputation for enthusiastically and intuitively helping people understand and exploit intellectual property, whether offensively and defensively, makes raving fans of his legal work. With MBA, engineering and JD degrees, he has strong business, technical and legal acumen to listen to and advise clients to strategically navigate the issues they face.
Michael brings over 25 years of legal experience, preparing and prosecuting thousands of U.S. and foreign patents. He has represented clients in a wide spectrum of different technologies, including electric motors, building products, automotive, aviation, aerospace, roofing, siding, drywall, insulation, ceilings, trim, decking, fencing, solar systems, performance plastics, abrasives, technical fabrics, ceramic materials, disk drives, pipe systems, renewable energy systems, tools and software for hydrocarbon exploration and production, geothermal energy, fluid dynamics, materials science, medical, surgical and dental devices, therapeutic rehabilitation and fitness systems, industrial machinery, nanotechnology, agriculture, irrigation systems, kitchen and entertainment products, consumer products, pet products and many others.
Michael also has a strong track record of taking patent applications on appeal before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. He is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and he is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
Education & Credentials
Education
Texas Tech University
M.B.A., 1993The University of Texas at Austin
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1988University of Houston Law Center
J.D., 1996Bar Admission
Prominent Assignments
Retained to handle several patent matters for an esteemed engineering research institution on behalf of a foreign-based IP law firm, including working on technology patents related to computer storage and processing, as well as neural network chip architecture.
Retained by a major beverage and barware producer to handle its worldwide trademark portfolio.
Representing the founders of an oil and energy resources company and will assist with managing their extensive patent portfolio.
Representing a rehabilitation and medical technologies manufacturer, which includes handling their extensive patent portfolio and writing the majority of their patent assets.
Assisting a foreign IP boutique firm, in addition to helping their companies enter the U.S. market and cross-selling tax, corporate, immigration, IP, and litigation services.
Retained by a national leader in water well, mining, and geothermal distribution and services to draft and manage their patent applications.
Representing an aviation, engineering, and maintenance company to handle their intellectual property matters.
Starting with a solo inventor of disruptive motor technology, helped grow a start-up into a currently pre-IPO company over several years by acting as outside legal counsel to strategically develop, apply for and obtain a global patent and trademark portfolio to secure funding and form very significant barriers to competition.
Developed patent strategy and significant international patent assets for a therapeutic rehabilitation company.
Told by the chief IP counsel of a Fortune 500 building products company, “You are my go-to guy for all things IP.” Responsible for counsel, strategy and execution of the company’s large intellectual property portfolio.
A pro bono inventor, a single mother, and communications equipment installer, invented a tool. Prepared and prosecuted her patent, and licensed the patent to one of the largest tool manufacturers to obtain a patent royalty stream to help her raise her daughter.
Worked with R&D PhD scientists for one of the largest aerospace companies to enhance and maintain their patent portfolio.
Acting as IP outside counsel for a mid-sized subsidiary of a publicly-traded industrial conglomerate, the conglomerate’s C-level leadership was so impressed with Michael’s work that they replaced their existing IP law firms for their various subsidiaries with him and our firm.
Professional Involvement
- State Bar of Texas
Court Admissions
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office