Reza Roghani Esfahani is an IP litigation professional with a background in mechanical and chemical technologies. Reza's practice concentrates on intellectual property litigation, with a focus on patent litigation involving a wide range of technologies including mechanical, chemical, and pharmaceuticals. Reza also has experience in the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as intellectual property due diligence. Reza earned his Bachelor’s and Master's of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan. While pursuing his engineering degrees, Reza worked on projects directed at breast cancer therapy, live cell delivery, and the development of small molecule inhibitors of a human protein implicated in thrombosis. Additionally, Reza helped fabricate and functionalize microfluidic devices for isolating circulating tumor cells. Reza also has experience working on petroleum projects. In particular, his projects were directed toward the investigation of the aggregation kinetics of crude oil components. Reza holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. For two years, Reza taught a senior-level Chemical Engineering course at the University of Michigan as a graduate student instructor. During his time at the University of Michigan, Reza was an active member of student organizations such as the Honor Society of Chemical Engineers and the Intellectual Property Student Association.

Robyn Lederman is a trademark attorney who works extensively with her clients on cost-effective strategies to solve issues related to trademark clearance, prosecution, and a wide array of enforcement strategies. With more than 25 years of experience practicing in the area of trademark law, Robyn Lederman specializes in global branding strategy, trademark and domain name counseling, clearance, protection and enforcement for start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Robyn works extensively with company legal, marketing and business development groups to devise cost-effective strategies to achieve marketing goals. She works with her clients on issues involving anti-counterfeiting, copyright, domain name recovery, IP due diligence, licensing, trade dress and unfair competition. She represents clients in varied industries including agricultural, automotive, bio-tech, consumer products, cosmetics, entertainment, financial services, high-tech and homeland security. Along with managing U.S. trademark portfolios for her clients, Robyn has significant experience in obtaining trademark protection for her clients worldwide. Prior to Brooks Kushman, Robyn worked for more than seven years at a law firm in Israel as a trademark attorney and maintains her professional relationships in what has become known as “the start-up nation” by visiting clients and colleagues each year to keep them apprised of IP developments in the U.S. Robyn Lederman is brilliant at identifying optimal strategies for global brand protection and enforcement - and executing them. - World Trademark Review 1000 Robyn takes a special interest in connecting and creating partnerships between Israeli clients with Michigan universities, investors, and economic development organizations. She enjoys working with companies based in Israel that are expanding into the United States. Robyn is also on the Board of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge, a non-profit, member organization whose mission is to promote business and investment opportunities between Michigan and Israel Outside of Brooks Kushman, Robyn is very active in the community, educating young companies and start-ups on the practical impact of trademark law. She served for years as a mentor for Bizdom, a Detroit based business accelerator, where she often presented on how to effectively select names and build brand identity. Robyn is a Hamilton junkie who loves to brag about Detroit’s revival. She is in awe of Sheryl Sandberg, and continues to provide strong support for her alma mater, with all three children attending Michigan State University at the same time – Go Green!

Fatima is dedicated to providing her clients with exceptional trademark and copyright protection. Her practice focuses on trademark and copyright clearance, prosecution, and enforcement. She works with clients in a variety of industries, including technology, entertainment, consumer products, sports, and hospitality. She regularly performs trademark clearance searches, prepares trademark applications, drafts identifications of goods and services, and responds to office actions. She also prepares cease and desist letters and files opposition proceedings for enforcement of existing trademark rights. Fatima first joined Brooks Kushman as a Summer Associate through the Wolverine Bar Association, while also serving as a judicial intern for the Honorable Avern Cohn in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Fatima holds a dual Juris Doctor and MBA from Michigan State University, cum laude, where she was the Senior Productions Editor for the Michigan State Law Review and a member of the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Moot Court Competition. Fatima also attended the University of Michigan Dearborn to earn her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and minor in Political Science. Outside of work, Fatima enjoys exploring new middle eastern recipes, gardening, and travelling.

