Every invention needs protection, but the best form of protection for a particular invention is not always the most obvious one.

At Brooks Kushman, we understand the critical nuances between the different forms of intellectual property protection and how those differences can impact your business.

Our Trade Secrets Practice Group will work with you to help you to understand the benefits that trade secret protection may offer you beyond those available through a patent, and how to make sure this protection is preserved in a dynamic business environment.

In addition, we can work with you to draft and negotiate confidentiality agreements to use with vendors and suppliers to protect and preserve trade secret rights in your intellectual property. We can also structure employment agreements to maintain trade secret protection when your employees leave to join a new employer. Conversely, when a new employee joins your company, we can help structure the terms of employment to try to avoid litigation over trade secret claims from that employee's former employer. And, of course, should you need to prosecute a trade secret claim or defend one, our lawyers have a wealth of litigation experience.

  • Shareholder Kevin Heinl Publishes Article in Small Business Association Magazine
    Tuesday, February 19, 2019

    Southfield, Mich. - Brooks Kushman shareholder Kevin Heinl recently published an article in the Small Business Association Magazine, Focus on Small Business, titled “Take time to safeguard your new product developments.” The article focuses on steps small businesses and entrepreneurs need to take when they are developing new products or in the manufacturing process....

  • Brooks Kushman Hosts Chinese Delegation in Partnership With Michigan State University
    Friday, September 07, 2018

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Brooks Kushman, in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), hosted a Chinese Delegation for a roundtable discussion on Friday, September 7, 2018 in Southfield, Michigan. The roundtable focused on recent developments with U.S. patent challenges and trade secrets. It was moderated by Brooks Kushman shareholder Kristin L....

  • Brooks Kushman Announces Addition of Senior Attorney
    Tuesday, April 22, 2014

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Building upon the firm`s expertise, Brooks Kushman, P.C. has hired Gary Donohue as a Senior Attorney. Donohue brings a wealth of expertise to better serve Brooks Kushman`s clients in the automotive and financial industries. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Donohue oversaw all aspects pertaining to trademarks, copyrights and...

  • Brooks Kushman Publishes Sixth Edition of Intellectual Property Primer Covering the Latest Changes in the IP Landscape
    Tuesday, August 06, 2013

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Intellectual property (IP) has changed more in the last 10 years than ever before. To provide a basic understanding of the various aspects of current IP law, Brooks Kushman P.C. has issued the Sixth Edition of its IP Primer. The guide is written to help those who...

  • Brooks Kushman Hires Industry Veteran Daniel Stock, Enhances Corporate Transactions Expertise
    Thursday, February 01, 2007

         Brooks Kushman announced today that Daniel M. Stock, former in-house counsel at Ford Motor Co., has recently joined the law firm. The announcement was made by Ernie L. Brooks, president and founding partner.     Stock – who has practiced intellectual property (IP) law for nearly 35 years – has significant experience...

    • “Defend Trade Secrets Act” Signed Into Law Effective May 11, 2016
      Wednesday, May 18, 2016

      The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), was signed into law by President Obama on May 11, 2016. The new statute creates broad private federal cause of action for trade secret misappropriation and has been hailed as “the most sweeping change to the nation’s intellectual property laws in a...

      • Brooks Kushman Shareholder Featured in Crain’s Detroit Business
        Monday, March 16, 2015

        SOUTHFIELD, Mich., – Brooks Kushman Shareholder Kevin Heinl was featured in Crain’s Detroit Business’ March 15 article, “30 years later, a noncompete ruling has been forged into law.”In the article, Heinl discusses 1985 Michigan Supreme Court rulings that set the stage for modern employer protections across the United States and how these protections have changed with...

      • Four Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2013 Super Lawyers List; Ten Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars
        Friday, September 06, 2013

        SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Brooks Kushman P.C. is proud to announce that several of the firm`s attorneys have been named to the 2013 Super Lawyers list for their work in the intellectual property arena. The annual Super Lawyers listing honors outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained...

        • New Resource: Recent Developments in Information Technology Law – Third Quarter 2013
          Thursday, October 17, 2013

          Brooks Kushman patent attorney, Dave Syrowik, recently published a new legal resource titled “Recent Developments in Information Technology Law.” The document overviews key legal cases and opinions for the second quarter of 2013, including relevant cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeal, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Patent...

        • New Resource: Recent Developments in Information Technology Law Second Quarter 2013
          Thursday, July 25, 2013

          Information Technology Law Second Quarter 2013 Brooks Kushman patent attorney, Dave Syrowik, recently published a new legal resource titled “Recent Developments in Information Technology Law.” The document overviews key legal cases and opinions for the second quarter of 2013. To read the full article click here. 

        • New Resource: Recent Developments in Information Technology Law – First Quarter 2013
          Tuesday, March 12, 2013

          Brooks Kushman patent attorney, Dave Syrowik, recently published a new legal resource titled “Recent Developments in Information Technology Law.” The document overviews key legal cases and opinions for the first quarter of 2013, including relevant cases from the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeal, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Patent...

        • Michigan SuperLawyers 2006
          Sunday, September 24, 2006

          Two of our lawyers - Ernie Brooks and Bill Abbatt - were recognized as "SuperLawyers" in the field of Intellectual Property, in the first Michigan SuperLawyers Listing published by Law & Politics, after a multi-step selection process. That process included a survey of all lawyers in Michigan who have been...

        • The State of Computer & Internet Law 2006
          Tuesday, July 25, 2006

          David Syrowik presents a comprehensive review of computer and Internet case law handed down in 2006. [Read More...]

        • Don't Let Others Trade Your Secrets
          Friday, March 10, 2006

          Publication:Security Management Magazine

        • Protecting Trade Secrets: Steps Every Employer Should Know
          Saturday, January 01, 2005

          Reprinting permission: Reprinted with permission from the January/February 2005 (Vol 11, No. 1) issue of HR Advisor[Read More...]

        • Protecting Trade Secrets: Steps Every Trade Secret Owner Should Know
          Friday, December 31, 2004

          Reprinting permission: Reprinted with permission from the Winter 2004 issue of Employee Relations Law Journal[Read More...]

        • The Provisional Priority Land Mine
          Thursday, January 01, 2004

          Publication:Intellectual Property & Technology Law JournalReprinting permission: Reprinted with permission from the January 2004 issue of Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal[Read More...]

            • When Business Meets IP: Six Strategies for Mitigating Risk of IP
              Monday, April 30, 2018

              In many businesses, intellectual property assets, including patents, copyrights, trademark, and trade secrets, represent critical assets essential to success in the marketplace. Protecting IP assets often requires careful planning and oversight. Missteps can result in the loss of rights or, in some instances, liability for infringing the IP rights of...