International Intellectual Property

Erin Bowles is an experienced patent attorney with a well-rounded background in counseling domestic and international clients. She applies her industry experience and expansive understanding of mechanical, material and electrical technologies to her practice. Erin's practice involves counseling domestic and international clients from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies on their intellectual property portfolios, with a focus on obtaining domestic and foreign patents and handling patent prosecution procedures. Her practice also includes patentability investigations, infringement and right-to-use analysis, and intellectual property transactions and licensing agreements, trademark, trade dress, and copyright issues. Erin has an expansive understanding of various mechanical and electromechanical technologies. In particular, she has experience representing clients and protecting intellectual property rights in the alternative energy, medical device, automotive technology, optics and lighting, aviation technology, and personal care product industries, among others. Erin brings nearly a decade of engineering experience to her law practice. During this time, Erin gained technical experience in a broad range of positions including product design, manufacturing, program management and technical sales. These experiences provide Erin with an expansive understanding of broad range of technologies such as solar power, plastic injection molding, and complex automotive sensors and control systems. While working for major international companies, Erin's involvement extended beyond daily engineering activities and crossed international boundaries. For example, Erin managed the development of advanced components from a network of global facilities and coordinated with foreign subsidiaries to design and manufacture products for international programs. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Erin worked at an intellectual property firm, as well as in the legal department of an automotive original equipment manufacturer. She also studied international patent law at the Max Plank Institute in Munich. While in Munich, Erin learned about the patent process at the European Patent Office and met with the intellectual property departments of several international companies. This combination of diverse experiences provides Erin with an excellent understanding of the many aspects of intellectual property. Moreover, Erin's experience gives her insight into the intellectual property management challenges for both domestic and international companies in today`s global marketplace. When she is not at the office, you are most likely to find Erin on the water paddle boarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kiteboarding, or pretty much any water sport. She also enjoys travelling, and her goal is to visit a new country every year.

Taylor Norton is a registered patent attorney and an engineer. He may be contacted at (504) 858-0198 for a consultation. He has extensive experience covering all forms of intellectual property and performing transactional work covering a wide range of contracts and business transactions, including domestic and international. His practice is focused on serving the needs of clients with patents, trademarks, copyrights, LLC formation, contracting, branding, and product development. His comprehensive IP practice covers patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He has extensive knowledge and experience in corporate and commercial transactions, including technology licensing, contracts, IP assignments, manufacturing agreements, operating agreements, and product development agreements. His patent drafting, prosecution, and technology licensing experience encompasses a wide range of technologies, including computer science, electrical, and electro-mechanical engineering, power generation, oil and gas, civil construction methods, life sciences, chemical compositions, peptides and amino acid sequencing, paint compositions, medical devices and bypass procedures, and mobile applications. He advises clients on domestic and international trademark protection, including the registration, licensing and enforcement of trademark rights. His comprehensive trademark practice helps clients to build, protect and monetize their corporate images, names, brands, products, and business lines. He represents clients in trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Taylor provides strategic counsel to clients on corporate structuring and the formation of business entities, including limited liability companies and special-purpose-entities, meeting the needs of his clients. Taylor is the Author of the legal and business guidebook Louisiana Limited Liability Company: Forms and Practice Manual, published by Data Trace Publishing Company.

