LITIGATION

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We will lead you to the right business resolution through cost-effective advice & advocacy. We specialize in lawsuits involving:

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• breach of contract

• business torts

• copyright infringement

• patent infringement 

• trade secret misappropriation

• trademark infringement

TRANSACTIONS

We will help you set up your company, license IP, hire talent, and acquire targeted assets. We can prepare and negotiate:

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• asset purchase & stock purchase agreements

• confidentiality agreements / NDAs

• consulting agreements

• employment agreements & non-competes

• government contracts (SBIR, OTAs, FAR Part 12, FAR Part 15)

• IP licenses 

• joint development agreements

• memoranda of understanding

• operating agreements & bylaws

• supply contracts

PATENTS

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We will help you decide which innovations to patent in which countries, and which to maintain as trade secrets. We manage:

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• patent applications, prosecution and appeals 

• patent searching

• opinions

• post grant proceedings (IPRs and PGRs)

• licenses, assignments, etc. 

• litigation

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We advise in many technologies, including:

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• autonomous vehicles, connected cars and the IoT

• battery technology & electrification

• big data and data mining

• chemicals, coatings and compositions

• cybersecurity

• drive-by-wire and fly-by-wire systems 

• engines & components, including controllers, pistons and transmissions

• medical devices

• next generation combat vehicle 

• open source software

TRADEMARKS

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Branding is important, and a global branding strategy can effectively and inexpensively help you differentiate yourself. We can help with:

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• trademark filings and prosecution

• trademark renewals

• opinions

• licenses, coexistence agreements, etc.

• oppositions & cancellations

• litigation

TRADE SECRETS

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We know what to keep secret and how to do it. We can help with:

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• confidentiality agreements / NDAs

• cybersecurity

• due diligence when hiring from a competitor

• employment agreements & non-competes

• exit interview practices

• litigation

COPYRIGHTS

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Copyrights are not just for musicians and poets. We can help your team's software developers and HR personnel with:

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• preparing copyright registration applications

• opinions

• work-for-hire agreements

• licenses

• litigation

VISION

To advance our clients' business objectives through

strategic and cost-effective use of IP.

ABOUT US

We broke away from the big law firm model, which can be expensive and which lacks flexibility. We understand conventional practices. More importantly, we understand when to depart from the old rules to drive results. We find creative solutions for our clients on sophisticated business and legal issues, especially those involving technology. 

ATTORNEYS

BILL C. PANAGOS

PARTNER

bpanagos@paniplaw.com

248.564.1635

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 an effective first chair litigator, as he was in, among others, the BorgWarner v. Pierburg and Schmalz v. Better Vacuum Cup patent litigations. He develops creative solutions, and his written and oral advocacy resonates with judges and juries. 

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Bill is a lead transactional negotiator. He has formed companies and structured acquisitions in the US, Germany, Canada & China. Bill has negotiated on behalf of Michigan Defense Corridor companies with prime- and sub-contractors to the U.S. government using his mastery of 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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HONORS / DISTINCTIONS

Top Lawyer in IP Law, DBusiness magazine, 2017-2019

Leading Lawyers in Intellectual Property, 2017-2019

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Speaking engagments

• Developments in the Chinese IP Landscape; The Battery Show, 2019

• How Government Interests Affect Downstream Use of IP; AIPLA Annual Meeting, 2018

• Smart Cars need Smart Protection: Managing your IP in the Connected Vehicle; Connected Car Symposium, 2016

• IP Protections for Software; World IP Day, 2016  

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Education

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D.

Bradley University, B.S. 

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admitted to practice 

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. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

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CONTACT