ROYAL OAK, Mich – Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that eight of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list for their accomplishments in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine. The annual listing honors outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than 5 percent of attorneys in each state, of which eight Brooks Kushman attorneys were recognized:
John LeRoy – A shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, representing clients in high-tech disputes involving patents, trade secrets, copyrights, software, electronics, and mechanical systems. With more than two decades of IP litigation experience and advanced technical training in electrical and mechanical engineering, he helps clients navigate complex technology disputes, licensing issues, and business-critical innovation challenges. John also leads the firm’s FRAND and other licensing disputes work and Open Source Compliance practice, advising automotive OEMs, suppliers, and technology companies on standard essential patent licensing, source code audits, and open source software compliance. His work is especially relevant to companies in automotive and mobility, electrical and computer technology, information technology services and software, and medical devices and healthcare brands industries.
Christopher Smith – Co-Chair of the Litigation practice at Brooks Kushman, where he focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation. He represents Fortune 500 companies and startups in complex IP matters across industries including automotive (including infotainment), medical devices, internet technologies such as content delivery networks, and telecommunications including fiber optics. Chris is a registered patent attorney before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is recognized for his work in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, including the preparation of infringement and invalidity opinions and strategic counseling in technically complex disputes.
Hope Shovein – A shareholder and co-chair of Brooks Kushman’s Trademark practice, counseling clients on the development, protection, and enforcement of valuable brand assets. She advises companies on trademark clearance, prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement strategies that support long-term brand growth. Her work is especially relevant for businesses in retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer spaces, as well as companies managing complex consumer products portfolios. Hope helps clients align their brand protection strategies with broader business goals in domestic and international markets.
Marc Lorelli – A shareholder and co-chair of Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, representing clients in high-stakes disputes involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other IP assets. He helps companies protect innovation, manage risk, and resolve complex conflicts through litigation, negotiation, and strategic enforcement. Marc’s work supports clients across technology-focused industries, including automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, and consumer-facing markets. He also brings litigation insight to matters involving trademark enforcement, trade secrets, and broader IP portfolio strategy.
Frank Angileri – A shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, helping clients enforce and defend valuable intellectual property rights. He counsels businesses on litigation strategy involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other competitive assets. Frank’s experience is particularly valuable for companies in innovation-driven sectors, including automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, and advanced materials. His litigation perspective helps clients connect enforcement decisions with practical business objectives.
Molly Mack Crandall – A co-chair of Brooks Kushman’s Trademark practice, where she focuses on trademark clearance, prosecution, enforcement, licensing, and brand protection. She counsels clients ranging from startups to established companies on strategies for developing, protecting, and maintaining strong brand portfolios. Her practice includes work tied to licensing and agreements, online enforcement, and matters before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Molly’s experience is especially relevant for clients in consumer products, retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer, and entrepreneurs and startups markets.
William Abbatt – A shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Patent Prosecution practice, helping innovators secure patent protection for technologies and products. He works with clients to develop patent portfolios that support commercialization, investment, and long-term competitive advantage. His technical background and prosecution experience support clients in sectors such as industrial manufacturing, advanced materials, and automotive and mobility. Bill helps clients connect sound patent strategy with broader business and innovation goals.
Rebecca Cantor – A shareholder whose practice spans Trademark and Intellectual Property Litigation matters, giving clients a practical perspective on both brand protection and enforcement. She advises businesses on trademark strategy, dispute resolution, and the protection of valuable intellectual property assets. Her work is particularly relevant for companies navigating retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer, consumer products, and other brand-focused markets. Rebecca helps clients develop legal strategies that support commercial goals while protecting brand equity.
Charles A. Bieneman – A shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Patent Prosecution practice, assisting clients with protecting innovation through thoughtful patent portfolio development. He works with inventors and businesses to identify protectable technologies and align patent strategies with long-term growth. His practice supports companies in technical sectors such as industrial manufacturing, automotive and mobility, and advanced materials. Charles helps clients approach patent prosecution with a focus on business value, enforceability, and competitive positioning.
Five of the firm’s attorneys were also named to the 2026 Rising Stars list, which honors lawyers who are under 40 years old, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Super Lawyers Magazine recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state as 2026 Rising Stars.
Chelsea Pasquali – A shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, representing clients in disputes involving intellectual property and related business issues. She helps companies protect innovations, manage litigation risk, and enforce rights in competitive markets. Her work supports clients across industries where IP is central to business value, including consumer products, retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer, and industrial manufacturing. Chelsea brings a practical litigation perspective to strategies involving patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
Dustin Zak – A registered patent attorney who focuses his practice on patent litigation and prosecution. Dustin possesses a vast range of technical experience, from chemical and material arts to software applications and artificial intelligence. Dustin has technical knowledge related to cybersecurity and computer technologies. During his studies, he has immersed himself in many technical topics including C++, Java, and visual basic programming, networking, open-source networking, end-user computing, ethical hacking and offensive security, cyber intelligence, Linux security administration, information security, risk-vulnerability analysis, and digital forensics.
Reza Roghani Esfahani – An intellectual property litigation attorney with experience in patent and trade secret disputes involving mechanical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and computer-related technologies. His practice includes Intellectual Property Litigation, Patent Prosecution, Post-Grant Proceedings, and Trade Secrets matters. Reza’s technical background supports clients in sectors such as automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, life sciences and biotechnology, and medical devices. He helps clients protect and defend business-critical technologies through strategies grounded in both legal and technical understanding.
Fatima Kassem – An associate in Brooks Kushman’s Trademark practice, assisting clients with trademark clearance, prosecution, portfolio management, and brand protection. She helps businesses secure and maintain trademark rights while supporting broader strategies for protecting brand identity in competitive markets. Her work is well aligned with clients in retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer, consumer products, and entrepreneurs and startups sectors. Fatima supports clients in building practical trademark strategies that can grow with their business.
Chloe Conway – An associate in Brooks Kushman’s Trademark practice, helping clients protect and strengthen brands through trademark counseling. She assists with trademark prosecution, portfolio management, enforcement considerations, and brand protection strategy. Her work supports companies in brand-driven industries, including consumer products, retail, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer, and entrepreneurs and startups. Chloe helps clients approach trademark protection with a practical focus on long-term business growth and market positioning.
Super Lawyers selects attorneys based on a patented multi-phase process, in which peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third-party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement in an effort to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of attorneys that can be used as a resource for those searching for legal counsel.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Founded in 1983, Brooks Kushman P.C. has built a national reputation as a premier intellectual property and technology law firm. We accomplish this with the understanding that the most effective IP solutions come from putting great minds together – our clients and our own. With offices across the country, we forge strong relationships with corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and leading universities across the country.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 Corporations across a variety of industries among its clients. Our attorneys have a deep understanding and broad range of experience in a variety of industries and technologies, including automotive, AI & data, automation, consumer electronics, manufacturing, medical device, computer technology, aerospace, chemicals, biotechnology, retail, food & beverage, green technology, fintech, and more. We are also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including, Best Lawyers, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and World Trademark Review. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.
