Brett J. Smith has a decade of experience securing domestic and foreign patents for clients ranging from small startups to large U.S. and global corporations. In addition to patent preparation and prosecution, he regularly conducts patentability investigations and infringement and freedom-to-operate analyses. He also negotiates and prepares intellectual property agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, confidentiality agreements, and other types of commercial agreements involving IP. Brett counsels clients on privacy matters, advising on GDPR requirements and various state consumer privacy laws. His diverse practice includes IP litigation and patent post-issuance proceedings, providing clients with a full range of patent portfolio management tools. He has assisted in representing clients through all phases of litigation, from discovery to trial. Brett works with clients across a variety of technical fields, including automotive technologies, commercial vehicles, aviation technologies, robotics manufacturing, medical devices, garage door systems, irrigation products, packaging, consumer products, electronic products, acoustic devices, industrial systems, information technology, and agricultural machinery. Brett is committed to understanding each client’s business, allowing him to tailor his approach to their specific needs and help them achieve their business goals.

Abdulai Rashid is a skilled attorney with experience in the biomedical and automotive industries. Abdulai Rashid focuses his practice on patent prosecution and litigation in the biomedical and automotive fields. He has experience in contract drafting for trademark applications, as well as aiding clients with turning their ideas into businesses or patentable inventions. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Abdulai gained extensive experience in dispute resolution after founding Penn State Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. During this time, he coordinated 20 students through 8 competitions in negotiation and mediation. He also participated in the Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic in which he was responsible for connecting the Pennsylvania community to counsel and resources to drive businesses and link them to various invention development centers and opportunities. Abdulai holds a Juris Doctor from Penn State Law School. He also received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Central Methodist University. Outside of the office, Abdulai enjoys weightlifting, yoga, running, and building figurines.

Yasmeen Moradshahi is a driven patent attorney with a focus on electrical and mechanical engineering, combining hands-on technical experience with a strong foundation in intellectual property law. Yasmeen Moradshahi is a dedicated patent attorney specializing in patent prosecution and litigation with a focus on electrical and mechanical engineering, particularly in the automotive sector. She brings a wealth of hands-on experience from her time working at a major automotive company, where she contributed to the manufacturing controls simulation lab, diesel launch team, and patent profiling in the IP department. Before joining Brooks Kushman as an attorney, Yasmeen spent three years as a Technical Specialist with the firm, building a strong foundation in intellectual property law. She earned her Juris Doctor from Detroit Mercy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University. Outside of her legal practice, Yasmeen enjoys reading, baking, traveling, weightlifting, and practicing Pilates.

Jim Kushman is the senior founding member of Brooks Kushman. His practice focuses on protection of inventions in the mechanical and electro-mechanical arts. With 50 years of intellectual property law experience, Jim has an in-depth understanding of various technologies, particularly in the automotive, glass processing, plastic blow molding, manufacturing, and consumer products industries. Jim continues to share his knowledge with the firm based on his experience with clients of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 500 Corporations to small and mid-sized companies. He takes a proactive approach to understand his clients’ business interests and align IP strategies with those interests in mind. He helps his clients identify “white-space” in the market for new product development and IP investment. Jim has a long-standing practice working with clients to manage global patent portfolios. He continues to counsel select clients on both domestic and international filings with respect to utility and design patents. Throughout his career, he has worked with companies around the world to manage patent portfolios.

Charles Bieneman specializes in patent prosecution, counseling, and opinions for clients across industries such as automotive, telecommunications, and aerospace. Charles Bieneman is a seasoned intellectual property attorney specializing in patent prosecution, counseling, and opinions for clients in industries such as automotive, telecommunications, and aerospace. With a career spanning technical, legal, and managerial roles, Charles brings a multifaceted approach to providing comprehensive intellectual property strategies. Charles spent the early part of his career as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he examined claim inventions in the areas of computer software, databases, and the World Wide Web. This foundational experience gave him an in-depth understanding of the patent examination process and the inner workings of the USPTO. Building on this, Charles held management positions with two computer software companies where he developed extensive expertise in software development, project management, and consulting, equipping him with a strong technical acumen and practical insights into product development and innovation. In addition, Charles also gained experience as an attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Washington, D.C. office of a national law firm. Charles graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School where he was a Note Editor on the Michigan Law Review. He is also a graduate of the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Computer Science as well as a B.A. from St. John’s College in Sante Fe. In his free time, Charles likes hiking, cooking, and reading.

