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Home - Merchant & Gould P.C.

Zachary Krenz is an attorney at Merchant and Gould’s Minneapolis office. His practice focuses on preparing and prosecuting patents for clients in the fields of electrical engineering, software and mechanical products, and assisting the litigation teams in patent-related matters.

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Zachary earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering. During college, he interned at tech companies and developed his skills in software development, web engineering and cloud computing.

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After college, Zachary joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in rural Liberia, where he taught math, science and literacy to middle school and high school students. Here, Zachary honed the collaborative and educative skills that would play a role in his future legal career.

When he completed his Peace Corps service, Zachary decided to pursue law school at the University of Minnesota. He discovered the exciting world of patent law and the opportunity to combine his scientific and technological background with his passion for language and legal services.

Zachary earned his Juris Doctor and graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif before joining the team at Merchant and Gould. During law school, he was also an editor of the Minnesota Law Review.

Dedicated to Business-Minded Patent Strategies

Combining his analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of technology, Zachary focuses on creating patent strategies that align with an organization’s broader business goals. His ultimate focus is to find favorable solutions for clients that address each aspect of their unique situation.

With long-term objectives in mind, Zachary delves deeply into understanding each facet of a client’s innovation. From interviews with inventors to conducting comprehensive legal research, Zachary helps translate the ideas of innovators into patents that are useful for their businesses.&nbsp;

Zachary also measures these inventions against existing and prior art to determine how to clarify ideas while also exploring the potential for broader coverage. This allows him to help clients overcome the challenges of already-existing prior art while working to obtain optimal patent protection.

Accomplished at Conducting Thorough Research &amp; Analysis

Zachary’s technological, strategic and service-oriented background has helped hone his scrupulous research, legal and writing skills. Prior to working at Merchant and Gould, Zachary worked as a judicial extern at the US District Court for the District of Minnesota. Among other things, he researched case law and statutes, and drafted bench memoranda.

He also worked as a law clerk before becoming an attorney, drafting numerous patent applications, responding to USPTO office actions, conducting inventor interviews, and doing prior art searches.&nbsp;

Combined with his other educational and professional experience, Zachary is highly skilled at gathering, examining and understanding complex information. From asking the right questions to identifying key components of an innovation, he’s able to diligently analyze details before synthesizing them into a comprehensive legal strategy.

Zachary loves the intellectual stimulation that each client’s invention brings to the table. In addition to the industries he currently assists, he has a growing interest in patents for machine learning and biomedical technology. In his spare time, Zachary enjoys reading, running, playing board games and spending time with loved ones.

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University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2022, 

University of Minnesota, B.S. Computer Science, 2016, 

Zachary Krenz, Intellectual Property Attorney

Computer Technology

Electronics

Software & Information Technology

Telecommunications

Minneapolis

Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to have welcomed seven associates to the firm: Bridget Carmichael, Zachary Krenz, River Lord, Andrew Nemecek, Rhett Sexton, Sophia Vogeler, and Zachary Zadow.



“These highly credentialed associates bring fresh perspective and new experience to our practice groups and clients. They are excellent additions to the firm, and we are excited to welcome them to our M&amp;G team,” said Heather Kliebenstein, partner and member of the firm’s Executive Committee.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Bridget-Carmichael">Bridget Carmichael</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Litigation Practice Group. She serves various industries, including biotechnology, Hatch-Waxman litigation, and general litigation. Bridget received a B.S. in molecular genetics from Ohio State University, and a J.D., cum laude, from University of Minnesota Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Zachary-L-Krenz">Zachary Krenz</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Electrical and Software Practice Group. He focuses on preparing and prosecuting patents for clients in the fields of electrical engineering, software, and mechanical products, while assisting the litigation teams in patent-related matters. Zachary received a B.S. in computer science from University of Minnesota, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from University of Minnesota Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/River-E-Lord">River Lord</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Litigation Practice Group. She helps clients protect their intellectual property through litigation of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents. River received a B.S. in molecular biology from University of Denver, and a J.D. from University of Minnesota Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Andrew-J-Nemecek">Andrew Nemecek</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Electrical and Software Practice Group. He is a patent prosecution attorney, helping clients protect their technologies through every step of the patent application process. Andrew received a B.S. in computer engineering from University of Notre Dame, and a J.D. from University of Notre Dame Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Rhett-A-Sexton">Rhett Sexton</a>, Knoxville, works in the Electrical and Software Practice Group. As a patent prosecution attorney, he specializes in protecting inventors in the mechanical and electrical software industries.&nbsp;Rhett received a B.S. in electrical engineering from University of Tennessee, and a J.D. from University of Tennessee College of Law.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Sophia-I-Vogeler">Sophia Vogeler</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Mechanical Practice Group. She focuses on patent prosecution and litigation in the life sciences, mechanical industries, and electrical industries.&nbsp;Sophia received a B.S. in biochemistry from University of Iowa, and a J.D., cum laude, from University of Minnesota College of Law.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Professionals/Zachary-W-Zadow">Zachary Zadow</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Mechanical Practice Group. He brings a detail-oriented point of view and years of engineering experience to both patent prosecution and litigation matters. Zachary has a B.S. in engineering from University of Minnesota, and a J.D., summa cum laude, from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.



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<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCarmichael-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-21907" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCarmichael-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCarmichael-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCarmichael-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bridget Carmichael</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZKrenz-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-21967" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZKrenz-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZKrenz-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZKrenz-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zachary Krenz</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RLord-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-21971" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RLord-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RLord-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RLord-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">River Lord</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ANemecek-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22005" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ANemecek-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ANemecek-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ANemecek-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Andrew Nemecek</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RSexton-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22028" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RSexton-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RSexton-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RSexton-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rhett Sexton</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SVogeler-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22043" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SVogeler-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SVogeler-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SVogeler-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophia Vogeler</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized is-style-cover-graphic"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZZadow-0501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22050" width="221" height="150" srcset="https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZZadow-0501.png 885w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZZadow-0501-300x203.png 300w, https://admin.merchantgould.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ZZadow-0501-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zachary Zadow</figcaption></figure>

Zachary L. Krenz

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