After graduating from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Michael started his career in aerospace as a systems engineer with Northrop Grumman in the early 90s. After four productive years in the industry, Michael wanted a bit more variety while building on his engineering degree and so decided to change direction by entering law school with a goal of becoming a patent attorney. While in law school, Mike earned the Exceptional Achievement Award for Patent Law and the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Antitrust Law in law school. Once fresh out of law school with a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, Michael entered the legal profession in 1997 by working as an associate for an intellectual property (IP) boutique firm that provided him with experience in all aspects of IP law and, in particular, a heavy emphasis on patent law. Eager to expand on his role with assisting entrepreneurs and innovators across all aspects of the innovation process, Mike founded Advantage IP Law Firm located in Seal Beach, California in 2004 where he currently practices.
Mike’s current practice mainly focuses on IP related prosecution and transactional work for small and medium-sized businesses to help build, secure, and manage their IP portfolios in support of their business goals. Long-term strategies for building sustainable competitive advantages using the IP system are a big component of his counseling. Mike is also familiar with a considerable range of technology and prosecuted well over 100 patents.
Mike enjoys educating his clients about the IP system, providing business resources other patent attorneys just don’t have, and taking the time to learn about each client’s business plans for guiding their products into the marketplace. Mike knows that each client, business plan, and innovation is unique and requires a tailored IP strategy to support such innovative efforts. He has spent countless hours studying the innovation process to better assist clients with bringing innovative products and services to the marketplace and gain precious market share.
Some groups I belong to:
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Bar Association
- Intellectual Property Law Section
- Law Practice Management Section
- General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division
- California State Bar (Reg. No. 192,348)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (Reg. No. 44,092)
- Kiva.org (social entrepreneurship)
- 5000bc (Psychotactics Online Community)
- International Trademark Association (INTA) LinkedIn Group
- Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) LinkedIn Group
- Outdoor Sporting Goods Connections LinkedIn Group
- Southwestern Law School Alumni LinkedIn Group
- The Official USC Alumni Association Group LinkedIn Group
- US Patent Attorneys/Agents LinkedIn Group
In case, you were wondering, here’s a list of patents and technology I have worked on – Sample Patents.
A list of influences and knowledge base may be found at – Books I’ve Read.