Messner Reeves LLP

What We Do

MESSNER REEVES AT-A-GLANCE

PROVEN GUIDANCE FOR COMPLEX LEGAL ISSUES

WHO WE ARE

Messner Reeves is a full-service business law firm focused on providing legal services to a wide array of clients which include established Fortune 500 companies, emerging concepts, individual entrepreneurs, and executives across an extensive range of industries. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado with offices nationwide, our team of experienced attorneys aims to help our clients maximize their business potential in order to grow, strengthen, and maintain successful business enterprises across the nation.

With an impressive business acumen and extensive legal expertise, our team confronts complex challenges head on with assertive action to represent our clients’ best interests.

We work side by side with our clients and utilize our vast and multifaceted experience to deliver high quality legal representation.

Messner Reeves maintains the highest standards for integrity and accountability both on personal and professional levels for its attorneys, staff, and employees. The driving force behind our success generally is an entrepreneurial spirit that is unmatched by other firms in the field. We believe in fostering and supporting our lawyers as they build a practice that affords them the opportunity to successfully serve our clients with strong and effective counsel. The result is a firm of highly motivated people who love what they do – helping our clients achieve their goals through the practice of law. When Messner Reeves was founded over 25 years ago, our entrepreneurial spirit was born out of necessity. Now, we maintain that same spirit by choice.

At Messner Reeves, our core values drive our business. We are energetic, available, accountable, and solution-oriented. We work hard to earn the trust of our clients.

Culture & Diversity

At Messner Reeves, we value each person for their unique perspective and background, embracing anyone who is willing to work hard. Diversity strengthens our firm and results in more innovative solutions for our clients. We have long recognized that attracting and promoting diverse attorneys through mentoring, business development training and client service opportunities creates a culture where all can flourish.

OUR PLEDGE TO DIVERSITY

Messner Reeves participates annually in the Colorado Pledge to Diversity. While most law firms only provide internships to second-year law students, the Pledge to Diversity Program affords first-year law students of diverse racial, gender and ethnic identifications the opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship with Messner Reeves. As a result, Messner Reeves hires program participants annually.

OUR CULTURE

With Messner Reeves, what you see is what you get. We don’t rely on smoke and mirrors, or expensive artwork and granite countertops, to impress clients; rather, we have and always will focus on providing the highest quality legal work at a fair rate. Messner Reeves was founded in 1995 by Bryant “Corky” Messner who had the vision to create an entrepreneurial law firm that empowered attorneys to take control of their careers and become leaders in their communities. Unstuffy. Highly motivated. Focused on the client.

We believe that the driving force behind our culture is this entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with our business-friendly approach. From the moment you step into any of our office locations, decorated with artwork created by the children of our clients and employees, you realize we are not your typical law firm. You won’t find bureaucracy, politics, committees or unnecessary meetings in stuffy boardrooms. You will see a collaborative, energetic group of highly skilled professionals dressed comfortably and working hard to create common-sense solutions to complex problems. Our culture allows our attorneys, firm professionals and legal staff to stay on top of our clients’ needs and provide them with the resources required to meet their business objectives.

Midsize Mansfield Firm Messner Reeves Achieves Certification Recognizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

Messner Reeves is pleased to announce that the firm has successfully achieved the highest level of certification, Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus. This prestigious certification recognizes the firm's commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within its leadership ranks.

As one of less than 80 law firms to attain Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus, Messner Reeves has demonstrated its dedication to tracking, measuring, and promoting diversity in leadership. From September 2021 to March 2023, the firm completed an 18-month certification process, actively tracking detailed information and sharing it with Diversity Lab to achieve this milestone.

The Midsize Mansfield Certification was developed by Diversity Lab as an extension of the renowned Mansfield Rule, originally designed in 2017 for larger law firms. Tailored specifically for firms with fewer than 150 lawyers, the certification acknowledges midsize firms' unique challenges, including smaller footprints, less formal leadership structures, and limited hiring and selection opportunities. The certification criteria ensure that midsize firms have actively considered at least 30% representation of women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities in leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, client pitches, lateral lawyer hiring, and more.

Messner is especially proud of achieving the Mansfield "Certification Plus," which is awarded to firms that have not only considered diversity in leadership but have achieved it.

About Messner Reeves

Messner Reeves is a reputable Midsize Mansfield firm that delivers exceptional legal services to clients across various industries. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the firm strives to foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that empowers individuals and promotes professional growth.

