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Home - Merchant & Gould P.C.

Patenting, protecting, and monetizing your tangible IP assets

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Physical intellectual property spans a range of disciplines, and so does our mechanical group's range of talents and technical experience. We are committed to providing the highest quality global intellectual property services to our clients in the mechanical, materials science, and related technology fields.

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Serving clients with vision and foresight.

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Our attorneys work to build enduring relationships with each and every client, creating a partnership in which we work with your company to develop strategic plans for your intellectual property. Our goal is to combine a deep knowledge of your company's history with proactive legal counsel as a key to your success. In fact, one of our Mechanical clients has been with the firm for more than 100 years, served by one of our attorneys for almost four decades. By communicating frequently and staying in close touch with your goals, needs, and concerns, we consistently and proactively provide a full range of top-level intellectual property services to help your company thrive now and decades into the future.

Merging practical industry experience with legal insight.

Not only are our attorneys accomplished in the legal field, we hold engineering or other science degrees, a number of which are advanced degrees in specialized fields. Many of us have practical engineering or scientific work experience and have developed strong cross-disciplinary skills as active members in other groups in the firm. We apply this experience to your toughest IP challenges, collaborating with you to define and refine your inventions, patent portfolios, and long-term IP strategies.

Providing a full spectrum of global intellectual property services.

As a multi-disciplinary firm providing prosecution, litigation, and trademark services, we can go beyond simple mechanics to serve you with holistic and value-added strategies to solve your IP problems and grow your portfolio. Our full range of mechanical intellectual property services includes:

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Preparing, filing, and prosecuting U.S., International, and foreign patent applications

Prosecution of domestic patent applications on behalf of foreign clients

Freedom to operate investigations and opinions

U.S. Patent &amp; Trademark Office post-grant procedures

Appeals before the Patent Trial &amp; Appeal Board

Patent claim coverage assessments for commercial products

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Spanning a range of technologies and industries.

Attorneys in the Mechanical Group have the technical experience to serve clients in a diverse array of technologies and industries, including:

With several U.S. offices, we are at your convenience. Let us help you develop, manage, and protect your valuable brands.

Atlanta

Associate

Kamal K. Arvind

Minneapolis

Partner

Brian H. Batzli

Steven C. Bruess

Denver

Kelsey K. Covert, P.E.

Dennis R. Daley

Julie R. Daulton

Ryan J. Fletcher, Ph.D.

Kristen M. Souther

New York

Peter A. Gergely

Mark L. Gleason

Benjamin  H. Graf

Christian J. Hansen

T.  Patrick Johnson

Thomas R. Johnson

Robert  A. Kalinsky

Andrew  J. Lagatta

Thomas  J. Leach

Knoxville

Ian  G. McFarland

Washington, D.C. Area

Senior Counsel

Tarik M. Nabi, Ph.D.

Todd J. Obijeski

Luciano A. Ricondo

Alpaslan Sapmaz

David G. Schmaltz

Gregory  A. Sebald

Peter S. Selness

Rhett A. Sexton

Julie K. Skoge

Taylor R. Stemler

Robert  S. Sykes

Benjamin A. Tramm

Sophia I. Vogeler

Tong Wu

Zachary W. Zadow

Chad J. Wickman

Brian P. Monahon

Jim A. Larson

Katherine F. K. Mares

Of Counsel

Alexander E. Zumbulyadis

Lea E. Westman

Ava L. Blake

William “Tucker” Bender

William “Taylor” McCarty

James P. Rieke

Boston

Erica Norquist

Matthew  M. Metcalfe

Jack Smith, Ph.D.

New York Office Grows Local Leadership



Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce the promotion of <a href="/people/luciano-a-ricondo/">Luciano A. Ricondo</a> to partner in its <a href="/offices/new-york/">New York office</a>, effective Jan. 1, 2022.  



Luciano helps his clients to strategically grow their patent portfolios and obtain comprehensive intellectual property protection for new products and businesses. &nbsp;He drafts and prosecutes domestic and foreign patent applications in the mechanical, electrical, computer, and software-related arts. Luciano also prepares and prosecutes domestic and foreign industrial designs. &nbsp;While his practice expands across multiple industries, Luciano’s practice primarily focuses on medical devices and software including healthcare communications connecting healthcare professionals with patients. In addition to patent prosecution, he provides litigation support in a variety of areas, including drafting opinion letters regarding patentability, freedom to operate, and patent infringement.



