As an intellectual property attorney, Ben has experience in patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and enforcing intellectual property through litigation. He spends the majority of his time on his patent practice, which has two core areas of focus: protecting his clients' innovations through the strategic use of intellectual property, and helping clients evaluate potential infringement risks, bringing clarity to the business team so they can make informed decisions on managing those risks.
Ben currently serves as chair of Merchant’s electrical and software practice group. In addition to patent searching, preparation, and prosecution, Ben's experience includes patent reexamination, licensing, and opinions. He frequently works with lawyers around the world to secure international patent rights. With a thorough understanding of U.S. patent laws and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's rules and procedures, as well as a broad understanding of foreign patent laws, Ben is able to devise creative strategies and navigate unique situations for his clients.
His clients include individuals, startups, small to mid-sized companies, and large international corporations in diverse technical fields, including software, medical devices, wireless communication, e-commerce, electronics, mechanical devices, business methods, semiconductors, aerospace, magnetic media, and nanotechnology.
Ben's background is in electrical engineering and physics. Before practicing law, he worked for Medtronic, Inc., where he worked as an electrical and software design engineer in the wireless communication systems development team and in the quality assurance team. While at Medtronic, Ben designed and built computer automated test systems for testing implantable medical devices. While studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, he was the team leader for the wireless communications team in the design of a solar-powered vehicle.
Ben serves as a volunteer lawyer for Legal Corps, a nonprofit that connects lawyers with microbusinesses and nonprofits that need legal representation, and for the Volunteer Lawyers Network, helping low-income individuals in need of legal help.
Ben is married with two children. He's a former triathlete, who now specializes in road bike racing with his team--West River Racing. He also enjoys spending time in the outdoors including hiking, hunting, and fishing.