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.

Ashley Batzer’s commitment to immigration law is driven by her desire to make a difference in the lives of her clients. As she states, “I have always enjoyed helping others and immigration law is a great way to assist people with their dreams and goals.” In her practice, Ashley treats each client as unique and tailors her guidance to meet their specific objectives. “The more flexible an attorney can be in her or his methods,” she avers, “the more people you can help.” As an attorney at Fakhoury Global Immigration, Ashley works primarily with IT clients on H-1B and EB-1C visa petitioning. She enjoys helping her clients to navigate the complex landscape of immigration law in order to achieve their talent mobility objectives and to ensure that they remain in compliance. Ashley earned her J.D. at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University. She also earned her undergraduate degrees in Paralegal Studies and Legal Studies from Kaplan University. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys reading, kayaking, playing video games, fishing, and walking her dogs. She is also interested in homesteading and off-grid living.

As an attorney for FGI, Michael Morton specializes in employment immigration law including both nonimmigrant (H-1B, L-1A/B, TN, etc.) and immigrant filings (PERM, immigrant petitions, Adjustment of Status, etc.) He brings to his position a solid commitment to mastering the ever-changing complexities of immigration law and to working with clients to realize their global talent mobility objectives. “As attorneys,” he says, “we must be knowledgeable about our area of the law, strategic in our approach, and empathetic and attentive to the needs of our clients.” Michael incorporates the skills he developed in his former career as a high school teacher into his current practice, carefully explaining immigration law to his clients and showing how it applies to their specific situations. His teaching experience and family history have also given him a strong appreciation for the contributions that immigrants have made to American society. “I am very cognizant of my ancestry and the stories of my family who came over to the United States,” he says, “and I am inspired to help others who are seeking opportunity in the U.S.” He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and his J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Michael is licensed in the State of Michigan and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Michelle Burns sees immigration law as bringing together two of her abiding passions – innovation and all things international. Moreover, she enjoys working with her clients to provide the strategic guidance and advice needed for them to navigate the complexities of immigration law with ease and confidence. Practicing immigration law gives Michelle the satisfaction of knowing “that each individual I help is getting the opportunity to live and work in a new country and fulfill their long-term goals. At FGI, Michelle handles all aspects of nonimmigrant and immigrant case processing for her clients in the IT, engineering, automotive, medical, and banking domains. She is well versed in the requirements for employment-based nonimmigrant classifications including: H-1B, H-1B1, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and TN. Michelle also routinely advises clients on the PERM Labor Certifications, immigrant petition filings for individuals under the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 classifications as well as Adjustment of Status (AOS) and Consular Processing applications. Michelle is well versed in providing clients on strategies to manage risk while maximizing results, and works with clients to create solutions that allow for the “timely and efficient processing of each individual petition so that my clients can meet their business needs and remain in compliance with the laws.” She earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Grand Valley State University and her J.D. from the Wayne State University Law School. She has been admitted both to the Michigan State Bar and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. She has also developed her international experience through travel (China, UK, Germany) and through supplementary coursework in private international law at the Hague, Netherlands, and in international arbitration in Cologne, Germany. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an Ambassador to the American Immigration Council, Wayne State University Law School Alumni Association, and the Wayne Lawyers Network. In addition, she loves art, photography, learning about new technologies, social media, and being with her friends and family.

formed her decision to focus on immigration law; they “still remind me how vital it is for every client to have not only skillful but compassionate help.” Michal focuses on multinational IT, automotive, and robotics clients and has developed her expertise in business-based nonimmigrant and immigrant cases. As an immigrant herself, she knows the important role that they have had in building America’s prosperity and enjoys aiding her clients in building new lives. “I love the human aspect,” she says, “and the rewards that come from being able to help others navigate this complex system and achieve their goals.” She sees her practice as “not only to have each case approved but to reduce clients’ stress and to educate and empower them.” Michal also serves as the firm’s Director of Technology and Legal Processes, developing strategic plans and execution strategies to drive improved operations throughout the organization. She is passionate about driving the use of technology to bring about optimization of outdated processes, streamlined operations, and increased efficiencies. She thrives on partnering with different stakeholders at all levels to help them continuously evolve. Michal earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, her J.D. from the Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 2008. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Commission. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two kids.

