Fanqi Meng is a skilled patent prosecution professional with a focus in computer systems and the electrical arts. Fanqi focuses his practice on patent prosecution and litigation in the mechanical and electrical arts, and computer systems. His practice also includes free and open-source software compliance and review. Fanqi has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications on a variety of technologies including electronics, computers, and automotive-related arts. He has also been involved in a number of patent dispute negotiations and settlement. Fanqi spent three years working as a patent practitioner in Beijing, China, conducting various patent practices including drafting responses to office actions and interviewing with examiners. He has extensive experience in handling both Chinese domestic and international clients from the US, EU, and Japan. His international experience makes him an invaluable asset to Brooks Kushman’s patent prosecution team. Fanqi received his Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center). Prior to becoming a patent practitioner, Fanqi majored in Microelectronics and has extensive experience in integrated circuit designs. Particularly, he has experience in VLSI (very large scale integration) designs.

Francesca Cusumano-Gibson is a skilled IP litigator who is passionate about helping her clients protect their assets. Francesca Cusumano-Gibson focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation, patent preparation, and patent prosecution. Francesca works in a variety of technology areas including industrial chemicals, materials sciences, and automotive systems. Francesca works hard to develop and implement IP enforcement strategies to fit their business needs. She brings a client-focused approach to her practice, working alongside her clients to understand and support their goals. Francesca holds a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. While there, Francesca participated in the patent procurement clinic preparing patent applications for local Michigan entrepreneurs and inventors. She represented the law school as a member of the Mock Trial National Team, competing at the American Association of Justice’s Student Advocacy Competition. Francesca also was active as the President of Wayne State’s Intellectual Property Student Association and participated in Wayne State’s Student Board of Governors as Governor-at-Large. Prior to that, Francesca graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, the most rigorous degree in pure chemistry offered by the University, and a minor in Moral and Political Philosophy. Francesca received University Honors throughout her time at the University. During her time there, she volunteered in a Physical Chemistry Lab as a student researcher. On her personal time, Francesca enjoys cheering on University of Michigan sports teams, cooking her way through cookbooks, visiting unconventional museums, and travelling to visit friends.

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.

Abha Fadipe is an experienced patent attorney that is passionate about working with clients on new and innovative technologies. Abha Fadipe focuses her practice on domestic and foreign patent preparation and patent prosecution in electrical and computer technologies, and on cybersecurity and data privacy. She is experienced in a variety of technology areas including thermal systems, 5G-antenna systems, electric drive systems, electric power systems, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Abha brings a client-focused approach to her practice and works closely with her clients to create patent strategies to fit their business needs. She conducts ideation sessions with clients’ technical specialists, actively monitors the patent landscape in key technological areas, and assists clients in developing patent portfolio strategies. Abha also held positions as an in-house counsel where she gained invaluable insight into patent portfolio management, especially with respect to foreign holdings. She has in-depth experience in consulting with international counsel, especially in Japan, China, Germany and across Europe, on how to respond to actions by foreign patent offices to provide a comprehensive international portfolio. Prior to entering the legal profession, Abha was a product engineer for over three years at a tier-1 automotive supplier. Abha holds a Juris Doctorate, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, all from Wayne State University (WSU). During law school, Abha served as president of the intellectual property student organization, served on the WSU law school student council, and co-chaired the yearly WSU Law School silent auction fundraiser. On her personal time, she enjoys cooking as she aims to perfect Indian dishes she grew up on and enjoys being silly with her kids including making up new songs and negotiating everything from what’s for breakfast and bedtime.

Patrick Leonard focuses on patent applications for vehicle systems and has over 30 years of experience in designing sensors and systems for medical imaging, including CT, digital radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopic surgery. Patrick Leonard is a registered patent agent focusing on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications relating to vehicle systems. Previously, Patrick worked for a Metro-Detroit law firm as a patent agent, where he prosecuted patents for internet software, vehicle systems and lasers. Patrick has over 30 years of experience in design and development of sensors and systems for medical imaging applications, including computed tomography, digital radiology, ultrasound, and endoscopic surgery. He also has experience with military systems, including sensors and processors for autonomous vehicle navigation and mutations terminal guidance. In addition, he has worked on industrial applications, such as machine vision systems for semiconductor manufacturing, robot guidance and laser micromachining. After he was given the responsibility of managing his former company’s intellectual property demands, he became a registered patent agent.

