Dickinson Wright has increased its intellectual property practice capabilities by combining with Southfield-based firm Artz & Artz. This combination adds nine registered patent attorneys to Dickinson Wright's existing 16. The IP practice also includes a patent agent and seven other attorneys.
Beth Feikens, the firm's director of public relations, sees the growth in this particular practice as in line with regional goals of economic diversification and says Dickinson and Wright will continue to seek out qualified firms and lawyers to bolster their IP team.
To train future IP practitioners, the firm created the Dickinson Wright Intellectual Property Academy in January. The Academy pairs law students and recent law graduates with a science or engineering degree with a senior attorney. Graduates of the Academy leave with the ability to deliver patent applications in a timely and cost-effective basis to clients, something law schools often do not teach. There are currently eight students enrolled in the Academy.
Another growth area for Dickinson Wright is the Emerging Business practice group, currently served by three partners. The Emerging Business group is designed to assist start-ups get off the ground by organizing their financials to assist in capitalization, establishing governance, contract, tax, benefits, IP and HR procedures.
In order to reach out to small start-ups with limited financial means, Dickinson Wright has developed a fixed-rate one-year package of essential legal services.
Source: Beth Feikens, Dickinson Wright
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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