Matt Mietzel’s comprehensive experience provides him with an intuitive ability to advise his clients on the management and protection of their intellectual property through even the trickiest of legal situations. Matt has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications, primarily in the mechanical and electromechanical arts. Beyond patent prosecution, Matt also has experience in the preparation of validity and infringement opinions, trademark prosecution, licensing, IP due diligence, and litigation matters. “In my practice, I find that compared to other patent attorneys, I have more of a genuine understanding of my clients’ problems and struggles, enabling me to advise them authentically and work with them on a deeper level.” – Matt Mietzel Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Matt was an engineer in the automotive industry for over seven years. Whereas some engineers work solely in manufacturing or design, Matt gained experience in manufacturing, design, and research and development. Matt also has a deep understanding of the business needs of his clients, having earned a master’s degree in business administration. These experiences provide Matt with a strong foundation for advising clients on the management and protection of intellectual property. Matt was also a patent agent at a technology corporation where he learned first-hand about client expectations and how best to service clients. During his three years in that role, he prepared and prosecuted patent applications, led innovation workshops and patent design-around efforts, developed patent portfolio management strategies, and was involved in technology licensing matters. Matt has also served as acting in-house patent counsel for a Fortune 500 company managing a range of intellectual property matters. The combination of these diverse experiences provides Matt with an excellent understanding of the many aspects of intellectual property prosecution and intellectual property management. Outside of the office, Matt enjoys time with his family, hiking, and travelling.

Erica D. Klein is a dedicated trademark and copyright attorney with a wide range of experience including structuring IP transactions, negotiating IP licenses, drafting internet usage and online privacy agreements, and managing trademark and copyright portfolios. Erica D. Klein is a Shareholder at the firm and has more than 20 years of experience practicing intellectual property law. Her practice focuses on trademark and copyright law, and issues relating to e-commerce, internet law, social media, online privacy, domain names, rights of publicity and unfair competition for start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. She regularly counsels clients concerning brand development, licensing, and protection and enforcement of intellectual property, both in the U.S. and as part of a global strategy. Erica represents clients in varied industries, but she focuses her practice on entertainment, broadcasting, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion, and consumer goods. Her work includes licensing, transactional matters, trademark and copyright prosecution, enforcement, litigation, and general counseling on a variety of IP issues. Erica is the former chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Erica received a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, cum laude, where she was the Co-Chairman of the Dartmouth Programming Board. She also attended the University of Michigan, where she obtained her law degree, and was the Chairman of the Student Funded Fellowship Program.

Libby Janda is an experienced trademark attorney with an extensive background in domestic and international trademark portfolios. Libby Janda serves as the Co-Chair of Brooks Kushman’s trademark practice, and has over 30 years of experience in intellectual property law. She manages substantial trademark portfolios both domestically and internationally, and works closely with a network of vetted international contacts that the firm has developed over the past decades. Libby handles trademark matters in a variety of industries, including the automotive field; restaurants and food products; advertising and marketing businesses; insurance enterprises; mortgage companies, banks and credit unions; and consumer products and services. She keeps her focus on her clients’ business goals and marketing strategies. She has managed several global trademark portfolios in a full range of fields, including automotive, toy and consumer goods, entertainment, advertising, food and beverage, and agricultural products. Libby brings a practical business perspective to her counselling, and works hard to build significant portfolios through an established network of trusted contacts throughout the world. She also enjoys working with smaller businesses and start-ups to support their growth and development. Libby's work encompasses selecting and clearing trademarks, prosecuting trademark applications, representing clients in trademark opposition and cancellation matters, drafting and negotiating licenses and other agreements relating to the use of trademarks and copyrights, and policing the unauthorized use or infringement of clients' rights. She further provides litigation support and consulting on trademark issues and matters. In addition, Libby assists advertising clients in the review of proper rules and regulations for specific types of product advertising, couponing and sampling. She brainstorms with clients to maintain the broadest possible protection within the realities of that client`s marketplace, taking full account of business goals in shaping an appropriate legal strategy.

Hope Shovein is a skilled trademark attorney who works hard to ensure her clients receive the best guidance on intellectual property matters. Hope Shovein focuses her practice on the procurement and enforcement of trademark rights. Hope`s work encompasses trademark clearance searches and opinions, prosecuting trademark applications, managing domestic and international trademark portfolios, drafting and negotiating agreements, preparing and responding to cease and desist letters, and representing clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as litigation. Hope specializes in helping clients enforce their rights in any medium, including the unauthorized use of trademarks and copyright protected material in website content, online ads, spam, social media, online marketplaces and auction sites. She handles notice and takedown complaints under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and has successfully represented clients in arbitration proceedings under ICANN`s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy and other alternative dispute resolution policies. Hope also has experience with administrative agencies such as the FDA and CPSC with respect to product review and clearance. Online enforcement is a key strength of Shovein, although she also excels in brand management - World Trademark Review 1000 Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Hope worked in the intellectual property department of a major automotive company, where she gained a valuable background in domestic and international trademark law. Hope`s in-house legal experience has given her valuable perspective into providing clients with cost-effective and targeted legal service. She uses this perspective to assist clients across a range of industries on intellectual property matters.