Martin J. Sultana

Martin is the Co-Chair of Brooks Kushman’s Autonomous Vehicle practice. With years of real world automotive, electronics and software experience, he is well equipped to advise clients in this emerging technology. Martin advises automotive OEMs and suppliers on the development of patent portfolios, freedom-to-operate opinions and validity opinions.

Martin works with clients ranging from Fortune 100 Corporations to smaller entities that are trying to jump-start their patent portfolio.  He regularly advises clients on a number of intellectual property matters, with an emphasis on patent preparation, patent prosecution, and opinion related work.  Martin has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications on a variety of technologies including electronics, computers, software, and electro-mechanical related arts and has enabled his clients to generate revenue by means of licensing and intellectual property transfer through these efforts.

Martin brings a ‘client centric’ approach to his practice. He takes the time to not only understand the invention and how it fits within their portfolio, but also strives to carefully understand his clients’ business needs. Martin understands through his experience while working as in-house counsel within a Tier-1 automotive supplier that business decisions often impact intellectual property rights. This approach enables Martin to thoroughly understand the issues that his clients face and he is able to advise clients with this perspective in mind.

Martin brings over a decade of engineering experience to his law practice and has been involved in the initial design and successful launch of a number of electronic controllers and devices during his engineering tenure.  He is completely familiar with the product development process and the complexities associated with launching a new product.

This combination of Martin’s engineering and legal experience allows Martin to effectively counsel clients in intellectual property matters.  Martin is able to distill the various nuances of intellectual property law to clients in a language that is easily and quickly comprehensible.

Organizations and Affiliations

Intellectual Property Owners Association – Corporate IP Management Committee

State Bar of Michigan

American Intellectual Property Law Association

Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association

Press Releases

• Brooks Kushman Shareholder to Speak at IP Counsel Café Annual Silicon Valley Conference; Four Shareholders to Attend

  Monday, April 23, 2018

• Brooks Kushman Congratulates Six New Shareholders

  Sunday, January 04, 2015

Client Alerts

• Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International

  Monday, June 30, 2014

Media Coverage

Featured, “Bringing tech, auto players together over smart cars could raise risk of patent litigation,” Crain’s Detroit Business, August 2016

Publications

Co-Author, “Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. V. CLS Bank International,” June 2014

Presentations

Panelist, “Autonomous Vehicles: Your Comprehensive IP Primer,” The Institute of Continuing Legal Education Intellectual Property Law Spring Seminar 2018, March 2018

Moderator, “Connected and Autonomous: Inside the Car of the Future,” IP in the Auto Industry, May 2017

Moderator, “Strategies and Operational Efficiencies to maintain a competitive edge,” IP in the Auto Industry, April 2017

Presenter, “Software Patentability with a focus on obtaining patent protection for different software related inventions,” Sensors Expo, September 2016

Education

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

M.S., Electrical Engineering, Wayne State University

B.S., Electrical/Computer Engineering, Wayne State University