Mike Gates

• Patent preparation and prosecution, both domestic and international, for a diverse mix of industries and entities, from solo inventors to multinational corporations.
• Opinions of counsel, ranging from simple opinions concerning patentability and validity to complete product clearances for complex devices and systems.
• Design patent counseling and strategy development across a broad range of technologies including consumer products, furniture, medical devices, and graphical user interfaces. Mike is a go-to resource within the firm for design patent best practices and strategy.
• Post-grant proceedings including reexaminations and inter partes reviews. Mike recently successfully represented a ladder manufacturer in an inter parties review proceeding resulting in favorable settlement of co-pending litigation.
• Portfolio management. Mike has significant experience with management of complex, large intellectual property portfolios, including identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand and leverage clients’ portfolios.
• Due diligence for acquisitions and investment financing, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over his career.

Mike has significant experience with clients in the medical device, mechanical and automotive industries. He has assisted a number of companies as they navigate the often crowded IP landscape in order to establish a position that aligns with their business objectives. He has worked with numerous start-up companies, particularly in the medical device domain, whose success in fundraising, acquisition and other exit strategies were supported by their strong IP portfolios.