To better provide its clients with strategic intellectual property (IP) counsel, management and specialized service, Brooks Kushman P.C. – a national leader in IP law – recently hired Dalpreet S. Saluja and Susan D. Banks, Ph.D. Additionally, three new associates have also accepted offers to start working later this year.
The announcements were made by James A. Kushman, chief executive officer, and Mark A. Cantor, president, of Brooks Kushman and come as part of the firm`s strategy for growth and diversity.
“Susan and Dalpreet`s diverse experience and background are an excellent fit for Brooks Kushman as we further our growth as a national IP law leader,” Kushman said. “Susan`s specialized background in pharmaceutical regulatory matters and Dalpreet`s experience in business methods patents and trademarks will help expand our firm`s offerings, allowing us to better enhance and protect our clients` idea and innovation property rights.”
Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Saluja served as a business methods patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Va., where he was responsible for determining the patentability of non-provisional and national stage patent cooperation treaty applications in the business methods arts. Previously, he served as a contract attorney with Hogan & Hartson, LLP and Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, both in Washington, D.C., and additionally served as a technology consultant and programmer for various Washington, D.C.-based startup companies.
Saluja earned his juris doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland and his master`s degree and Bachelor of Business Administration degree in information systems technology and small business management from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. In addition, he is admitted in the Maryland state bar and the District of Columbia bar. He is also a member of the American Bar Association and is active with the South Asian Bar. He plans to sit for the Michigan bar in July.
Banks serves as a registered patent agent at Brooks Kushman, specializing in patent prosecution and regulatory compliance issues. With more than 10 years of experience in global regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Banks uses her expertise to assist clients who wish to patent biotech products intended for diagnosis and medical treatments, and represents clients before various regulatory agencies. She plans to sit for the Michigan state bar exam in February.
Previously, Banks served as a lieutenant commander with the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as a science officer assigned to the Food and Drug Administration. She has consulted with small and large companies on regulatory filing strategy, ISO-9000 certification and pharmaceutical facility design and product development, and also has worked on several successful generic drug patent litigation cases and trademark prosecution.
Banks earned her juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy Law School. She holds a doctorate in immunology and microbiology from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. and a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Wayne State University in Detroit. She is a member of the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and a veteran of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Plans for Future Growth
Additionally, Brooks Kushman announces perspective start dates for three professionals:
•Brian C. Doughty began serving Brooks Kushman as a law clerk in May 2006. In December 2007, he received his juris doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor. He plans to sit for the February bar exam and, upon successful completion, has been offered an associate position within the law firm. Doughty is a chemical engineer and received his engineering degree from the University of Michigan.
•Darrell C. Ford is currently pursuing his juris doctor degree (with an IP and communications law concentration) from Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing. He will graduate from law school in May 2008, will sit for the July bar exam and, upon successful completion, he will join the firm as an associate. Ford is a mechanical engineer and received his engineering degree from the University of Michigan. Ford previously worked as a summer associate for a local intellectual property law firm.
•John P. Rondini has worked at Brooks Kushman as a law clerk since May 2006 and is slated to receive his juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in May 2008. Upon passing the July bar exam, he anticipates joining the law firm as an associate. Previously, he served as a senior software and design engineer for Michigan Custom Machines in Farmington Hills, Mich. and Unisys Corp. in Minneapolis.