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property team works hand-in-hand with our attorneys in other practice areas to ensure that our clients achieve the best possible counseling and comprehensive protection for all of their IP rights and assets.

PATENT PROSECUTION AND STRATEGIC COUNSELING

Within the IP group, our patent team has decades of experience developing highly strategic patent portfolios for national and multi-national retailers. Their experience includes securing large patent portfolios on retail transaction processing systems, big data processing and analysis, new product designs, and brand and product marketing technologies. To complement their legal work, the team has also developed a comprehensive patent and trademark training program to help get clients up-to-speed on key issues and risks to consider as they expand into new product lines or develop their own internal technologies and branding.

The team has best-in-class experience and uses that experience to provide highly strategic IP and patent counseling. Recognizing that IP strategies must evolve over time as our clients grow, our approaches are budget conscious, innovative, and fine-tuned to the client’s specific needs.

RELEVANT SPECIALTIES FOR MESSNER PATENT TEAM:

Asset Tracking and Management Systems

Consumer Goods

Product Design Protection

Data Security Technologies & Cryptography

eCommerce systems

Our Patent Litigation team represents clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in various proceedings including post grant review (PGR), covered business method patents (CBM), and inter partes review (IPR) as well as ex-parte re-examination and supplemental examination proceedings. The Firm helps clients develop and implement sophisticated IP enforcement IP in the following areas:

• Patent litigation enforcement campaign strategies

• Trade secret misappropriation litigation

• Unfair competition and antitrust issues related to patent enforcement

• Trademark litigation

• Unfair competition and antitrust issues related to patent enforcement

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property Strategic Counseling

• Intellectual Property Litigation

• Patent Litigation

• Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition

• Trademark and Trade Dress Litigation

• Patents

• Trademarks & Copyrights

• Licensing

• Consumer Products Development

• Software Audits

• Data and Privacy

Admissions

• Arizona

• Illinois

• U.S. District Court of Arizona

• U.S. District Court of Colorado

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

• U.S. District Court, Central District of California

• U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

• U.S. District Court of Montana

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court of Vermont

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Greg Sitrick Partner

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

gsitrick@messner.com

602.457.5060 direct | 602.457.5059 main

Greg Sitrick is head of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. Greg is an intellectual property attorney focused on both being a businessman and litigator for his clients, as well as an advisor and technician. He helps clients prioritize their needs and figure out an overall game plan for their IP, rather than simply covering the legal aspects of IP prosecution and enforcement. Greg counsels his clients on what to accomplish first, what to hold back for the time being, how to allocate resources, and how to build IP plans for the long term. When clients need to litigate, Greg is an equally reliable resource. His combination of business sense and litigation skills makes him an excellent partner for any client whose IP represents its greatest assets. His experiences allow him to counsel on a variety of issues from small nominal matters to large bet-the-company type matters, with clients ranging from barely funded start-ups to international multi-billion-dollar corporations. His clients see him as a business partner, and voted him a BTI client all-star in 2014 and again in 2019.

From day to day, Greg assists his clients with all aspects of intellectual property-related rights, from procurement, enforcement, and maintenance of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, to protection, enforcement, and defense against infringement, trade dress, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and unfair trade practices. He develops creative solutions so that his clients can obtain, license, protect, and enforce their intellectual property rights.

Before attending law school, Greg earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and then worked for Intelligent Resources Integrated Systems, U.S. Robotics/3COM, and MPC Products Corporation. He has hands-on experience with video technology including green-screen technologies and MPEG authoring technologies, communications

technology including modems and communication devices, and aeronautical/aerospace engineering technologies such as components and systems for fighter jets, space shuttles, commercial aircraft, military helicopters, tanks, and GPS-guided bombs. As an electrical engineer, he prosecuted patents on behalf of his employers even before he became an attorney. He is even a named inventor on a patent himself and has a passion for protecting the intellectual property of inventors, and helping them to utilize IP property as an asset.

Representative Experiences:

• Representing an international apparel company in intellectual property counseling and trademark enforcement and defense.

• Representing various consumer products companies in all aspects of intellectual property counseling and litigation, including defending it in complex litigations involving patents, trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition, and advising on intellectual property asset and portfolio building strategies.

• Representing start-up and small technology companies on intellectual property matters to prepare for funding and growth, advising them on intellectual property asset and portfolio building strategies, and enforcing/defending their intellectual property.

