
Since 2007, Chris has gained extensive experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the semiconductor, mechanical, electro-mechanical, sterilization, consumer appliance and diesel engine industries. Prior to entering the practice of law, Chris was a research engineer for a company that manufactured low temperature sterilization systems for medical devices. He also worked as an engineer designing diesel engine components for a manufacturer of locomotives.
Chris has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. He has prepared and prosecuted patent applications in a wide variety of engineering disciplines including medical sterilization, semiconductor fabrication processes, diesel engine valve trains, refrigeration and cooking appliances.
At his former law firm, Chris drafted patent applications and responded to Office actions in a wide variety of disciplines.
Chris’ domestic patent practice includes preparing original patent applications and responding to Office actions from originally-filed applications, national phase applications and convention applications. Chris’ domestic patent practice also includes rendering opinions concerning infringement and validity, and he frequently suggests design changes to avoid infringement concerns. His domestic patent practice further includes conducting state-of-the-art investigations, clearance investigations and due diligence investigations.
Chris’ foreign patent practice includes experience responding to Office actions from the National Intellectual Property Administration of China, European Patent Office, Japan Patent Office, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, Intellectual Property India, Mexican Institute of Industrial Property and Canadian Intellectual Patent Office.
Chris earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law, where he was a member of the University of Akron Law Review (Assistant Editor for 2005-2006) and The University of Akron Intellectual Property Law Journal (Senior board member for 2006-2007). He was published in Volume 1 of The University of Akron Intellectual Property Law Journal for an article entitled “Phillips v. AWH Corporation: Asking Questions, But Refusing to Hear the Answer.” Chris is admitted to practice in Ohio as well as before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Chris is an active member of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA), the Kathleen M. O’Malley American Inn of Courts, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) and the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).