Mr. Gibson is one of the premier business and intellectual property attorneys practicing in Las Vegas. Not only is Mr. Gibson one of the most experienced attorneys in Nevada practicing in intellectual property and business areas, Mr. Gibson’s practice in Tokyo with one of the nation’s largest law firms as well as in Chicago with a major, international Chicago-based law firm provides a level of experience very few, if any, attorneys in Las Vegas can claim is comparable. Indeed, Mr. Gibson’s experience as an attorney spans nearly twenty-five years and is international in scope. Ranging from years of in-country practice experience in Japan to years of practice in his hometown of Chicago, Mr. Gibson’s experience is hardly only Nevada-based. That having been said, Mr. Gibson’s experience spanning well over a decade as an attorney in Las Vegas has made him well aware of the unique issues faced by companies doing business in or with respect to Nevada. Mr. Gibson focuses his practice in the areas of intellectual property and representation of business clients with respect to contracts, entity formation and commercial litigation. With respect to intellectual property, Mr. Gibson has counseled clients with respect to thousands of trademarks and service marks, has prosecuted hundreds of trademarks to registration and has engaged in numerous trademark litigation cases. Mr. Gibson also drafted hundreds of contracts involving intellectual property assets, protecting the full range of such assets, such as patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intangible assets. Mr. Gibson has also been, and continues to be, the primary attorney in a range of cases involving disputes regarding patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret infringement and the misappropriation of other intangible assets. Mr. Gibson’s representation has included some of Nevada’s largest companies and through the years, his representation has included some of the world’s largest companies. Indeed, Mr. Gibson feels very fortunate to have maintained representation relationships with large media companies, large gaming/casino companies, large software development companies and a range of companies in a wide array of industries. Mr. Gibson’s client relationships range across the country and around the world.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Michael A. Essien is a Principal and Counsel with the Essien Law Office, practicing intellectual property law with a focus on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and e-commerce. Mr. Essien’s background includes both corporate and law firm experience. He is a patent attorney and supports his clients’ needs for patents, trademarks, opinions, copyrights, strategic planning, e-commerce, technology transfer agreements and client counseling regarding corporate and intellectual property protection. He is an international intellectual property consultant supporting research institutions in Africa. Mr. Essien supports businesses in entity formation and selection, agreements and licensing issues, including litigation management. He also supports several non-profit organizations as their legal counsel, assisting them on legal issues, including organization and IRS recognition. Mr. Essien is admitted to practice in the State of Minnesota, before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is a member of Ramsey County Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association and the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. He frequently speaks on Intellectual Property Law and related issues and is an Adjunct Professor at Concordia and Strayer Universities. Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Essien worked for several years as a quality, process and new product development engineer at 3M. He is a named inventor on two issued US patents. He has extensive experience in adhesives, film technology, process engineering and start-ups. Mr. Essien received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. His J.D. is from William Mitchell College of Law where he was a member of the Law Review. Mr. Essien was the recipient of the William Mitchell Alumni Association Student Award of Merit for exceptional contributions to the College. He volunteers with several organizations, is a board member of VOOM Foundation and Books for Africa and President of Association of Nigerian Engineers in Minnesota (ANEM).

Marc is the Co-Chair of Brooks Kushman's intellectual property litigation practice. He has been instrumental in building, developing, and growing the team. Throughout his career, Marc has successfully tried patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright cases in Federal Courts nationwide. Marc has successfully argued appeals before the Federal Circuit including a leading decision on 101 jurisprudence, Ancora Techs., Inc. v. HTC Americas, Inc., 908 F.3d 1343 (Fed. Cir. 2018). Marc, as lead counsel, has also been prevailed in several investigations as both Complainant and Respondent in the International Trade Commission. Marc has extensive litigation experience from jury selection; presenting opening statements; examining (direct and cross) fact and expert witnesses; giving closing arguments; conducting Markman hearings; successfully arguing preliminary injunction motions; drafting successful discovery briefs, claim construction briefs, summary judgment briefs, and appeal briefs; managing electronic discovery activities; coordinating large document productions; and negotiating settlement, licensing and acquisition agreements. Marc’s current practice includes experience with Post-Grant Proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has counseled clients in over 50 proceedings, and these proceedings continue to play major role in his patent litigation strategy. Marc has also been involved in several re-examination requests and the associated prosecution relating to patents in litigation. Marc graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2001. Marc was the valedictorian of his graduating class and was an editor of the Law Review. Marc has a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated magna cum laude. Marc’s degrees and work experience in both mechanical and chemical engineering allow him to handle cases involving many different technologies. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Marc Lorelli was a patent agent at an automotive corporation. During his three years in that role, he gained extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting chemical, mechanical and electrical patent applications. Marc understands how to meet his clients’ patent prosecution needs, since he was a client himself. Marc learned first-hand about client expectations and how best to service clients. This experience is invaluable to Marc’s current practice, which involves a great deal of client counseling in both prosecution and litigation matters. Outside of the office, Marc enjoys family ski vacations out west, but otherwise stays busy with his three daughters who all play hockey. Marc plays hockey himself, and tries to catch the occasional round of golf in what little free time he has.