• Representation of a major outdoor retailer in all aspects of intellectual property counseling and litigation, including defending the Company in complex litigations involving patents, trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition; advising on intellectual property asset and portfolio building strategies; and training its employees on the use of intellectual property.

Education and Honors:

• Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., 2003)

• Northern Arizona University (B.S.E.E., 2000)

- Major: Electrical Engineering

Awards:

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2018–present: Litigation – Intellectual Property)

• 2014 and 2019 recipient of BTI Client Service All-Star Award by The BTI Consulting Group, Inc.

Community Involvement:

• American Bar Association (Member)

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Member)

• Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (Member; Chairman of 2004 and 2005 Field Day Events)

• Extern to the Honorable Ronald A. Guzman

• Illinois State Bar Association (Member)

• Assistant Coach, Men’s Varsity Club Hockey Team (2003–2009)

• Director and Chairman of ADHL Hockey Bucks Program - licensed to Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association (2017-present)

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property

• Litigation

Admissions

• Arizona

• U.S. District Court of Arizona

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education:

• Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law (J.D., 2007)

• Arizona State University (B.S.E.E., 2002)

- Major: Electrical Engineering

Community Involvement:

• American Bar Association

• American Intellectual Property Law Association

• Board of Trustees, Arizona Science Center

Rowan Smith Partner

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

rsmith@messner.com

602.457.5225 direct | 602.457.5059 main

Rowan Smith is an experienced intellectual property attorney who provides thoughtful legal counseling and business advice to assist clients in maximizing the value of their intellectual assets. His practice includes patent prosecution, copyright and trademark registration, licensing, and technology-related transactions. He regularly works with clients of all sizes, including multi-national companies, non-profit organizations, and sole inventors, to develop business-driven strategies for effectively and efficiently protecting his clients’ most valuable assets.

Rowan’s technical background is in electrical engineering and computer science and he has worked with inventors to protect inventions in many technological areas, including data communication encryption schemes, machine learning systems, electrical and mechanical systems, semiconductor assembly, test, and packaging, power amplifiers, medical devices, and asset tracking and management systems. He also provides patent and technology counseling on litigation and licensing matters.

Rowan also assists clients in non-patent matters, including the registration and protection of copyrights, the filing and prosecution of trademark applications, technology licensing, and the protection of trade secrets.

Before law school, Rowan worked as a software engineer for Honeywell’s Laboratory Services and Integrated Testing Center. At Honeywell, Rowan developed technologies to assist in the manufacturing and testing of jet engines.

Representative Experience:

• Worked with a multi-national education technology companies to manage international patent portfolio of machine learning and predictive analytics technologies. Executed invention harvesting processes to meet with engineers, identify and understand newly-developed and strategic technologies, and secure protection on the same.

• Worked with international research lab to protect encryption and data communication technologies.

• Worked with a research hospital to spin-up patent protection program as part of technology transfer and licensing efforts.

• Assisted small client with patent filings as part of venture capital funding negotiations.

• Provided in-house intellectual property training for engineers at a large e-commerce transaction company to successfully increase volume of new invention disclosures.

Representative Technologies:

• Analog & Digital Circuit Design

• Asset Tracking and Management Systems

• Data Security Technologies & Cryptography

• eCommerce systems

• Encryption and data communications/storage technologies

• High-Performance Military and Aeronautical Mechanical Systems

• Low-Power Display Screen Technologies

• Machine Learning and AI Technologies for Content Delivery

• Medical Devices

Practice Areas

• Branding and Marketing

• Cannabis Law

• Data and Privacy

• Entertainment & Sports Law

• Intellectual Property

• Intellectual Property Strategic Counseling

• Software Audits

• Semiconductor

Admissions

• Arizona

• U.S. District Court of Arizona

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education & Honors

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (J.D., 2007)

• University of Missouri (B.S., 2002)

o Major: Electrical Engineering

Benjamin Tietgen Partner

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

btietgen@messner.com

602.457.5081 direct | 602.457.5059 main

Joining Messner Reeves as a partner in late 2020, Benjamin Tietgen launched the Firm’s Phoenix office and helped to formalize its intellectual property group. Ben’s practice is keyed on value-driven IP portfolio management for innovators and creatives of any size, shape, or aspiration. Ben’s clients include artists, writers, musicians, bands, record labels, music and book publishers, industrial designers, builders, prolific inventors, academic and research institutions, and companies from startups to globe-spanning in myriad industries.

