| Biography | Mike is actively involved in intellectual property registration, licensing and litigation throughout the United States and internationally. He frequently represents clients in Federal Court and specializes in intellectual property and technology matters. Mike has represented clients in actions and negotiations across the spectrum of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, advertising, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, covenants not to disclose, computer software, publishing, endorsements, the Internet and domain names. Representative Experience Intellectual property counsel to Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mizuno Corporation, The Southern Company, Dollar General Corporation, HD Supply, Inc., Mohawk Carpet Corporation, The STEP Company, ChoicePoint, Inc., Integrity Toys, The PGA Tour, Inc., EarthLink, Inc., NewsBank, Inc., YKK Corporation of America and Alton Brown. Counsel for defendant in trademark infringement claim. Obtained dismissal with prejudice on all claims. Delta Plumbing, Inc. v. Georgia Delta Mechanical, Inc. and Delta Mechanical, Inc., (CAFN: 09-A-04588-2). Represented licensee of Atlanta Brave Jason Heyward in trademark infringement action against sports memorabilia company. Obtained entry of judgment for a permanent injunction and a confidential settlement award. L.E.A.D., Inc. v. Sportscrack, LLC (N.D. Ga 1-10-CV-1616-JEC). Represented numerous authors in agreements with book publishers. Represented numerous licensors and licensees in trademark, copyright and software license agreements. Frequently served as mediator in trademark infringement litigation. Counsel to numerous clients in trademark, copyright and domain name infringement actions in federal court and before administrative agencies. Administered multiple sweepstakes and promotions for Mizuno Corporation, the Southern Company, Georgia Power Company, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Cousins Properties Incorporated, Leica Geosystems, Crystal Springs Water, Holiday Inn, Mohawk Carpet Corporation, XM Satellite Radio, General Motors Corporation and others. Listed correspondent and procured over 2200 trademark registrations in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Procured trademark registrations in over 90 countries. Successfully represented client in ICANN dispute proceeding to obtain southerncompany.com, southernlincwireless.com and other domain names. Represented clients in numerous other domain name sales, purchases, licenses and disputes. Represented clients in negotiations for product and service endorsement agreements with Chipper Jones, Paul Azinger, Luke Donald, Charless Howell III, Jonathan Byrd, Jenny Finch, Billy Andrade, Todd Helton, John Smoltz, Jeff Sluman, Larry Mize, John Cook, Brad Elder, Bob Tway, Edwin Moses, Teresa Edwards, U.S. National Volleyball Team, U.S. National Softball Team and others. Set up national licensing plan for fitness instruction program. Represented numerous clients in advertising review and compliance matters, including review for FTC, national television network broadcast, false advertising and comparative advertising issues. Presentations and Speaking Engagements Speaker, "Sweepstakes, Contest and Promotions," American Conference Institute, September 2011. Moderator, "Trademark Protection for Athletes and Celebrities," INTA Annual Meeting, May 2011. Speaker, "What IP Attorneys Need to Know About Online Advertising: Avoiding Liabilities & Protecting Brands," ExecSense Webinars, May 2011. Speaker, "Trademark Update," Springposium, Georgia State University and Atlanta Bar Association, May 2011. Speaker, "Intellectual Property Protection for Musicians, athletes and Actors," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2010. Moderator, "Trademark Protection in the Realm of Books, Movies and Other Media," INTA Annual Meeting, May 2010. Speaker, "The Intersection Between Marketing and Lawyer: Deal Maker or Deal Breaker," State Bar of Georgia Sports and Entertainment Law Section, April 2010. Speaker, "Emerging Trademark Threats with Social Media," BrightTALK Webinars, January 2010. Speaker, "The Instant Impact of Apple, Inc. v. Psystor," ExecSense Webinars, November 2009. Speaker, "Understanding the Instant Impact of Cincom Systems v. Novelis, Inc.," ExecSense Webinars, October 2009. Speaker, "Fraud Issues in Prosecution, TTAB Proceedings and Litigation," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2009. Speaker, "Instant Impact-Understanding Facebook's Username Cybersquatting Risks to Your Client," ExecSense Webinars, June 2009. Roundtable Moderator, "Security Interests in Intellectual Property," INTA Annual Meeting, May 2009, May 2005. Speaker, "Recent Developments in Sports-Related Litigation," State Bar of Georgia Entertainment and Sports Law Section, December 2008. Speaker, "Protecting the Intellectual Property of Athletes and Celebrities," Intellectual Property Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2008. Speaker, "Domain Names, Cybersquatting and Protecting Your Brands on the Internet," Georgia State University, October 2008. Panelist, "The Next Frontier In Due