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Francesca Cusumano

Intellectual Property Litigation

Michigan

248-226-2784

  • Overview
  • Representative Matters
  • Background
  • Insights
“My clients are the best part of my practice. Supporting them and their efforts, while providing strategies to protect their inventions and assets, is why I do what I do.”

Industries

  • Chemistry
  • Advanced Materials
Francesca Cusumano is a skilled IP litigator who is passionate about helping her clients protect their assets. Francesca Cusumano focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation, patent preparation, and patent prosecution. Francesca works in a variety of technology areas including industrial chemicals, materials sciences, and automotive systems. Francesca works hard to develop and implement IP enforcement strategies to fit their business needs. She brings a client-focused approach to her practice, working alongside her clients to understand and support their goals. Francesca holds a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. While there, Francesca participated in the patent procurement clinic preparing patent applications for local Michigan entrepreneurs and inventors. She represented the law school as a member of the Mock Trial National Team, competing at the American Association of Justice’s Student Advocacy Competition. Francesca also was active as the President of Wayne State’s Intellectual Property Student Association and participated in Wayne State’s Student Board of Governors as Governor-at-Large. Prior to that, Francesca graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, the most rigorous degree in pure chemistry offered by the University, and a minor in Moral and Political Philosophy. Francesca received University Honors throughout her time at the University. During her time there, she volunteered in a Physical Chemistry Lab as a student researcher. On her personal time, Francesca enjoys cheering on University of Michigan sports teams, cooking her way through cookbooks, visiting unconventional museums, and travelling to visit friends.

Representative District Court/ITC Matters

Lear Corporation v. NHK Seating of America Inc. (Settlement – E.D. Michigan): Only days into a federal jury trial, Lear Corp., represented by Brooks Kushman, and NHK Seating, informed a Michigan federal judge that the companies had reached a settlement in the patent infringement case involving headrest patents. Lear sued NHK Seating in 2013 saying the company infringed multiple patents for technology they used in their vehicle headrests. The case has been settled in its entirety.

CAO Lighting v. General Electric Company (Jury Trial – D. Delaware): A federal jury in Delaware found that General Electric will owe a combined $2 million to a Utah company, CAO Lighting, represented by Brooks Kushman, that owns the patent covering a type of LED light involved in this suit. Jurors deliberated for about a week and a majority voted in favor of CAO Lighting Inc.

Education

J.D., Wayne State University Law School

B.S. Chemistry, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Organizations & Affiliations

Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court

American Chemical Society, Detroit Section

Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan Chapter

Industries

  • Chemistry
  • Advanced Materials

Insights

Press Releases

Abha Fadipe Chosen as 2024 LCLD Fellow; Marla Spain, Ph.D. and Francesca Cusumano Appointed to Pathfinder Program

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Welcomes New Associate Francesca Cusumano

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