Michael graduated from the University of California at Berkeley (biochemistry), worked in a biotech laboratory in Silicon Valley, and graduated from Boston University Law School. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1996 and the USPTO Bar in 1997. Michael worked as a Patent Attorney at a large multinational FMCG Company specialising in pan-Asian patent matters in the chemical and mechanical fields. During this time he handled holistic IP strategy development and implementation, drafting, prosecution, opinion work (freedom to operate, infringement, etc), due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures, contracts, negotiations, and licensing matters on a regional and worldwide basis.
Michael manages the Life Sciences group in Marks & Clerk’s Hong Kong and Beijing offices. He focuses on patent drafting, prosecution, IP strategies, and opinion work for companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical, bioscience, materials science, and mechanical fields.
Michael is passionate about helping Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Students understand IP possibilities and how to tie IP in with business. Accordingly, Michael is a frequent speaker on IP and Asian business matters for industry, associations, law schools and business schools. He is an active member of LES China-Hong Kong (Council, Secretary), IIPCC, AUTM, IBSA, INTIPSA (Fellow), and other organizations. Michael is a formal and informal mentor/advisor for many students and young professionals around the world.
Michael was selected as an 'IP Star' by Managing Intellectual Property in 2014, 2015 and 2016, listed as an expert by Who’s Who Legal, and listed in the IAM Strategy 300 in 2015 and 2016. He is also recommended in the IAM Patent 1000 guides for 2012, 2015 and 2016, which describe Michael as “a go-to adviser for pharmaceutical and mechanical patents”.