Introduction

Mike’s practice focuses on patents and includes advising clients about the role patents can play in a successful business strategy. He secures U.S. and foreign patent protection for clients’ innovative products and also assesses how the competition’s patents may affect a client’s business. Mike’s patent practice includes:

• patent preparation and prosecution in the U.S. and in countries around the world
• product clearance/freedom-to-operate reviews
• investigating patent infringement allegations
• invalidity and non-infringement opinions
• analyzing potential patent enforcement actions
• IP asset analysis/due diligence for prospective IP sales and licenses
• IP license agreements

Much of Mike’s work is in the electrical, software, and mechanical technology areas, and he assist clients in a variety of industries within these spaces. Examples of technologies he works with include:

• software-driven mechanical devices
• cloud-based software
• medical devices (e.g., monitoring/ therapy delivery, orthopedic implants)
• infrared imaging
• infrared heating
• fluid control/analysis
• metal matrix composites
• metal casting

Mike truly enjoys helping clients understand how patents can impact their business strategies and always seeks to develop an IP strategy that fits with a client’s business priorities. Mike is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a senior associate practicing with the Intellectual Property Group at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Education

• University of Iowa, J.D., 2006, with distinction
• Iowa State University, B.S., Electrical Engineering, 2002, with distinction

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 2006
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property
• Patents
• IP Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Strategic Assessments
• Life Sciences

Representative Experience

• Prepared, filed and prosecuted numerous patent applications for a wide variety of technologies, including implantable medical devices, thermal imaging, computer software, database systems, sensors and controls, display stands, fiber optic polishing devices, audio devices, digital content storage devices, and Internet-related innovations.
• Simultaneously prosecuting two families of multiple patent applications directed to neurological devices and methods of treatment before the US Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of a Fortune 500 company.
• Analyzed competitor patents in an effort to clear a new product prior to launch by a local irrigation company.
• Analyzed microwave-related patent portfolio of target company and competing patents to assess infringement liabilities prior to possible acquisition or licensing by a major food company.
• Investigated products competing with a Fortune 500 company’s microdebrider instrument for possible infringement of the client’s patents.
• Analyzed potential validity and freedom-to-operate risks of an electrosurgical-related patent portfolio prior to possible acquisition/licensing by a major medical device maker.
• Drafted IP terms and led IP negotiations for an e-commerce retailer being acquired by a top national bookseller.

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “USPTO Director Champions Software Patents, Announces He Will Leave USPTO,” FredALERT: Patents, December 2012
• “USPTO Director Kappos Highlights Improving Quality of Software Patents,” FredALERT: Patents, December 2012

Professional Activities

• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association

Community Involvement

• Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney