AVANT LAW GROUP - Key Persons
Alex Herman is a Patent Engineer with a background in mechanical engineering. Before joining Avek, Alex worked in new product development and certification at a leading entry door manufacturer, where he provided engineering solutions and assistance with 3D modelling, as well as logistics and supply chain support. Elsewhere, Alex assisted in the design and manufacture a low-cost aerodynamic testing apparatus. This included 3D modelling of various components, finite element analysis, aerodynamic analysis, and preparation of technical reports and user manuals.
In his free time, Alex enjoys playing golf and has a passion for motorsport.
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 2021-Present
Anna Quinn focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and is a member of Avek IP, LLC. As a registered patent attorney, she counsels clients in all areas of patent portfolio management in the U.S. and abroad, including drafting and prosecuting patents covering a wide variety of technologies. Her specialties are in technologies related to the chemical and mechanical arts, including automotive systems and components, adhesives, anti-break technologies, lifting equipment, sanitation systems, fertilizers, asphalt, wearable products, oil and gas systems and components, computer methods, and artificial turf.
She has experience with post-AIA review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, specifically inter partes reviews, and has aided in the preparation, analysis, drafting, and prosecution of multiple inter partes reviews covering several technology areas.
Anna also assists clients with due diligence and licensing for all types of intellectual property, and she has a significant trademark and copyright practice. Her trademark experience includes conducting trademark clearance searches, prosecuting trademark applications, and representing clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Anna has taught Patent Prosecution as an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law, and she authors articles on intellectual property legal issues. She spent over ten years at a national law firm and was a founding member of Avant Law Group, a predecessor to Avek IP.
Beth Felix focuses her practice on patent prosecution and works with clients from diverse industries to build strong patent portfolios, both in the United States and internationally. She has worked in technologies including oil and gas, software and hardware, life sciences, mechanical systems, and consumer products. She has experience working on utility and design patents from start to finish, including initial application drafting, office action responses, and examiner interviews.
Beth also has experience securing trademarks, both domestically and internationally. This experience includes conducting clearance searches, filing federal domestic trademark applications, extending applications internationally, preparing office action responses, and assisting in opposition and cancellation proceedings.
Blake E. Vande Garde began practicing law in 2001 after graduating from the University Of Kansas School Of Law. Blake has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of biological, mechanical, chemical, battery separator, fuel cell, nanotechnology, textile and fiber patent applications in both the United States and abroad. He also has experience conducting and evaluating due diligence, infringement, freedom to operate, clearance and patentability opinions.
Blake also has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications in both the United States and abroad (in both Madrid Protocol and non-Madrid Protocol jurisdictions). His experience also includes representation, evaluation and advisement regarding trademark oppositions and cancellations before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He has managed the patent and trademark portfolios for clients in both the United States and abroad as well as facilitated the management of outside counsel in the preparation and prosecution of foreign patent and trademark applications.
Blake has experience in infringement evaluations and the litigation of patents in addition to the drafting and negotiation of nondisclosure, joint development and technology licensing agreements.
Mr. Vande Garde manages the North Carolina office
He can be reached at either our Kansas office or at the North Carolina office at:
Charlotte Venture Challenge (formerly the Five Ventures Conference) as a judge, a mentor and a panelist in 2008, 2009, 2010 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Job Titles:
- Director of the U.S. Patent
Dave also teaches intellectual property as an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Dean Whipple in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Dr. Aubrey L. Helms, Jr. has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University and over thirty years of experience in Technology Development, Engineering Management, New Product Development, IP Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Strategic Business Planning. He is the author of over thirty publications and an inventor on seven patents. Aubrey was previously the Director of Patents for a large materials science based IP portfolio and has extensive patent prosecution experience. He is a registered patent agent.
Dr. Wangxue Deng is a registered patent agent with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. He is a former PCT patent examiner and served as the International Searching Authority on behalf of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In this role, Dr. Deng drafted written opinions and International Search Reports regarding the patentability of PCT applications.
Jim Kernell, member, has over 12 years of industry experience in electrical and software engineering before entering the practice of law. He is involved in all phases of patent, trademark and copyright related matters, including litigation, patent and trademark searches, preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, and preparation of license agreements. His patent prosecution work focuses on electrical and computer technologies including software, hardware and internet related technologies.
AFFILIATIONS
American Bar Association
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Jorge Maranto is a registered patent attorney with wide experience in networking, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He previously served as intellectual property counsel at IBM, and he focuses on drafting and prosecuting patent applications for leading companies in the information technology and services industry.
In addition to obtaining patent protection, Jorge assists clients with licensing agreements, software copyrights (including open source), creating internal invention-review procedures, and patent infringement matters.
Job Titles:
- Patent Attorney
- Registered Patent Attorney and a Member
Justin Poplin is a registered patent attorney and a member of Avek IP, LLC. He served as Chair of the Intellectual Property Prosecution & Transactions department in a national law firm from 2013 to 2016, and he was a founding member of Avant Law Group (a predecessor to Avek IP).
Companies of all sizes - from large multi-national corporations to startups - rely on Justin's legal advice on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, licensing, and confidentiality issues. And many clients utilize Justin as outside general counsel because he efficiently prevents and solves problems in ways that minimize disruption to their businesses. He has been the lead patent attorney in litigated matters and has prepared and conducted inter partes reviews, inter partes and ex parte reexaminations, supplemental examinations, and broadening and narrowing reissues. He has aided clients with obtaining, enforcing, licensing, invalidating, and avoiding infringement of patents and trademarks in a wide range of technologies, and he is responsible for managing intellectual property portfolios globally.
Justin argued and won some of the earliest inter partes review (IPR) cases, including one case against a large Johnson & Johnson subsidiary and another case representing Munchkin, and his docket has over 75 IPR cases. The Munchkin case is the first case invalidating a design patent through IPR. He has also successfully argued appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Audio recordings of Federal Circuit appearances on behalf of Munchkin and Shinn Fu Company of America can be accessed here and here.
Industry groups, business incubators, schools, and law organizations frequently invite Justin to present on legal issues since he conveys complex topics in plain English. He has taught the fundamentals of intellectual property law to over eight hundred business professionals.
Job Titles:
- Alliance Senior Capstone Projects, Judge
Kent has taken an active role in the legal community and was awarded the Legacy Award by the Lawyers Association of Kansas City in part for his effort in organizing an annual, half day continuing legal education program in the field of intellectual property law for the past 10 years. He has also been recognized by his peers through Super Lawyers as one of the top 50 lawyers in Kansas City and one of the top one hundred lawyers in the States of Kansas and Missouri.
Ms. Keyser has been in the intellectual property field for over 30 years and is involved in all phases of patent, trademark and copyright related matters, including litigation. Ms. Keyser holds a Certificate of Paralegal Studies with Honors and is a member of the Kansas City Paralegal Association.
Job Titles:
- Member of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists
- Paralegal
Maggie Jiles is a paralegal with over fifteen years of intellectual property experience, including at one of the largest IP boutiques in the United States. She has a strong background in patent and trademark prosecution and portfolio management, both in the US and abroad.
Maggie is an active member of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Marcia Rodgers provides practical, value-oriented strategic advice and assistance to clients in developing, protecting, and enforcing all components of their intellectual property portfolios.
She has thirty years' experience in brand development in the US and abroad, including US and foreign trademark searching and clearance opinions, preparation and prosecution of trademark applications, negotiating and drafting of licensing and co-branding agreements, infringement investigation and opinions and trademark enforcement and defense. She also counsels clients regarding trade dress issues, including registrability.
Marcia has prepared and prosecuted a wide variety of biological, chemical, and mechanical, patent applications, including design and plant patents, and Plant Variety Protection. She has conducted patent searches and prepared patentability, freedom to operate, validity, and infringement opinions. She also counsels clients regarding trade secret issues. Her practice includes negotiation and preparation of patent and technology license, manufacturing and distribution agreements, employment and confidentiality agreements, as well as asset transfer and security agreements related to patents, technology and trademark assets.
She counsels clients on copyright and rights of publicity issues, with a focus on ownership and avoidance of infringement, provides copyright use and infringement opinions, and obtains copyright registrations. Not admitted in Kansas.
Prior to practicing law, Marcia worked as a laboratory research assistant at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, in the fields of multiple sclerosis and diabetes.
AFFILIATIONS
Missouri Bar Association
Job Titles:
- Patent Attorney
- Registered Patent Attorney and a Member
Marshall Honeyman is a registered patent attorney and a member of Avek IP, LLC. His deep experience in patent matters and focus on technology has led to long-term relationships with clients of all sizes.
Marshall's practice focuses on advising high-technology clients in patent prosecution and infringement matters. His technology industry experience includes aircraft (e.g., business jets, VTOL, and other related aerospace technologies), automotive, computer software and hardware, LED systems and UV-C and other lighting technologies, missile guidance systems, network devices, oil and gas, optical systems and devices, power generation systems and equipment, and printed circuit board layouts.
Prior to joining Avek IP, Marshall worked in the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) as a patent examiner and then as an associate solicitor. He also previously served as a partner at an Am Law 200 firm. As an examiner, Marshall reviewed and acted on patent applications directed to, among other things, lighting arrangements and devices, computer display light guides, fiber optics, LED arrays, and complex automobile headlamp configurations.
As an associate solicitor at the USPTO, he handled lawsuits brought against the Office and acted as a lead attorney in ex parte appeals to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Additionally, he co-managed the section of attorneys responsible for litigating disciplinary actions against patent practitioners. His previous matters include defending the USPTO commissioner as lead briefing attorney in BlackLight Power Inc. v. Rogan, and he also litigated disciplinary complaints against patent practitioners on behalf of the Director of the USPTO Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED). Given this background, he has successfully advised and defended numerous individuals and major law firms regarding the handling of OED complaints.
Job Titles:
- Intellectual Property Paralegal
- Paralegal
Melissa Turpen is an intellectual property paralegal and maintains Avant's prosecution docket. She has over fifteen years of experience and was previously the Intellectual Property Docket Manager at a large national firm. Melissa has a deep understanding of patent and trademark deadlines and processes, and she works closely with Avant's attorneys and clients.
Job Titles:
- Intellectual Property Assistant
- Paralegal
Meredith is an intellectual property assistant to two of the senior attorneys. She has over twenty-five years of experience in IP firms. She enjoys working with the clients to manage their intellectual property portfolios. Her favorite part of her job is working with the attorneys and associates to assist clients in developing their IP both domestically and globally.
Job Titles:
- Patent Agent
- Registered Patent Agent
Mike Benoit is a registered patent agent with a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering sciences and a strong technical background in engineering and biotechnology. Mike's patent experience includes drafting and prosecuting patent applications and assisting with invalidity and infringement analyses and inter-parties review (IPR) proceedings, often related to electro-mechanical devices, control systems, robotics, composite materials, and applied optics.
Mike previously worked as a technical advisor at an Am Law 200 firm, and as a product development engineer at LightDeck Diagnostics developing disposable fluidic devices for point-of-care diagnostics applications, at Codexis developing biocatalysts for generating biofuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and at Ball Aerospace developing laser communications technology.
As a postdoc at Stanford University, he developed MRI contrast-agents and studied bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanisms using high-throughput microfluidics devices. As a graduate student at the University of Colorado, he helped design, build, test, and integrate three science payloads that flew onboard the International Space Station.
Robert Benke is a Patent Engineer with experience assessing invention patentability, drafting patent applications, and prosecuting patents. His technical background spans the fields of aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgy, and computer science. As an undergraduate researcher at University of Colorado Boulder, his research experience included electrochemical cell design and electrocatalyst simulations.
Stephanie Matchett is responsible for numerous administrative functions that allow Avant Law Group to meet client needs - including intake, bookkeeping, and office management. She has worked with Avant's attorneys and clients for nearly a decade and is an expert in creating client-tailored solutions.