As an intellectual property lawyer who focuses on a wide range of patent matters, Andrew (Andy) enjoys working with large companies to help develop and enforce patent portfolios, as well as start-up companies and individual inventors who have good ideas but need a forward-thinking legal strategy that allows them to protect R&D investment and attract investors.

As chair of M&G’s post-grant practice group, Andy is well-versed in all aspects of post-grant patent challenge proceedings, including reexamination and post-grant trial proceedings, as well as PTAB appeals and reissue applications. Andy has been named counsel (lead and backup) in over twenty PTAB trials, on behalf of both patent owners and petitioners. These trials have spanned various technology areas, from semiconductors and circuits, to medical devices, to agricultural equipment and environmental products, to food science. Andy has also managed reexamination proceedings (ex parte and inter partes) representing both patentees and accused infringers.

Andy also serves as vice-chair of Merchant & Gould’s electrical and software practice group and has extensive patent prosecution and counseling experience. Andy provides intellectual property counseling, analyzes patentability and clearance issues, and drafts and prosecutes patent applications. He has technical experience in diverse electrical, electronic, and mechanical technology fields, including computer architecture, electronic control systems, medical devices, communications networks and protocols, power distribution systems, database management systems, operating systems, digital content encryption and distribution, and business methods. As part of that practice, Andy has successfully created IP protection strategies for several start-up companies that match the company’s growth goals and timing and has developed licensed patent portfolios for established companies.

Andy also has litigation experience in a number of cases associated with software systems and has developed numerous infringement, validity, and enforceability positions, as well as preparing briefs and pleadings.

Prior to practicing law, Andy worked for Intel Corporation, where he focused on desktop computer architecture modeling and performance analysis. This experience has helped him in understanding technology issues, as well as day-to-day schedules of inventors and patent counsel, and what they want and need in intellectual property protection.

At Merchant & Gould, Andy also does pro bono work for non-profit organizations as well as for low-income inventors through the LegalCORPS Inventor Assistance Program. He runs, plays golf, goes to concerts, and brews beer in his limited spare time.