Due to Brooks Kushman`s continued growth and success in the evolving intellectual property (IP) arena, Thomas W. Cunningham, Anessa Owen Kramer, John S. LeRoy, Matthew R. Mowers and James W. Proscia were recently appointed as shareholders of the firm. Brooks Kushman, a national leader in IP law, anticipates continued success and global expansion in 2008.
“As we enter 2008, the entire Brooks Kushman team welcomes Thomas, Anessa, John, Matthew and James as shareholders,” said Mark Cantor, president of the firm. “These five lawyers have proven to be strong assets to Brooks Kushman. Their passion for law, extensive knowledge in their fields and dedication to clients have been driving factors of our success.”
The Brooks Kushman lawyers that have been named shareholders are:
•Thomas W. Cunningham, whose practice involves all aspects of IP, has litigated cases in federal and state courts all over the country. His patent cases have involved a wide range of technologies from automotive and locomotive developments to flashlights, clocks, numerous consumer products and computer software. He has also litigated a number of trademark and trade dress cases, and has defended clients accused of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Cunningham is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
•Anessa Owen Kramer manages the firm’s trademark practice. She advises clients on the availability and protection of trademarks, manages and prosecutes large international trademark portfolios, enforces and litigates trademark actions, handles domain name issues and provides advice relating to advertising and marketing. She has helped build the nearly $3.6 million Brooks Kushman trademark department and has spent time promoting the firm through her involvement in the International Trademark Association. Recently, Kramer was named to Crain`s Detroit Business` “40 Under 40, Class of 2007” list.
•John S. LeRoy focuses his practice on patent and trade secret litigation and appeals in the software, electrical and mechanical arts. LeRoy was a member of the Brooks Kushman litigation team that secured a $153 million judgment in z4 Technology v. Microsoft Corp., which was recently affirmed by the Federal Circuit. He was recently honored for his voluntary pro bono work during the past year by the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. LeRoy is admitted to practice before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Courts in California, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan. He is also registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
•Matthew R. Mowers practices in all areas of IP law, including trademark clearance, prosecution and enforcement, licensing, and international patent clearance and prosecution, advising clients in the mechanical, electromechanical and business method arts. Mowers is the firm`s first “homegrown” shareholder, having started with Brooks Kushman just out of high school and continuing through college and law school. While managing a steady docket of domestic and international trademark and patent matters, Mowers has also built up significant experience in the emerging area of legal technology consulting, developing new solutions to keep up with clients` evolving needs.
•James W. Proscia, Ph.D. has an active practice focusing on chemistry, biotechnology and computer science. His extensive technical background enables him to understand and effectively communicate with inventors, enabling him to draw out the kind of information required to successfully prosecute patents. Currently, he is pursuing Master of Science degrees in biotechnology and computer science to expand his knowledge and further his understanding of these two ever-evolving fields.
