Energy

Rita concentrates her practice in intellectual property including patent, trademark, copyright, unfair competition, and trade secret counseling, prosecution, licensing and litigation. Ms. Chipperson’s patent practice includes business method, electrical, mechanical, Internet, and software patents. She has experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications, assessing business potential for existing patents and patent portfolios, preparing infringement, patentability, and validity analyses, licensing, and litigating for clients involving a wide variety of industries and technologies including artificial spinal disks; automation systems; biological and chemical contaminant detection systems; broadband devices; call logging systems; call processing systems; coaxial integrated test sockets; communication systems; data compression; electronic textbooks; KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switching; information technology systems; integrated audiotext internet advertisement services; multi-party telephone control systems; portable multi-function (facsimile, print, copy, and scan) machines; powder coating generation via electron beam charging; power supply modulation based upon instantaneous microprocessor demand; REMICs (Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits); shrinkable high voltage termination systems; telephone data organization systems; telephonic-interface statistical analysis; tranching mortgage-backed securities; variable inductors; virtual private networks; voice-data telephonic interface; wireless recording systems; and XML (extensible markup language).Ms. Chipperson also has experience counseling clients regarding selection of names, domain names, logos, and slogans with an aim of achieving state, U.S., and/or international trademark registration and/or avoiding trademark infringement including performance and analysis of trademark searches and preparation and prosecution of trademark applications. She also has experience negotiating trademark settlement agreements and representing clients accused of trademark infringement. Additionally, she has experience in trademark cancellation and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).Before entering the practice of law, Ms. Chipperson held consulting and design engineer positions with Johnson Controls, Inc. and Cosentini Associates, where she was responsible for energy and construction consulting including contract negotiations, energy analysis and automation system design. An entrepreneur, Ms. Chipperson founded and was president of ProActive Systems, Inc., an energy and construction consulting firm based in New Jersey that provided domestic and international contract negotiations, energy analysis and automation system design.Prior to starting her own practice, Ms. Chipperson practiced intellectual property law with Ward & Olivo (in both NY and NJ). Ms. Chipperson also served as Of Counsel to Flaster Greenberg. Ms. Chipperson is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association; the John J. Gibbons American Inn of Court for Intellectual Property Law, the Morris County Bar Association, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey State Bar Association, New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, and the Venture Association of New Jersey.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of California at Berkeley Law School, Mr. Muller has been practicing law in Denver, Colorado for more than 45 years. His practice has emphasized all aspects of business law, for both United States and international businesses. Mr. Muller brings extensive experience to his practice. Over a 20-year period, he was vice president and general counsel for Samsonite™ Corporation and general counsel for Gates® Corporation. He was also with the Gorsuch, Kirgis law firm, and the Conover, McClean and Heppenstall law firm, in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, Mr. Muller has a wealth of experience in the development and operation of private power projects in Colorado, serving as Executive Director of the Colorado Independent Energy Association for 20 years.

Cavin & Morgan, P.A., is a sophisticated energy and business law practice in Albuquerque. Our boutique law firm has extensive experience handling oil and gas and wind and solar issues ranging from transactions and litigation to title and regulatory matters. Our clients include oil and gas producers, mineral rights owners, surface owners, wind and solar landowners and developers, creditors and others navigating complex energy law matters in New Mexico and throughout the region. In addition, we serve clients with business law, contract and probate needs in New Mexico. Our finely honed negotiation and litigation skills allow us to protect the interests of business owners and families in a broad range of these areas of law.

John Vukmanovic is the co–founder and a partner of Delman Vukmanovic LLP. John is highly regarded among his peers in the legal communities of Los Angeles and Orange counties. His highly aggressive, yet sensible approach to civil litigation routinely yields successful outcomes for his new and returning clients. Top Civil Litigation Lawyer in Los Angeles and Orange County As a “bulldog” litigator and consummate trial attorney, John’s comprehensive background in civil litigation comprises a long string of successful outcomes for clients facing complex business and real estate litigation, as well as employment, professional liability and intellectual property disputes. While each case is different, John approaches all civil disputes the same way: striving for maximum effectiveness and leverage in civil litigation while maintaining efficiency. Large Firm Litigation Experience John acquired his early legal experience in the insurance industry, subsequently rising to prominence as an attorney with the large national law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, and later with the high–profile business and entertainment litigation firm of Freedman & Taitelman, LLP. His experience makes him uniquely qualified to understand his clients’ challenges, and to achieve their ultimate goals. Community Involvement John proactively dedicates a significant amount of time assisting individuals of limited means in pro bono matters and devotes energy to a range of charitable organizations in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Recognized for Superlative Results and Service as Business Litigation Attorney Among his achievements, John has been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as a “Litigation Star” and named by Los Angeles Magazine as a Southern California “Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation. “Super Lawyers,” a peer–designated honor, is bestowed upon only the top five percent of lawyers practicing in California. In addition, John has been awarded Martindale–Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, an honor conferred by his clients in appreciation of John’s value in quality of service, communication skills, and professional diligence.

Scott Cole is a Partner in the Atlanta office and works with several of the firm’s practice groups. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Cole has a civil engineering degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Mr. Cole is a senior member of the Transactional Practice Group. He focuses his energy on the sale of medical offices, including dental offices, to larger groups. In connection with this, he has worked with many of the larger national and regional DSOs. He represents clients, including technology, communications and energy companies, on a variety of matters ranging from entity selection, organizational structuring, transaction structuring, and working with clients through day-to-day and extraordinary business transactions. Mr. Cole works with corporate clients to identify strategic goals and assists them through initial planning, negotiations, and project completion. Mr. Cole worked as outside counsel to a suburban Atlanta county, local water authority, and currently serves as city attorney for Mansfield, GA. In those capacities, he drafted and reviewed various contracts, including GDOT and multi-million dollar construction contracts; drafted various ordinances and resolutions; and advised local officials on land acquisition, policy, and other matters.