Ben advises on filing, pursuit, maintenance, and enforcement strategies for patents, trademarks, copyrights, publicity rights, trade secrets, and all of the licenses and other contracts that arise in the IP context. Ben’s technical expertise is in computer hardware and software, including cloud computing architecture, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and data security, including blockchain applications; his clients have created and commercialized products and services across a broad range of high and low technologies, including software and software-as-a-service development, entertainment and promotions, music instruments, brand management, animal training, swimming pool devices, plasma medicine research, materials science and discovery, cannabis, green energy tech, and cryptocurrency/NFTs/digital assets, to name a few.

Before joining Messner Reeves, Ben’s law career was split equally: first, at a boutique intellectual property firm serving primarily small and local clients; then, at an AMLAW200 firm where he rose quickly from junior associate to partner by providing trusted advice to several multinational corporations. With this history, Ben developed a keen perspective of all sides of major IP deals and disputes; he uses this expertise to help clients make critical strategic portfolio decisions, find investors without giving away too much, partner with vendors that can truly get a product to market, and protect whatever gives them their commercial identity.

Bio Continued

As IP creation often goes hand-in-hand with starting a new company, Ben also helps with corporate formation issues, including creation – and, often, revision or replacement! – of Articles of Incorporation/Organization, Operating Agreements, contribution agreements, Bylaws, website and mobile app Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and template contracts for the company’s customers and vendors. All too often, Ben also advises on disputes between members, buyouts, and the like.

In his Life Before Law, Ben was a web software developer and IT technician; he still dabbles in coding and tinkers with the latest-and-greatest software tools, as often for work as not. Ben draws on over 20 years of experience in the software development sphere to advise both technology and non-technology companies on their software issues, such as developing techniques and cycles, licensing-in and licensing-out, open source usage policies and audits, available copyright protections, theft and misappropriation, infringement allegations, software escrow, and overseas and cross-border intricacies. In addition, Ben has spent his entire legal career advising on the shifting landscape of software patents and takes as much pride in securing them as in advising clients not to file.

Ben is a musician and a creator at heart and has a quickly-growing entertainment law practice, representing primarily musicians and other artists, artist’s managers, and music and media publishers. He also advises in the non-profit sector and has unique expertise with fiscal sponsorship arrangements from both the funding sponsor side and the funded project/501(c)3 side.

All told, Ben has lived in the Valley of the Sun for over 25 years; he loves to travel with his family and is also heavily engaged in the South Phoenix community near his home base. Ben serves on a local charter school Board and as Chair of the Construction Advisory Board for the City’s light rail extension project. In addition, Ben is cofounder, Compliance Officer, and show host for KDIF 102.9 LPFM South Phoenix Radio, the community’s nonprofit, FCC-licensed radio station. When there is spare time, Ben plays bass in rock bands, practices taekwondo, or makes NFTs with his kids.

Community Involvement

• Pro Bono counsel, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

• Pro Bono counsel, 4th Trimester Arizona

• Chairperson, Valley Metro South Central Extension/Downtown Hub Construction Advisory Board North (2020-present)

• Board Chairperson and Compliance Officer, KDIF 102.9 LPFM (2016-present)

• Member and past President of the Board of Directors, Paideia Academies, Inc. (2015-present)

• Board Member, Arizona Interfaith Alliance for Worker Justice (2019-present)

• Mentor, Venture Madness (2020-2021)

Isaac S. Crum Partner

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

icrum@messner.com

602.641 6705 direct | 602.457.5059 main

Practice Areas

• Branding and Marketing

• Consumer Products Development

• Data and Privacy

• Intellectual Property

• Intellectual Property Strategic Counseling

• Patent Litigation

• Software Audits

• Trademark and Trade Dress Litigation

• Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Litigation

Admissions

• Arizona

• District of Columbia

• U.S. Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court of Vermont

Isaac focuses his practice on advising clients as to how to develop, protect, and enforce intellectual property rights. He frequently is consulted by, and guides, successful businesses dealing with knockoffs on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy. In so doing, he works with his clients to develop a wholistic approach which balances developing an enforceable intellectual property portfolio with the realities of e-commerce in the globalized 21st century.

“After employees, intellectual property is often a businesses’ single greatest asset,” says Isaac, who adds that companies who ignore this “do so at their peril.”

