Press Releases

ANN ARBOR – Steven L. Oberholtzer, Eric J. Sosenko and Lawrence G. Almeda, shareholders in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., have been named Michigan Super Lawyers for 2010 in the practice area of intellectual property law in the fifth annual survey.

James K. Cleland and Michael N. Spink, also shareholders in the Ann Arbor office, were named Michigan Rising Stars. The Rising Star recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger, or have been practicing for 10 years or less.

Steve L. Oberholtzer is the managing partner of the Ann Arbor office and has served on the firm’s Board of Directors. He focuses his practice on patent and trademark counseling, corporate intellectual property policy development, technology licensing, joint development and joint venture relationship agreements, United States Patent and Trademark Office administrative proceedings, including interferences, re-examinations, re-issues, trademark oppositions, patent application preparation and prosecution, providing opinions regarding infringement risks, design-around projects and patentability and administration of corporate intellectual property portfolios. He has experience in the mechanical and electro-mechanical disciplines, with particular emphasis on automotive industry issues, and has significant experience in technology areas, including medical devices, lasers, fiber optics, optical devices and heavy industrial equipment. Mr. Oberholtzer is the principal author of a primer on intellectual property entitled, The Basic Principles of Intellectual Property Law, which was reprinted in 2009 following its initial publication in 2006.

Mr. Oberholtzer holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Kettering University, formerly known as the General Motors Institute, and received his J.D. from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. He is involved with civic and professional organizations, including the Technology Transfer Society and the Licensing Executives Society. Mr. Oberholtzer is a resident of Chelsea.

Eric J. Sosenko’s intellectual property law practice at Brinks focuses on the procurement, enforcement and licensing of patents and trademarks in all industrial fields, including the mechanical, electro-mechanical, medical and material arts. He counsels on the strategic implementation and management of domestic and international intellectual property portfolios for various multinational clients and deals with a wide range of general and specific intellectual property issues, including licensing, joint venture, consulting and other agreement issues; patent and trademark application preparation, procurement and appeals; product and trademark protectability, infringement and clearance opinions; and litigation analysis, strategy and support.

In addition to his U.S. practice, Mr. Sosenko has an extensive international practice with significant experience in international protection, both directly with all major foreign intellectual property offices and under various multinational treaties, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty, The Hague Agreement and the Madrid Protocol.

Mr. Sosenko received his J.D. and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University. He is active in various civic and business organizations, including the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boy Scouts of America and is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the Washtenaw County Bar Association and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Mr. Sosenko is currently serving a three-year term on the Council for the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He is a resident of Green Oak Township.

Lawrence G. (L.G.) Almeda chairs the firm’s Nanotechnology Group. His legal practice focuses on patent opinions and counseling in the medical, chemical, nanotechnology and alternative energy fields. Mr. Almeda earned his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he was a published member of the Law Review, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University. Additionally, he holds an L.L.M in intellectual property law from The John Marshall Law School.

In addition to his legal accomplishments, Mr. Almeda has a prominent leadership role in Michigan’s Asian American community. He is a federally-appointed member and Chairperson of the State (Michigan) Advisory Committee (SAC) of the U.S Commission on Civil Rights and a board member and Immediate Past President of the civil rights group, American Citizens for Justice (ACJ). In April 2009, Mr. Almeda was appointed to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission for the State of Michigan by Governor Jennifer Granholm. He serves on the Executive Board of the Commission as Secretary. Mr. Almeda is also a past member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Assistant Regional Governor of the Central Region for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a Past President of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Mr. Almeda is a resident of Canton.

James K. Cleland specializes in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and unfair competition litigation in a broad range of technologies, including the chemical, materials science, mechanical and medical device arts, as well as in client counseling, opinion and licensing work in those same areas. His litigation experience includes trials, preliminary injunction hearings, Markman hearings, summary judgment proceedings and all aspects of fact and expert witness discovery spanning federal courts across the county. His patent prosecution experience includes preparation of patent applications in the United States and foreign countries.

Mr. Cleland holds a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law and a B.S.in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is active in civic and professional associations and is a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, American and Michigan Intellectual Property Law Associations and the Washtenaw County Bar Association. Mr. Cleland also volunteers with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and coaches youth sports. He is a resident of Ann Arbor.

Michael N. Spink’s intellectual property law practice focuses on all aspects of client counseling, including procurement, licensing and opinions on patents, trademarks and copyrights. Mr. Spink has extensive experience in complex transactions involving intellectual property, including due diligence, disposition and bankruptcy issues. His patent practice includes portfolio management, prosecution, licensing and enforcement in numerous industries including automotive, medical device, exercise and sports equipment, nanomaterials and software. His trademark practice comprises worldwide portfolio management, clearance, prosecution, licensing and enforcement in federal district court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Spink's copyright practice includes registration and licensing, and he is currently a contributing author on copyright law in Landslide, a quarterly publication of the American Bar Association.

Mr. Spink holds a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a resident of Brighton.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Super Lawyers employs a rigorous selection process that has been recognized by bar associations and courts across the country for its credibility and sophistication. It combines peer nominations and evaluations with third-party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. For additional information about Super Lawyers, please visit www.superlawyers.com.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States and serves the intellectual property needs of clients around the world. Brinks has 150 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents who specialize in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. The firm also advises on issues relating to intellectual asset management, trade secret, unfair competition, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments for companies in the electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering sectors; the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries; and for companies whose work relates to Internet and computer technology law. The firm’s trademark practice works on behalf of clients who deal in a wide variety of products and services. Founded in 1917, Brinks is based in Chicago and has five additional offices across the country, including its new office in Washington D.C. More information is available at www.usebrinks.com.