Areas of Practice Emphasis

Representative Clients

  • Carhartt, Inc.
  • Caterpillar, Inc.
  • FANUC Robotics America, Inc.
  • Hagiwara America, Inc.
  • KMT Robotics Solutions, Inc.
  • Precision Parts International
  • Evangelical Homes of Michigan
  • Rofin-Sinar, Inc.
  • Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.
  • USAutoPARTS

Prominent Assignments

  • During five year tenure as chief legal officer of a worldwide leader in factory automation, developed and implemented policies and procedures to minimize legal risks/reduce the use of outside legal resources, interfaced directly with Japanese parent company, supported subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico and established Brazilian subsidiary, negotiated and helped administer multimillion-dollar federal procurement contracts (including a sole source project), had a lead role in establishing vertical distribution network, handled inquiries from the U.S. Customs Service, and developed several intercompany technology-related agreements in compliance with transfer pricing laws and regulations.
  • Represented Fortune 100 company in negotiation and documentation of IT transactions (including global enterprise solution and outsourcing deals), aggregating more than 1 billion dollars, with vendors including IBM, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, Microsoft, and EDS
  • Managed attorney team engaged to revise major telecommunications provider's standard customer agreements, with a total document count exceeding 100
  • Represented several companies in resolving claims of unauthorized use or copying of software, including claims brought by the Business Software Alliance, Oracle, and SAS Institute
  • Represented numerous clients in licensing transactions ranging from trading cards to footwear to ice cream to automotive components
  • Represented international rental car company in negotiation and documentation of large IT outsourcing and call center contracts
  • Experience representing buyers and sellers in numerous asset and equity-based business sales.
  • Assisted multinational (operations in 35 countries) Southeast Asia-based oil and gas company in the creation and establishment of an intellectual property asset management program intended for implementation throughout the client enterprise.

Education

  • J.D. (cum laude), University of Georgia, 1988
  • Graduate coursework in Economics, Wayne State University, 1980-1981
  • B.A. in Urban Planning, Western Michigan University, 1980

Admitted to Practice

  • Michigan, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1989
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1989

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, (2007-present)
  • Board of Directors, Automation Alley (2006-present)
  • Probono representation Michigan Children's Law Center
  • Board of Directors, St. Anne's Mead Assisted Living (2001-2003)
  • ABA Cyberspace Law Committee (subcommittee activities)

Publications and Presentations

  • ACI Advanced Forum on Technology Licensing Agreements, panel member on "Structure and Managing Multiparty Technology Licenses," April 2008
  • ICN Annual Conference, Chicago, presenter on "Business Continuity Planning," November 2003
  • ABA IPL Section Publication, Contributing Editor, "Marketing Your Invention," 2000
  • ABA IPL Section Spring Meeting, Washington, D.C., Moderator, Panel Discussion on "Inside and Outside Counsel Relations," 1996
  • Schoolcraft College, Instructor, International Trade Survey