IP business & Technology attorneys
ADVANCING CLIENTS' objectiveS
services
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Business Counseling
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Litigation
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Transactions
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Patents
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Trademarks
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Trade Secrets
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Copyrights
BUSINESS COUNSELING
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We can set up your company, help you manage risk, and negotiate contracts. See us for:
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confidentiality agreements / NDAs
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consulting agreements
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employment agreements & non-competes
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operating agreements & bylaws
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work-for-hire agreements
LITIGATION
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We can serve as lead counsel or local counsel in state court or in federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan. See us for lawsuits involving:
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breach of contract
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business torts
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copyright infringement
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patent infringement
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trade secret misappropriation
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trademark infringement
TRANSACTIONS
We negotiate contracts, license technology, and acquire assets. See us for:
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asset purchase & stock purchase agreements
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government contracts (SBIR, STTR, OTAs, FAR Part 12, FAR Part 15)
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IP licenses & assignments
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joint development agreements
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memoranda of understanding (MOUs)
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supply contracts
PATENTS
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We help you decide which innovations to patent in which countries. See us for:
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international portfolio management
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opinions
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patent applications and appeals
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post grant proceedings (IPRs and PGRs)
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prior art searching
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We advise about the best IP protection across many technologies, including:
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artificial intelligence (AI)
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autonomous vehicles & mobility
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batteries & electrification
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chemicals & coatings
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cybersecurity & data privacy
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drones
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engines, motors & components
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medical devices
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military systems
TRADEMARKS
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We can strengthen your brand strategy. See us for:
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federal and state trademark applications
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international portfolio management
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opinions
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oppositions & cancellations
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renewals
TRADE SECRETS
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We know what to keep secret and how to do it. See us for:
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best practices for maintaining secrecy
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cybersecurity
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due diligence when hiring from a competitor
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exit interview practices
COPYRIGHTS
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Copyrights are not just for musicians and poets. We can help your team's software developers with:
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preparing copyright applications
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opinions
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
- Arthur C. Clark
VISION
To advance our clients' business objectives through
strategic and cost-effective counseling.
ABOUT US
We understand conventional practices. More importantly, we know when to depart from the old rules to drive results. We find creative solutions for companies facing business and legal issues involving technology.
ATTORNEYS
Drawing from his 25+ years of experience as in-house counsel, including as Chief IP Counsel for Lear Corporation, Bill offers sophisticated business judgment that is rare in private practice. His in-house experience includes service for the US Army, BASF, SC Johnson, and Detroit Diesel. As evidence of his breadth and depth, Bill has structured acquisitions of technology companies, set up engineering entities in China for developing next generation batteries, cross-licensed IP, and litigated patent and trade secret issues. He knows how to focus on the clients' specific business objectives, regardless of technology or industry. And he delivers results.
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Bill's distinctive style makes him effective as a first chair litigator and as a lead transactional lawyer. He has formed companies and structured acquisitions in the US, Germany, Canada & China. Bill has negotiated on behalf of prime- and sub-contractors to the U.S. government using his mastery of the regulations, including the FARs and DFARs.
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Bill also continues to author patent applications and opinions across technological disciplines and industries.
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recognition
Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, 2022-2023
Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property, 2024-2025
Leaders in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2020
Top Lawyer, DBusiness magazine, 2014, 2017-2019
Leading Lawyers, 2017-2024
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publications & Speaking engagements​​
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Accessing Third Party Technology to Launch New Products, Laches, Apr. 2022 (with Linda Kennedy)
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Protecting IP in Michigan's Defense Corridor, IPLS Proceedings, v. 31, issue 1, 2020 (with Linda Kennedy)
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Developments in the Chinese IP Landscape; The Battery Show, 2019
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How Government Interests Affect Downstream Use of IP; AIPLA Annual Meeting, 2018
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Smart Cars need Smart Protection: Managing your IP in the Connected Vehicle; Connected Car Symposium, 2016
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Education
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D.
Bradley University, B.S.
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admissions
State of Michigan
State of Wisconsin
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
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Linda brings 20+ years of experience to her clients, including the business judgment developed as in-house counsel with Dow Chemical Co., Pratt & Whitney, and Collins Aerospace. Linda has developed global IP strategies, managed litigation, and negotiated commercial contracts and government contracts. She brings a business focus to the legal and technical issues facing modern companies.
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Linda litigates in federal and state court, and she advises clients on agreements. Linda also authors patent applications and opinions, and manages worldwide IP portfolios.
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recognition
Best Lawyers in America, 2017, 2021-2025
Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Patent in Troy MI, 2022
Go To Lawyers for Intellectual Property, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2022
Influential Women in Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2020
Notable Women in Law, Crain's Detroit Business, 2019
Leading Lawyers, 2017-2024
Top Lawyers, DBusiness magazine, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2024
Michigan Super Lawyers for Intellectual Property, 2020-2024
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community service
Public Outreach & Education Committee, State Bar of Mich., 2019-present
Trustee, Michigan Tech Entrepreneurial Support Corp., 2023-2025
Trustee, Michigan Technological University, 2013-2020
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publications & Speaking engagements
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Mitigating Risk When Hiring from the Competition, Laches, Mar. 2023
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Accessing Third Party Technology to Launch New Products, Laches, Apr. 2022 (with Bill Panagos)
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Are Patents Good for Green?, Laches, Apr. 2021
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Women Leaders in IP Law, ACI's Inaugural Summit. (Presentation on Fostering Inventorship in Women), Mar. 2021
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Beyond Money: Creative Solutions to Litigation, Laches, Feb. 2021
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Protecting IP in Michigan's Defense Corridor, State Bar of Michigan's IPLS Proceedings, v. 31, issue 1, 2020 (with Bill Panagos)
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In-house & Outside Counsel Teams: Managing Commercial Litigation, Laches, Jan. 2020
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Why You Should Safeguard Your Newly-Formed Business's IP, Corp! Magazine, Apr. 2016
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Medical Device Patents: Design or Utility?, 27 No. 11 Intell. Prop. & Tech. L.J. 12 (Nov. 2015)
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education
University of Minnesota, B.A., J.D., cum laude
Michigan Technological University, B.S., summa cum laude
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admissions
State of Illinois
State of Michigan
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