Stephanie M. Mansfield, Ph.D. is a registered patent agent with a focus on the biomedical and mechanical arts. Stephanie Mansfield is a registered patent agent with over 25 years of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the biomedical and mechanical arts, with particular emphasis in the areas of medical, orthopedic, and biomechanical devices, surgical instruments, tissue engineering, audio equipment, and consumer products. For example, Stephanie has drafted patents many directed to joint prostheses, engineered tissues, drug-delivery devices, and consumer products which have been enforced or licensed, some for multi-million dollar sums. Stephanie’s multi-disciplinary doctoral research combined the areas of muscle physiology, biomechanics, plastic surgery, and cell biology. She has found that her scientific background and prior research experience create an instant rapport with many inventors, especially medical doctors and scientists. In addition to patent preparation and prosecution for her clients, Stephanie’s practice includes patentability searches and evaluations, competitor patent and technology monitoring, technical design and product development consulting, technical support for freedom to operate opinions, and all aspects of domestic and foreign portfolio management. Stephanie works with clients of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 500 corporations, to hospitals, universities and research institutions, to smaller start-ups and individual physicians. She has developed client relationships where she is involved in the early stages of a client's product development cycle, where this access allows her to assist clients with decisions regarding new product directions based on her investigation and understanding of current patents and competitors in a particular field. Stephanie finds that responsiveness to a client's intellectual property needs, whatever those may be, is a key factor in maintaining a solid client relationship, as well as being able to anticipate a client's future requirements and proactively provide solutions.

Bill Conger is a patent prosecutor who is passionate about working with his clients and making extensive efforts to understand their inventions and technologies. As a patent lawyer and Co-Chair of Brooks Kushman's chemical practice, Bill instills trust and confidence in his clients. His clients know that they can rely on him to make important decisions that keep their best interests at heart at all times. When there are several alternative paths that can be taken, Bill is skilled at recognizing the one that makes the most business sense for his client. Bill makes extensive efforts to understand his client`s technology and their business goals, making frequent client visits, and even occasionally working on-site for extended periods. Bill works directly with inventors so that he can fully understand their inventions and maximize the scope of all related patents. As a result of his effectiveness and creativity, he has twice been named as a co-inventor on patents. Based on his experience as a former Director of Patents for BASF, Bill developed an extensive international practice, assisting foreign clients in filing applications for inventions first filed in other countries. Bill`s experience allows him to finesse the originally-filed foreign application to obtain the broadest possible protection in the United States, to reduce costs to the client, and to shorten prosecution as well. Bill also takes great pleasure in drafting original patent applications. He likens the process to writing the great American novel because it allows him to weave together a compelling persuasive argument that leaves the audience with enough information to understand the story being told, without encouraging them to start a new one. When not involved with technology or IP issues, Bill enjoys tennis, boating, and hunting for precious gemstones in various areas of the country, particularly the West and Northwest."

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.

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.

William Abbatt is a skilled patent attorney with experience in foreign and domestic patent prosecution matters. He has a background in varying disciplines including manufacturing, chemistry, and medical devices. With 35+ years of experience as a patent attorney, Bill’s practice involves all aspects of domestic and foreign patent preparation, prosecution, and assertion, including dispute resolution. He regularly advises clients on the development and management of patent portfolios. Bill’s practice includes counseling on how to protect various aspects of inventions and monetize them by sale and licensing. Bill has managed intellectual property matters in many technical disciplines including manufacturing, metallurgy, chemistry, medical devices, and aeronautics. His background in industry plus his diverse experience in writing and prosecuting hundreds of patents enable Bill to spot the strengths and weaknesses in a patent when a dispute or enforcement issue arises. He has an affinity for working with emerging entities whose value can be enhanced by effective intellectual property portfolio creation and management to help his clients’ businesses succeed. In one case, he introduced two separate clients – a physician and an entrepreneur – and brought them together to develop and protect medical devices to treat patients and enhance the quality of their lives. Bill is a member of the Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter and currently serves as a co-chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section. He is a former council member of the Aviation Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Bill is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a Master of the Bench (American Inns of Court). He was an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Bill received Super Lawyers designation for 2006 - 2012, 2024. He was selected for this honor subsequent to undergoing an evaluation of many different factors including peer recognition and professional achievement. Bill also served on the steering committee that formed the Michigan Intellectual Property American Inns of Court Chapter and was its President (2017-18). The Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court is a philanthropic organization of judges, lawyers and legal educators that seeks to promote fair and ethical practice amongst junior lawyers and law students. Bill helped to found the Inn and was enthusiastic about moving into a leadership role. Bill was able to take the organization forward, while staying true to its initial goal of promoting excellence in advocacy amongst those it mentors. Bill holds a Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law. Before that, Bill graduated with an M.S. in Operations Research & Production Engineering and a B.S. in Metallurgy & Material Sciences at the University of London, England. He has been appointed an Expert Adviser and Facilitative Mediator in the Federal District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Outside the office, Bill enjoys flying his Beechcraft Debonair airplane, skiing, playing golf and tennis, working out, and traveling to England, his birthplace. He and his wife Candyce count Vail Colorado and Ft Lauderdale as favorite haunts. Bill holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating, a Commercial pilot’s license, and is a Certified Flight Instructor.