Joe is the managing partner of Merchant & Gould's Washington, D.C. office and chair of the firm's Chemical & Life Sciences practice group. Patent law is the perfect career for his interest in chemistry, bio/pharma, and the law, allowing him to focus on developing relationships with clients large and small.

Joe's practice is concentrated on client counseling, preparing intellectual property strategies, and patent prosecution. He is experienced in conducting due diligence studies, Section 337 actions before the International Trade Commission, and trademark protection and maintenance.

He focuses in the chemical and bio/pharma areas, including preparation of opinions regarding pharmaceutical products in support of ANDA applications, as well as alternative fuels, including biofuels. Joe has experience in additives, chemical and gas processing, polymer chemistry, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, photographic materials and products, paper chemistry and processing, fiberglass materials, emulsions, including explosive emulsions, ink jet inks and paper and materials for use in optical mass data storage, nanotechnology materials and their applications.

While attending law school, Joe worked in the patent department of a major oil company. He has worked for large Fortune 100 companies as well as small product companies, taking part in preparing their patent portfolios and strategies for each.