Merchant & Gould is proud to announce the promotion of Elisabeth “Bette” S. Muirhead and Joseph W. Dubis, Ph.D. to partner, effective January 1, 2025. Both have consistently exemplified a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and innovation — core values that drive our clients’ success.
“Congratulations to Bette and Joe on this significant milestone,” said Heather Kliebenstein, Managing Partner at Merchant & Gould. “It is a privilege to recognize their talent, unwavering commitment to our clients, and to welcome them into their new roles.”
Elisabeth “Bette” S. Muirhead focuses her practice on intellectual property counseling and litigation, with expertise in patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and related contract issues. She litigates cases in federal and state courts across the United States, alongside handling appellate matters, and representing clients before the International Trade Commission (ITC). With a technical background in biology and chemistry, Bette owns the technical depth to strategically counsel clients in a broad range of industries, including medical devices, consumer products, food & beverage, and manufacturing. She takes a preventative approach to intellectual property strategies, focusing not only on addressing current issues but providing long-term protection for her clients.
Joseph W. Dubis, Ph.D. is an intellectual property litigator focused on complex copyright, patent, trademark, and trade secret matters as well as appellate-level disputes. With a technical background in biology and neuroscience, coupled with a passion for patent law, Joseph has successfully represented clients across the medical devices and sports & fitness industries throughout state and federal courts. Alongside his litigation expertise, he has considerable experience in post-grant proceedings and a strong ability to secure favorable results for his clients.
