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Miller Canfield Expands Intellectual Property Group with Addition of Three Lawyers
Robin Asher, David Ford and Mark Maki Join Firm
The law firm of Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Robin W. Asher, David J. Ford, and Mark L. Maki have joined the firm in the Intellectual Property (IP) Group, further expanding the firm's IP practice, which handles patent, trademark, copyright, technology transfer and trade secret counseling and litigation.
“We’re pleased that Robin, David and Mark have joined Miller Canfield. Their experience in the mechanical field and automotive industry complements the firm’s existing service offerings in intellectual property, as well as our attorneys’ backgrounds in life sciences, biotech, medical devices and engineering,” said Michael W. Hartmann, CEO of Miller Canfield.
Miller Canfield’s Intellectual Property Group includes 25+ lawyers in Michigan, Illinois, Canada, Mexico, Poland and China offering legal expertise in patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and computer transactions, including comprehensive dispute resolution. Lawyers provide guidance and counsel in all phases of domestic and foreign patent procurement, licensing, and litigation, and assist in formulating IP strategies to protect innovation evolving from their research and development.
Robin W. Asher joins Miller Canfield as a principal in the Detroit office. His IP experience includes administration, management and prosecution of patent portfolios for several Fortune 500 companies, including automotive manufacturers and suppliers. He is also experienced in preparation and analysis of patentability, validity and infringement searches and opinions; preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications; negotiation of license agreements and technology assignments; and litigation counseling.
He is admitted to practice before the European Patent Office and Board of Patent Appeals, as well as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He received his J.D. from Detroit College of Law and received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University.
David J. Ford joins as an associate in the Detroit office. He brings his automotive industry work experience and a range of IP experience including prosecution of domestic and foreign patents and trademarks; patentability, validity and infringement opinions; trademark oppositions; technology transfers; copyrights; and domain name disputes. His IP experience also includes management and prosecution of a global trademark portfolio.
He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Michigan State College of Law and his B.A.S.C. in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has worked as an engineer for Ford Motor Company and Nemak of Canada.
Mark L. Maki joins Miller Canfield as a principal in the Kalamazoo, Mich. office. He has extensive experience in the worldwide protection of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He represents various domestic and multinational corporations and has coordinated IP protection for clients’ global operations in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia Pacific. His experience includes preparation and prosecution of patents; preparing patentability and infringement opinions; trademark/service mark selection, registration and enforcement; evaluation of computer/Internet issues; licensing and related contracts; and litigation support.
He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He received his J.D. from John Marshall Law School and received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University.