Matthew Morse has been practicing employment-based immigration law for over 20 years. He has experience with many areas of Green Card processing including PERM labor applications, immigrant visa petitions, and Adjustment of Status applications. He has experience with naturalization issues and applications, family-based immigration matters and many nonimmigrant visa categories, including the B, E, F, H, K, L, O, R, and TN categories, as well as consular processing matters. He has strong knowledge of federal immigration statutes and regulations. “Keeping clients informed of changes in the law, and what those changes might mean for their immigration objectives is crucial,” he says. “Companies need to know that we are giving them the most current information, and guidance in a timely manner, so that adjustments to their talent mobility strategies may be made accordingly.” As a Partner at FGI, Matthew’s experience also includes case processing for PERM labor applications, Multi-National Managers and Executives, Extraordinary Ability Aliens, National Interest Waivers, and various nonimmigrant case processing for the H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, E-3, TN, and B-1 categories. In addition, he has extensive experience in advising clients on how mergers, acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations may impact both immigrant and nonimmigrant case processing. He makes recommendations to clients as to how to handle such corporation restructurings as they relate to various immigration matters and/or successor-in-interest petition filings. Matthew has published numerous articles in Immigration Daily (ILW.com) and International Law Office (internationallawoffice.com), as well as Lexology and Mondaq, and has been a speaker for immigration webinars offered by ILW and the Knowledge Group. He is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Matthew has held internships with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He also practiced in the areas of gaming law, real property law, and contract law. His interest in immigration law developed out of these experiences and out of a desire to help businesses and individuals navigate federal immigration laws. “I see my role as making this process as clear and manageable as possible for our clients. It is important to listen to the client and interact with them in a meaningful way.”

Dustin is an experienced IP practitioner with a vast array of technical experience. Dustin Zak is a registered patent attorney who focuses his practice on patent litigation and prosecution. Dustin possesses a vast range of technical experience ranging from chemical and material arts to software applications and artificial intelligence. Dustin has technical knowledge related to cyber security and computer technologies. During his studies, he has immersed himself in many technical topics including C++, Java, and visual basic programming, networking, open source networking, end-user computing, ethical hacking and offensive security, cyber intelligence, Linux security administration, information security, risk-vulnerability analysis, and digital forensics. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Dustin spent more than 5 years gaining technical experience as a Research and Development Chemist at an automotive OEM supplier and in the automotive after-market refinish industry. In these roles he formulated, developed, and launched various products globally. He also participated in the creation and development of technology for measuring visual emissions for compliance with EPA method 9, and validated and generated performance criteria for raw materials including solvents, polymers, resins, pigments, additives, and final products. Dustin holds a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University graduating at the top of his class where he received the Governor’s Scholarship. He was also the Senior Articles Editor for the Wayne Law Review and a Mock Trial member. Dustin also participated in the patent procurement clinic preparing patent applications for Detroit entrepreneurs and inventors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Polymers and Coatings Technology from Eastern Michigan University, where he received the Recognition of Excellence Scholarship, the College of technology Coating Scholarship, and the Charles Parker Scholarship.

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.

John Halan is an IP litigator who has extensive knowledge in patent, trade secret, and related commercial litigation. John M. Halan has been practicing with the intellectual property law firm of Brooks Kushman P.C. since 1990, where he has been a shareholder for many years and is the head of the firm`s trade secrets group. As a litigator, he specializes in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, including patent, trade secret, and related commercial litigation. He has tried many cases as lead or team trial counsel and has also successfully argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also has considerable experience handling various matters before the PTAB, including inter partes reviews and appeals. In addition to litigation, John has negotiated and prepared numerous intellectual property and commercial agreements, including patent and technology license agreements. He has also prepared many infringement and validity patent opinions and has been called upon to act as a patent dispute mediator. As a licensed professional engineer, prior to attending law school and joining Brooks Kushman, John managed a number of industrial construction projects from initial design through to completion.

Tom Cunningham is an accomplished, hands-on attorney who takes a client-centered approach to his practice. Tom has twenty-five years of experience litigating intellectual property cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in federal courts all over the country. Tom’s cases have involved a wide range of technologies including automotive and locomotive developments, e-commerce systems, light-emitting diode applications, biotechnology, numerous consumer products, dietary supplements and computer software. Tom has also handled numerous appeals before the Federal Circuit, 5th and 6th Circuit Courts of Appeal. Tom actively advises clients on the management, enforcement and licensing of intellectual property. He has also worked closely with clients to help them avoid the intellectual property of others, including participating in designing around patents. Tom builds the trust of his clients by maintaining close contact. He believes that to adequately counsel his clients, it is necessary to develop a full understanding of the clients’ business and its goals. By doing what he promises and following up on a regular basis, Tom has been successful in building long-term relationships with his clients.