Intellectual property law firm Merchant & Gould announced that D. Kent Stier has joined the firm as an associate in its Atlanta office.

"Kent brings a remarkable set of technical credentials with a focus on computer software, electronics, fiber optics, business methods, and telecommunications," said Leonard Hope, managing director of Merchant & Gould's Atlanta office. "With more than a decade of experience in real-world engineering, Kent has an incredible depth of understanding in technology. This experience, combined with his experience in intellectual property, will be a remarkable benefit to our clients."

Stier is a member of Merchant & Gould's electronics and computer law practice group. His practice involves patent procurement, patent prosecution, and opinion writing.

Prior to entering, and during law school, Mr. Stier worked for 14 years in the electric utility industry, holding various engineering and engineering management positions. Mr. Stier has been a registered professional engineer in the state of Georgia since 1990.

Stier obtained his J.D. from Georgia State University. He also holds a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Evansville.