Michael Turner is a dynamic patent attorney with wide-ranging legal expertise in patent law and works closely with clients to ensure that patent portfolios align with international protection and enforcement strategies. Michael Turner’s passion for learning led him to a career in patent law. He applies that drive to every project and obtains patents that are relied upon to protect technology, which has resulted in significant licensing and enforcement. Many of these patents have withstood the scrutiny of challenges at various US district courts, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Patent Trial & Appeal Board of the US Patent & Trademark Office. Michael has the experience and foresight to obtain intellectual property rights to withstand such challenges. Due to Michael’s experience with obtaining patents for enforcement, he is also sought for prosecution of patent applications with an eye towards litigation. Likewise, Michael also has significant experience with prosecution of patents during reexamination and reissue prosecution. A primary focus of Michael Turner's practice is domestic and foreign patent prosecution for mechanical matters, electromechanical matters, systems, methods, and designs. His industry background in robotics and automation provides him with experience in various technologies and manufacturing processes. Michael counsels clients on procedures for filing domestic patent applications that meet the varying requirements for both domestic and international protection and enforcement, particularly addressing the various international nuances associated with design patents. This counseling includes generating procedures for efficient collection of invention and design disclosures to streamline internal processes. Michael’s experience includes preparing, prosecuting, and managing international patent and industrial design portfolios. This experience includes developing strategies for obtaining strong patent protection in many countries. Due to his experience and understanding of the laws and procedures of many commercially significant countries, Michael efficiently seeks broad and consistent international protection. Michael is actively involved in post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He represents clients in Inter Partes Review proceedings, reexaminations, and reissue patent applications. Such involvement includes coordinating strategies across post-grant proceedings, co-pending litigation, product engineering, licensing, and patent prosecution. Michael is active in appellate practice and oral advocacy before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent & Trademark Office. One of Michael’s strengths involves analyzing complex legal and technical issues for client counseling to mitigate risks associated with commercialization of technology. This ability enables him to assist clients to bring a product to market by guiding their design through the patent portfolios of competitors. This also enables him to protect the core technologies of a client. He is often assigned to protect such technologies where licensing and/or enforcement are necessary; and the strongest protection is required. Consequently, Michael cooperates with litigation counsel (domestic and international), coordinating efforts between the protection and enforcement of technologies. He also negotiates licenses, to reach agreements between parties to avoid litigation. Michael likes to lead by example in his practice and within Brooks Kushman. He is a co-chair of the Patent Prosecution department. He is also on the Brooks Kushman Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Michael participates in recruiting and training, as well as chairing monthly and quarterly internal legal education seminars. Michael also has a passion for educating. As a leader of the Patent Prosecution department, he is active with the coordination of the ever-changing laws, procedures, strategies, and technologies. Michael is one of the teachers of the Brooks Kushman claims drafting training class. Michael participates in the Brooks Kushman mentor program. Michael is a former Co-Chair of the mentor program of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, wherein he helped draft the mentor guidelines. He typically mentors the development of new hires, including lawyers, patent agents, clerks, and patent engineers. Michael helps the firm stay current on developments in the law and the practice by coordinating internal legal education seminars. Michael feels this experience helps build the firm, helps build strong teams for clients, and helps him explain complex matters to clients, patent examiners, and others. In his spare time, Michael loves to do outdoor activities with his family and dogs. Michael also enjoys obtaining patents for inventors with the Michigan Pro Bono Patent Project of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

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.

