Brian draws on his background as a mechanical engineer and inventor to develop innovative solutions to intellectual property issues.
Brian helps clients develop robust, global patent portfolios and provides valuable, practical guidance for minimizing patent infringement risks. Brian works closely with engineers, executives, and legal counsel to understand their goals and identify solutions to their intellectual property issues. Brian manages large intellectual property portfolios, and his practice covers all phases of preparation and prosecution for U.S. utility and design patent applications. Brian also has broad knowledge and experience in obtaining patents in a large number of other countries around the world.
In addition to building and maintaining patent portfolios, Brian counsels clients regarding potential patent clearance risks and assists with taking steps to mitigate and avoid patent infringement, including the identification of non-infringing designs and the preparation of non-infringement and invalidity opinions. Brian also applies his knowledge of intellectual property law to assist with patent litigation, Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, and intellectual property agreements.
Brian has counseled clients across a broad range of industries and technologies, including mining equipment, mechanical and hydraulic industrial equipment and tools, power tools, lawn and garden tools, manufacturing processes, control systems, refrigeration and heat exchange systems, electrical devices and receptacles, and lighting fixtures and components. Before becoming an attorney, Brian was an engineer designing mechanical and hydraulic components for a global mining and construction equipment manufacturer, and is a co-inventor of U.S. Patent No. 7,614,843. Brian relies on his technical experience to engage with inventors and engineers and develop effective, innovative solutions.