1. Name
2. Title
Counsel
3. Location
Austin, Texas
4. What IP matters do you assist clients with the most?
Preparation and prosecution of patent applications.
5. What are the biggest challenges facing your clients’ industries?
My clients’ industries are diverse but I tend to work with clients or groups within clients that focus on inventions in the high-tech industry. The high-tech industry is crowded and competition is robust. It is important for clients to invent and be the first to file patent applications on their inventions. From my personal experience, in dozens of the applications that I have prosecuted, the patent office(s) cite applications of competitors that were filed just months prior to our filings. I only see these situations from references cited against my clients’ applications but I am positive that the competitors encounter the same.
6. What trends are you seeing in your clients’ industry?
A push towards applications of artificial intelligence, advances in parallel processing, as well as high-speed, robust and low power, low cost wireless communications.
7. What excites you most about working with clients in this industry?
It is rewarding to work with inventions in state-of-the-art technologies, many years in advance of products and services reaching the market.
8. How has IP work changed since you first started practicing?
The IP work with clients changes constantly due to changes in technology and changes in the law. One of the most significant changes that I have seen across my career is the transition of cell phones to smart phones, which are essentially small computers, and the proliferation of smart phones. These hand-held devices have more processing power and more connectivity than many of the computers I worked with as an engineer.
9. What is your favorite aspect of your practice?
Working with inventors to describe their inventions and working with patent examiners in various patent offices around the world to prove that the inventions are new and non-obvious.
10. What do you enjoy most about working at KDB?
KDB promotes a friendly, team-oriented atmosphere as well as the production of exceptional work, on-time to provide superb value to our clients. KDB also has a diverse set of high-quality clients. What I enjoy most though is my interaction with knowledgeable, highly competent, and friendly attorneys and staff that help me produce the best work-product for my clients.
11. What activities do you enjoy when you’re not at work?
During my personal time, I am an avid reader of science fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. I also enjoy visiting and grilling with family and friends, motorcycling, traveling, and volunteering at charitable events.