EXPERIENCE: ScaleUp Legal – Managing Partner Miami, FL • Manage formation and development of ScaleUp program for startups seeking representation and counsel to raise capital, overcoming due diligence difficulties, and structuring deals. • Qualify, evaluate, and manage affiliated PE investments and portfolio of startups. • Counsel US and global clients (businesses and executives), on corporate structure, immigration, PE/VC, international tax, compliance, and complex international transactions. • Review, negotiate, and supervise hundreds of commercial, procurement, and licensing contracts, DPAs, and more with clients, vendors, and partners . • Counsel clients on the legal aspects of investing in blockchain technology and making other cryptocurrency investments. • Counsel domestic and international (including Egypt, Philippines, Spain, and Argentina) clients on entity formation in Delaware, Florida, and Nevada, tax implications, registered agents, power of attorney, and tax IDs for corporate and individual clients. • Search, and file for, new trademarks, respond to office actions, and manage trademarks. CoachHub – Sr. Legal Counsel Miami, FL and Berlin, Germany • As VP and officer of the US subsidiary, negotiate and manage hundreds of deals in the US, Latin America (including Brazil), and Spain. Counsel and negotiate with C-level executives, on corporate structure, immigration, PE/VC (more than $300M raised in VC), international tax, compliance, and complex international transactions. • Review and determine adequacy of software as service platforms, and their compliance with our internal requirements as well as FedRAMP, GovCloud, GDPR, CCPA, SOC II, and ISO. • Hire, lead, and mentor team members in the UK, Germany, and the US by examining their work, setting priorities, providing feedback, and facilitating improvements and growth. • Work with Human Resources to establish a nationwide employment strategy minimizing labor costs and risks for a workforce of around 150 employees across 27 states and several countries. • Clients and partners included Silicon Valley Bank, Amazon, Meta, Twitter, T. Rowe Price, Capital One, Kellogg's, Thomson Reuters, Repsol, Banco Santander, and more. Indiana Department of Workforce Development – Investigator Miami, FL and Indianapolis, IN • Determined the facts and created a record relevant to the claimants’ claims by using questioning techniques similar to the ones used for deposition, direct, and cross examination. • Applied relevant Indiana labor law and jurisprudence to assist in adjudicating unemployment and COVID-19 pandemic benefits claims. Maine Department of Labor – Appeals Hearing Officer Miami, FL and Augusta, ME • Heard appeals from unemployment claimants in the state of Maine and applied relevant law concerning unemployment benefits and emergency assistance related to COVID-19. • Conducted hearings with claimants over the phone, created a record, and made decisions over the qualifications of claimants to receive unemployment benefits. • Affirmed or reversed decisions by unemployment benefit deputies based on the record created during the hearings and the applicable law. M3N – Founder Miami, FL and Barcelona, Spain • Founded M3N, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and established the corporate documents necessary for corporate governance and operations in Florida. • Developed the business and technology to invest in triple net CRE using data science. • Through the COVID-19 pandemic, developed and leveraged the network of contacts necessary to raise the funds necessary to begin operations and deploy capital. Trueba & Suarez – IP Law Miami, FL • Drafted motions for Federal court, State court, and TTAB proceedings. Drafted responses to USPTO office actions. Provided litigation support including document management, document review, eDiscovery, and client coordination. • Researched and summarized TMEP, the Hague convention (for service on international defendants), Federal (Lanham Act, DMCA, and the Copyright Act), and Florida statutes related to trade secrets, international copyrights, trademarks, and franchises. • Initiated, followed up with, negotiated, and delivered take down notices, demand letters, and cease and desist letters to content and service providers (like YouTube, GoDaddy, and others) and opposing parties as necessary to protect the intellectual property rights of our clients. • Evaluated searches performed by outside vendors on trademarks and patents. Evaluated potential pre, and post, AIA patent cases, patent office actions, and patents used by examiner to deny patents. InternetDynamo – Founder Miami, FL • Acquired clients generating more than $800,000 in revenue per year. • Led the team responsible for the design, deployment, growth, and maintenance of the hosting infrastructure necessary to sustain the website ranked number 20 in traffic in the world. • Led the design and development, with a team of DBAs, the cluster database infrastructure responsible for hundreds of millions of transactions per day spanning several databases, servers, networks, and geographic locations. EDUCATION: Universidad de Barcelona, Facultad de Derecho Barcelona, Spain Grado en Derecho (Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B.)/Bachelor of Law) – EU Law and Data Privacy University of California - Berkeley, School of Law Berkeley, CA Legum Magister (LL.M.)/Master of Law – Intellectual Property (IP) Nova Southeastern University, College of Engineering and Computing Miami, FL Master of Science in Management Information Systems (M.MIS) – Data Science Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law Ft. Lauderdale, FL Juris Doctor (J.D.) – International Law & Civil Law Stetson University College of Law: Tampa, FL International Institute of Social Studies The Hague, Netherlands Truman Bodden Law School Georgetown, Grand Cayman Florida Institute of Technology, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Melbourne, FL Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), cum laude – Business Administration & Computer Information Systems OTHERS: Native Reader, Writer, and Speaker of Legal and Business English and Spanish Member of the Florida Bar – Bar No. 1027712 Miami, FL CIPP/US Miami, FL Startup @ Berkeley Law/VC University – Certificate in VC Berkeley, CA Chairman of Board of Our Children, Our Future (non-profit) Hollywood, FL Nova Southeastern University – Certificate in Civil Law Ft. Lauderdale, FL University of California, Berkeley – Certificate in Law and Technology (IP) Berkeley, CA InfraGard, South Florida Members Alliance Miami, FL Nova Southeastern University – Certificate in International Law Ft. Lauderdale, FL HNBA/Microsoft, Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI) Scholar Washington, DC Master Swimmer Miami, FL