Diligence: Changing Importance of IP in M&A", Intellectual Property Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2007. Moderator, "Managing Employee IP Legal Issues," Corporate Intellectual Property Institute, Georgia State University, October 2007. Speaker, "Intellectual Property for the Entrepreneur," Georgia State University, March 2006. Co-Chair and Speaker, "Management of Technology in the Workplace," The Seminar Group, January 2006, August 2006. Speaker, "The Top Trademark Decisions of 2004," Minnesota State Bar Association, March 2005. Speaker, "Trademark Law Update," Georgia Springposium, April 2005, April 2006. Panelist, "Sports Marketing: Endorsements, Sponsorships and Merchandising," Hot Topics and Trends in Sports Licensing, Sponsorships, and Athletic Endorsements, State Bar of Georgia Entertainment and Sports Law Section, April 2005. Speaker, "Effective Corporate IP Programs," Law Seminars International, December 2004, November 2005. Speaker, "Trademark Law for the Entertainment Lawyer," Entertainment Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2004. Speaker, "Trademark Portfolio - Acquisition and Protection Workshop," Law Seminars International, July 2004. Chair, "Understanding Basic Trademark Law," Practicing Law Institute, October 2003. Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," State Bar of Georgia Mid-year Meeting, January 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. Speaker, "Understanding Trademarks in Georgia," Lorman Education Services, May 2001. Speaker, "The Legal Nexus Between Sports & Entertainment Issues," State Bar of Georgia Entertainment Law Section, April 2001, March 2003. Speaker, "Internet E-Commerce & Computer Law," Cincinnati Bar Association, May 2001. Speaker, "Intellectual Property Litigation," Sponsored by Law Seminars International, April 2001. Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Speaker, "Current Issues in IP Licensing," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, October 1997. Panelist, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997. Speaker, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997. Speaker, "Doing Business in the Pacific Rim," Intellectual Property Issues, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, July 1992. Publications Author, "Preparing a Client When Dealing with Domain Name and Internet 2.0 Type Disputes," Reed Seminars, 2009. Author, "Managing Advertising & Marketing Legal Issues," Aspatore Books, 2008. Author, "Protecting Big Ideas," Buckhead Home & Life Magazine, Fall 2008. Author, "Getting to know the Client," Advertising and Marketing Law: Client Strategies, Aspatore Books, 2007. Author, "Orange Flavor Is No Trademark", The National Law Journal, April 23, 2007. Author, "Builder Beware: How to Avoid Blueprint and Building Design Lawsuits," Construction Business Owner Magazine, August 2006. Public Service Board of Directors, Central Presbyterian Church Outreach and Advocacy Center, Inc. (2008-present). Board of Directors, Hammonds House Museum (2009-present). Board of Directors, Buckhead YMCA (2000-2009). Board of Directors and General Counsel, Children's Museum of Atlanta (2004-2011); Board of Advisors (2011-present). Volunteer, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts (1996-present). Other Distinctions Recognized as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Intellectual Property by Chambers USA (2006-2011). Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Copyright Law, Intellectual Property, and Trademark Law (2008-2012). Achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Selected as a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine for Intellectual Property Law excellence (2004-2011); Selected for inclusion in the July/August 2010 Law & Politics' Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition. Named to Georgia Trend magazine's Legal Elite in Intellectual Property (2003-2009). Recipient, State Bar of Georgia Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service (2010). Recipient, Georgia State University College of Law Intellectual Property Community Service Award (2010). Work Experience Partner, Troutman Sander LLP, 2001-present Associate, Troutman Sanders LLP, 1995-2000 Associate, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, 1993-1995 Associate, Hurt, Richardson, Gardner, Todd & Cadenhead, 1991-1992 Memberships · State Bar of Georgia (Board of Governors; Past Chair, Intellectual Property Section). · International Trademark Association, Member. · International Trademark Association, Panel of Neutrals. · Member, Drafting Committee, 11th Circuit Model Jury Instructions - Trademarks. · Leadership Atlanta (2008). · Atlanta IP Inn of Court, Executive Committee (2010-present). · Buckhead Business Association Leadership Program (2001-2002). · Children's Museum of Atlanta, Inc., Board of Directors and General Counsel (2004-2011); Board of advisors (2011- present). · Central Presbyterian Church Outreach and Advocacy Center, Inc. (Downtown Atlanta Homeless Services Center), Board of Directors (2008-present). · Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, Pro Bono Volunteer (1996-present). |