Biography

Michael possesses over thirty years of IP experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications, drafting patentability, validity, and infringement opinions, and preparing right-to-make and freedom-to-operate opinions. His expertise extends to IP portfolio maintenance and IP due diligence investigations. He also advises clients on trademark matters including trademark clearance screening, worldwide prosecution of trademark applications, and maintenance of worldwide trademark portfolios.

He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He has spent his career securing patents for clients involved in a wide range of technological fields, including circuit protection devices, semiconductor production equipment, mechanical conveyor systems, spark plugs, automotive ignition systems, and computer control systems for the electric power generation industry. Michael's experience also extends to refractory materials and devices widely used in the steel-making industry, and water treatment systems.

He also possesses extensive experience obtaining patent protection for a variety of medical technologies, including systems for the disinfection of medical devices, surgical room apparatus, molecular diagnostic systems, multiplex biomarker analysis systems, fluid management systems for surgical irrigation, and endoscopes and accessories.

In addition to patents, Michael has also been involved with assisting clients with the procurement of worldwide trademark registrations and the maintenance of large international trademark portfolios.

Michael worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a Patent Examiner in the electrical arts for 5 years. Following graduation from George Washington University Law School, he began practicing as a registered patent attorney, representing individual inventors, small businesses, and large international corporations in obtaining intellectual property protections. In 2001, he joined with IP attorney Mark Kusner, forming the successful IP law firm of Kusner & Jaffe. After more than two decades, the attorneys, staff and clients of Kusner & Jaffe transitioned to Renner Otto.