Mr. Runk provides legal services to clients in all of the intellectual property (IP) fields which include patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights. The services primarily encompass originating intellectual property portfolios, managing those portfolios, and enforcing a client's IP against infringers. His IP services also include reviewing the IP rights of others that may pose some level of risk to a client's business plans and providing advice about the risks. Mr. Runk works in state courts, in U.S. federal courts, and teams up with foreign attorneys for international cases. Mr. Runk's primary focus is on the fields of electrical, mechanical, signal processing, control systems, information management and processing systems, computer hardware, and software technologies. Mr. Runk has worked with a wide range of technologies such as complex medical apparatus for diabetes control, catheters for atrial mapping and ablation, valve systems, lighting systems for businesses, and inventory control systems using radio frequency identification. Mr. Runk provides IP services to businesses of all sizes from start-up companies to multi-billion dollar companies, and to individuals. Mr. Runk is a registered patent attorney at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and as such is licensed to represent clients in all aspects of patents and trademarks at the USPTO. Mr. Runk has prepared, negotiated, and finalized many intellectual property licenses and settlement agreements. Additionally, Mr. Runk has also performed the due diligence necessary in IP portfolio acquisition or divestiture which includes confirming clear title, maintenance issues, trademark use issues, and many other issues. Mr. Runk has also written and negotiated the intellectual property provisions for the contracts in acquisitions and divestitures. Many of these contracts involve complex contractual provisions for ownership and contingencies. Mr. Runk has also been actively engaged in intellectual property litigation including trial to a jury. In foreign countries, Mr. Runk has managed patent and trademark oppositions in Europe and in Asian countries.

Christopher Smith is a distinguished intellectual property attorney specializing in patent litigation, IP counseling, licensing, and patent and trademark prosecution, with extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies and startups across diverse industries. Christopher Smith is a highly regarded intellectual property attorney, recognized for his work in IP litigation, especially in patent litigation. His practice encompasses patent and trademark prosecution and the preparation of complex invalidity and infringement opinions. In 2024, Chris was honored with the prestigious Law360 MVP Award, an accolade awarded to only six IP attorneys nationwide, highlighting his exceptional influence and impact within the IP law community. Chris is a registered patent attorney authorized to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups, leveraging a comprehensive understanding of industries including automotive (notably infotainment), medical devices, internet technologies (such as content delivery networks), and telecommunications (including fiber optics). Chris’s background in patent prosecution deepens his litigation acumen, enabling him to analyze patent file histories with precision, which is invaluable in shaping claim construction and invalidity arguments. His litigation success is rooted in both his technical expertise and extensive experience with trial teams, previously honed during his time at Kirkland and Ellis in Los Angeles. Chris is an active speaker at a number of major IP conferences, frequently sharing his insights on emerging issues in intellectual property law, offering valuable perspectives on cutting-edge topics and best practices. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from UCLA. His early judicial externship with the Honorable R. Gary Klausner in the Central District of California offered him a unique perspective on federal judiciary processes, which continues to inform his strategic approach in litigation. Outside the courtroom, Chris is dedicated to family and leisure pursuits, enjoying fishing, swimming with his kids, bowling, historical autograph collecting and working on his golf game.

David Syrowik is an experienced patent attorney who takes a client-centered approach to his practice. David Syrowik never forgets the importance of the client in the attorney-client relationship. David welcomes any opportunity to bring inventors directly into the patent prosecution and opinion process, based on his belief that lawyers can learn a great deal from their clients. David takes on the role of student when working with clients, absorbing everything that they can teach him about their work and industry so he can better describe their inventions in patent applications and obtain the broadest possible protection. He also relishes the enthusiasm clients bring to their work, saying it is what makes his work so enjoyable. David takes a similar approach to working with patent examiners. He sees patent prosecutions as a win-win negotiation, not as an all-out battle with the US Patent and Trademark Office. He is willing to work for as long as it takes with patent examiners to gain the broadest possible protection for his clients. David has authored numerous scholarly articles in the emerging field of computer law. He also teaches on the subject as an adjunct professor at University of Detroit-Mercy Law School through the Intellectual Property Law Institute. David believes that these endeavors make him a better lawyer because they ensure that he stays at the cutting edge in intellectual property. David is committed to the idea that lawyers should give back to their communities and is active in numerous professional and civic organizations.

Bernie is a registered patent attorney with over ten years of experience drafting patents, freedom-to-operate opinions, responses and appeals in variety of technologies. Bernie has drafted hundreds of patents, and he has extensive experience with software patent applications related to video game software, interactive automotive software systems, digital circuits, database systems, advertisement delivery software and systems, web based applications, smart-phone applications, storage device hardware, and digital content delivery systems. Bernie works with several multi-national corporations on the management of large patent portfolios. Understanding the competitive advantage that can be obtained through application of modern computing technology to portfolio management, Bernie has developed expertise with software providing analytical portfolio analysis. These advanced tools leverage big data analysis to help clients: craft effective enforceable claims through competitive landscape analysis better identify enforcement targets better identify candidate patents for enforcement focus filing efforts on desirable technology efficiently manage and prune large portfolios cheaply and quickly identify previously cost-prohibitive targeted litigation evidence from the USPTO file wrapper records

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.