“We are excited to expand our leadership and promote Luciano, who exemplifies the professionalism and experience that help our firm to grow and be successful, especially when our clients need us most,” said <a href="/people/peter-a-gergely/">Peter Gergely</a>, managing partner of Merchant &amp; Gould’s New York office. “His promotion brings greater depth to our Mechanical, Electrical and Software Practice Groups in some of the most inventive industries in New York and across the country.”

Merchant & Gould Promotes Luciano A. Ricondo to Partner

Denver Office Grows Local Leadership



Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce the promotion of <a href="/people/robert-s-sykes/">Robert S. Sykes</a> to partner in its <a href="/offices/denver/">Denver office</a>, effective Jan. 1, 2022.  



Sykes is an intellectual property attorney who practices in the mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software and telecommunication spaces. When preparing a patent application for a client, he emphasizes strategic planning and detailed drafting to strive for efficiency. &nbsp;Sykes believes this is the best way to create real value for clients and their intellectual property portfolios. &nbsp;



“We are excited to expand our leadership and promote Bob, who exemplifies the professionalism and experience that help our firm to grow and be successful, especially when our clients need us most,” said <a href="/people/andrew-l-jagenow/">Andrew Jagenow</a>, managing partner of Merchant &amp; Gould’s Denver office. “His promotion brings greater depth to our Mechanical, Electrical and Software Practice Groups in some of the most inventive industries in Colorado and across the country.”

Merchant & Gould Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America.

Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been included in&nbsp;The Best Lawyers in America©&nbsp;2022.



Best Lawyers&nbsp;compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting peer-reviewed surveys in which lawyers confidentially evaluate their colleagues. Since lawyers are not permitted to purchase their rankings or pay a fee to participate, a&nbsp;Best Lawyers&nbsp;listing is considered an unbiased honor.



Atlanta, GA



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jeffery D. Blake
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Patent Law</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Minneapolis, MN



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>John A. Clifford
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Andrew S. Ehard
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Scott W. Johnston


<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property, </li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Heather J Kliebenstein
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property </li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Thomas J. Leach
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Brent E. Routman
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Advertising Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Schulte
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>William D. Schultz
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Sorenson
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Anthony R. Zeuli
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Copyright Law</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Rachel Zimmerman Scobie
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



New York, NY



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Peter A. Gergely
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Merchant & Gould Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2022 in America.

Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been included in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023.



Best Lawyers&nbsp;compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting peer-reviewed surveys in which lawyers confidentially evaluate their colleagues. Since lawyers are not permitted to purchase their rankings or pay a fee to participate, a&nbsp;Best Lawyers&nbsp;listing is considered an unbiased honor.



Atlanta, GA



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jeffery D. Blake
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Patent Law</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Minneapolis, MN



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>John A. Clifford
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Andrew S. Ehard
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Scott W. Johnston




<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property, </li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Heather J Kliebenstein
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property </li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Thomas J. Leach
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Brent E. Routman
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Advertising Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Schulte
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>William D. Schultz
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Sorenson
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Anthony R. Zeuli
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Copyright Law</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Rachel Zimmerman Scobie
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



New York, NY



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Peter A. Gergely
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Merchant & Gould Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2023 in America.

Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been included in&nbsp;The Best Lawyers in America©&nbsp;2024.



Best Lawyers&nbsp;compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting peer-reviewed surveys in which lawyers confidentially evaluate their colleagues. Since lawyers are not permitted to purchase their rankings or pay a fee to participate, a&nbsp;Best Lawyers&nbsp;listing is considered an unbiased honor.



Atlanta, GA



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jeffery D. Blake
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Patent Law</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Minneapolis, MN



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>John A. Clifford
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Andrew S. Ehard
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Scott W. Johnston






<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property, </li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Thomas R. Johnson
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Advertising Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Heather J Kliebenstein
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property </li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Thomas J. Leach
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation- Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Brent E. Routman
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Advertising Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Schulte
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>William D. Schultz
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Christopher J. Sorenson
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Anthony R. Zeuli
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Copyright Law</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>



<li>Patent Law</li>



<li>Trademark Law</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Rachel Zimmerman Scobie
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



New York, NY



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Peter A. Gergely
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Litigation &#8211; Intellectual Property</li>



<li>Litigation &#8211; Patent</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Merchant & Gould Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2024 in America.

Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to have welcomed six associates to the firm: Gabriel Bauer, Tucker Bender, Taylor McCarty, Hannah Montgomery, Min Ji Suh, and Emily Threatt.



“These associates bring diverse scientific backgrounds and a shared passion for intellectual property law. They are excellent additions to the firm,” said Heather Kliebenstein, Managing Director. “We are excited to welcome them to the Merchant team.”



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/gabriel-p-bauer/">Gabriel Bauer</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Electrical &amp; Software Practice Group. He assists clients with patent preparation and prosecution, particularly in the fields of electrical and software technologies. Gabriel received a B.A. in physics and a B.S. in international economics from the University of Minnesota, and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/william-tucker-bender/">Tucker Bender</a>, Minneapolis, works in the Mechanical Practice Group. He focuses on patent prosecution and IP counseling in the mechanical and engineering sectors. Tucker earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/william-taylor-mccarty/">Taylor McCarty</a>, Knoxville, works in the Mechanical Practice Group. His work focuses on patent prosecution and protecting innovations across mechanical and manufacturing technologies. Taylor earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a J.D. from Lincoln Memorial University, Duncan School of Law..



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/hannah-r-montgomery/">Hannah Montgomery</a>, Denver, works in the Litigation Practice Group. She assists clients in protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights through litigation and dispute resolution. Hannah received a B.S. in biomedical sciences and criminology &amp; law studies from Marquette University, and a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/min-ji-suh/">Min Ji Suh</a>, Alexandria, works in the Chemical &amp; Life Sciences Practice Group. She supports clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries with patent prosecution and portfolio management. Min Ji holds a B.A. in neuroscience and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland.



<a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/emily-a-threatt/">Emily Threatt</a>, Knoxville, works in the Electrical &amp; Software Practice Group. She focuses on patent prosecution, helping clients safeguard their innovations in electrical engineering and related technologies. Emily earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Merchant & Gould Welcomes Six New Associates

Merchant &amp; Gould, a premier intellectual property law firm, has opened an office in Boston, expanding the firm’s depth and breadth of experience into an important technology hub. This expansion brings a team of 13 highly regarded attorneys from the Sunstein law firm, a decades-old, well-known Boston IP boutique. The group brings substantial experience in Boston’s innovation ecosystem and further strengthens Merchant’s litigation, patent prosecution, and trademark practices.



“Boston is a natural fit for Merchant, as our strengths in life sciences and advanced technology and our 125-year history of protecting innovation are well-suited to the area’s technology, research, and venture capital communities,” said Heather Kliebenstein, Merchant’s Managing Partner. “Merchant’s presence in Boston enables closer collaboration with innovators across the region, supporting them at the earliest stages of development with a large bench of attorneys having deep technical and trial capabilities, a high degree of responsiveness, and close strategic coordination.”



The Boston office will be led by Office Managing Partner Kerry Timbers, an accomplished first-chair trial lawyer whose experience includes jury trials and arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The team also includes widely respected IP leader Bruce Sunstein and first-chair trial lawyer Lisa Tittemore. “Joining Merchant strengthens our client service by improving the breadth and depth of resources available to them,” said Sunstein. “Merchant’s deep technical bench and long history as a premier intellectual property and trial firm allow us to deliver even stronger outcomes.”



“Our decision to join Merchant was driven by a shared vision of attentive service and the opportunity to provide clients broader support,” said Timbers. “The firm’s national platform, combined with our team’s strengths, particularly in high-growth sectors such as biotechnology and software, creates a powerful synergy that benefits clients at every stage of the innovation lifecycle.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



Merchant has experienced rapid growth in the last two years, adding over 50 attorneys and professionals, doubling the size of its Washington, D.C. office, and opening an office in Los Angeles. As one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated exclusively to intellectual property, Merchant has a deep bench of attorneys, patent agents, scientists, and other professionals who handle some of the most complex IP challenges facing companies worldwide.

Mechanical

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