Dr. Kasraie is a founding member of Kasraie & Fodor, LLC. He has well over 30 years of legal and executive business experience in several industries, including banking, finance, energy, real estate, manufacturing, recycling, IT, and pharmaceuticals. He has resolved legal, financial, corporate, and political issues in the UAE, U.K., France, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Romania, Turkey, Poland, Republic of Georgia, Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, India, Pakistan, Peoples' Republic of China, Taiwan, Canada, etc. He holds several degrees, including J.D. and Ph.D. in engineering. In the late nineties, Dr. Kasraie co-founded the law firm of Marchman & Kasraie, LLC. The firm was active in corporate and security law, international law, and family law. He was a managing member of the law firm. In 2012, he co-founded the law firm of Kasraie & Fodor, LLC with similar activities. In addition, Dr. Kasraie has been the Financial and Economic Advisor to City Governments in the People's Republic of China (PRC) since 1998.

Build Your Business with A World-Class Attorney Experienced in the Law of Business, Technology, and Intellectual Property

David Niebauer is an attorney with over 25 years of domestic and international corporate finance experience, with a particular focus on technology companies and intellectual property. He works with companies at all stages from start-up through seed and VC/private equity funding, IPO, mergers and acquisitions. David often works with innovative companies as contract General Counsel, and has done so for companies including Smart Wires Inc. (www.smartwires.com), Brillouin Energy Corp. (https://brillouinenergy.com/), Charm Industrial (https://charmindustrial.com/), SRECTrade, Inc. (https://www.srectrade.com/), TerraPass, Inc., Carbonflow Corp., and Energy Transition Ventures (https://energytransitionventures.com/). Prior to forming his private practice, David was a Partner with Graham and James LLP (now Squire Patton Boggs) where he specialized in securities law, venture capital financing and mergers and acquisitions. David received his B.A. from the State University of New York, magna cum laude, his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from the Brooklyn Law School, where he was Articles Editor of the Journal of International Law.

Alena Marconi is an experienced, hands-on patent prosecution attorney with an extensive background in chemical, materials, and environmental solutions sciences. She guides and advises her clients with high-quality legal advice and strategic thinking. Alena’s practice focuses on domestic and foreign patent prosecution in the chemical, materials science, green tech, and mechanical arts. She counsels clients of all sizes in a wide range of industries including automotive, chemical, horticultural applications, environmental remediation, green technologies, alternative energy generation, industrial processes, medical devices, polymers, coatings, fuel cells, batteries, catalytic converters, packaging, and additives. Alena is admitted to practice in Michigan and before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Alena holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Materials Technology from Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic, as well as a Master of Science in Chemistry from Oakland University. Her undergraduate, graduate studies, and research focused on macromolecular chemistry, environmental technology, and toxicology. Ms. Vackova graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in May 2012 with a Juris Doctor degree. During her law school studies, she earned five certificates of merit and served as an Assistant Board Editor on the Cooley Law School Law Review as well as a Secretary for the Student Intellectual Property Law Association and Veterans Organization. Besides English, Alena is fluent in Czech, Slovak, and has a working knowledge of German and additional Slavic languages. In her free time, she’s an avid photographer who loves to spend time with her family exploring Michigan and the rest of the world or running 5K races.

Attorney Jay Lauer has been practicing law in the state of Indiana for 40 years, but his love and passion for the law actually goes back further than that. Jay's journey into law began when he decided to go to school at Valparaiso in 1972. As an integral member of the track team, Jay worked hard to split his time between studying and running. As a political science major, his classes touched on both law and theology -- a combination that quickly ignited a passion and drive to help people in need. Upon graduation in 1975, Jay immediately decided to enter law school and was quickly accepted into the Valparaiso University School of Law. From there, Jay decided to forego any future as a track athlete so that he could focus all of his time and energy on studying the law. In just three short years, Jay was able to graduate with his Juris Doctorate while also passing the Indiana Bar -- all in the year of 1978. Through hard work and relentless dedication, Jay was also admitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District in the same year, providing him the opportunity to officially begin practicing law. Soon after, Jay caught the attention of the Legal Services of Northern Indiana where Jay would be brought on board to focus on family law. For 10 years Jay would work for the Legal Services of Northern Indiana, broadening his experience and knowledge to extend beyond family law and into the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. After over a decade of working with legal services, Jay decided it was time to strike out on his own so that he could focus his services on an area close to home -- the Michiana region. After careful consideration and planning, Jay founded his very own firm, Jay Lauer Attorney at Law, in South Bend, Indiana. With his own firm, Jay felt he could now focus on the areas of the law that are not only best suited to his strengths but areas that could also help make a difference in the Northern Indiana community. Since the firm opened its doors in 1988, Jay has helped countless clients deal with issues of personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. Focusing on these areas has allowed Jay to use the extensive knowledge gathered over the years to help clients through difficult situations when they often felt like they had nowhere else to turn. Through it all, Jay Lauer believes that every person, regardless of circumstance, has the right to have their case heard. If you or someone you love is facing a difficult legal issue in the Michiana region, we invite you to reach out to our firm to learn more about Jay Lauer's experience and commitment to making a difference in the South Bend community.