“Consumer lists, product designs, methods of manufacture, technology licensing, brand development and brand recognition each of these elements of a successful business, have intellectual property law at their heart.” “It is unfortunate,” Isaac laments, “that all too often clients call ‘after-the-fact,’ and after their product is already being knocked-off by a dozen cheaper competitors and when options are limited. These ‘after-the-fact’ calls can be sobering. It’s always better when I am able to walk through a clients’ business and products on the front end and can gameplan with the client how to protect their market space before problems arise.”

In addition to his consulting practice, Isaac has spent the last thirteen years litigating intellectual property cases across the country for clients of every size, from $2 trillion “Fortune 10” companies to mom-and-pop stores and prerevenue startups. These cases have run the gamut from semiconductor cases before the International Trade

Isaac S. Crum is a member of Messner Reeves’ intellectual property group.

Commission in Washington, D.C., trademark and patent cases in Arizona and the Ninth Circuit, cancellation and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, and appeals to the Federal Circuit and United States Supreme Court. Isaac has virtually seen it all.

When taking on new matters, Isaac finds that in addition to providing legal advice and zealously litigating cases, much of the work of being an intellectual property lawyer revolves around identifying and establishing business-centered goals and realistic business-based “win conditions.” “No one wants to spend more money litigating a case than it is worth. So, much of my time is spent strategizing how to pivot between aggressively going after infringers to creatively structuring settlements and licensing agreements that maximize my client’s revenue and are based on the needs of a client or the status of a particular matter.”

Prior to attending law school, Isaac earned a degree in computer engineering at the University of Arizona. A native Tucsonan and die-hard Wildcat fan, Isaac remained at the University of Arizona for law school. Upon graduation from law school, Isaac practiced for six years in Washington, D.C. for two top-fifty international law firms before coming back home to Arizona to raise his family.

Representative Experiences:

• Representing a global spirits manufacturer in intellectual property counseling, trademark enforcement, litigation, and appeals.

• Representing various consumer products companies, and startups, in all aspects of intellectual property counseling and litigation, including defending it in complex litigations involving patents, trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition, and advising on intellectual property asset and portfolio building strategies.

• Representing numerous companies in bet-the-company patent litigation before the International Trade Commission and in district courts around the company. Representation of non-profit companies in developing IP portfolio and securing IP protection for growing and expanding their mission.

Education and Honors:

• Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., 2003)

• Northern Arizona University (B.S.E.E., 2000)

- Major: Electrical Engineering

Awards:

• SuperLawyers,SouthwestRisingStar,2014–present

Community Involvement:

• Executive Counsel, Intellectual Property Section, Arizona State Bar Association

• American Intellectual Property Law Association (Member)

• Maricopa County Bar Association (Member)

• Pima County Bar Association (Member)

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property Strategic Counseling

• Intellectual Property Litigation

• Patent Litigation

• Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition

• Trademark and Trade Dress Litigation

• Patents

• Trademarks & Copyrights

• Licensing

• Intellectual Property Monetization and Sale

Admissions

• Colorado

• Virginia (Inactive)

• U.S. District Court of Colorado

• U.S. District Court of Minnesota

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education & Honors

• George Mason University School of Law (J.D.), Patent Law Track

• Arizona State University (B.S.E.), Chemical Engineering

Associations

• American Bar Association

• American Intellectual Property Law Association

• Federal Circuit Bar Association

Scott Hawranek* Partner

14 North Sierra Madre Street, Suite A Colorado Springs, CO 80903

shawranek@messner.com 719.344.9907 direct | 303.623.1800 main

Scott Hawranek is a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group in Colorado. His practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, protection, and development for his clients’ most valuable technologies. He uses his engineering background and experience in intellectual property law to provide his clients with solutions and winning strategies.

Scott has experience winning patent, trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property disputes such as trade secret misappropriation and licensing disputes. He handles complex cases by working with his clients to achieve costeffective and beneficial business solutions as favorable outcomes.

Scott has significant experience practicing before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in developing and challenging patents. He has been involved in various post grant proceedings including inter partes and ex parte reviews. He also has extensive experience developing and monetizing valuable patent portfolios both in the United States and abroad for his clients.

Previously, Scott practiced in his own intellectual property law firm, at major international law firms in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Colorado, and as in-house counsel for a global technology company. He also worked as a patent examiner for the USPTO. Before starting his legal career, Scott was a research and development engineer.

Awards :

Listed as a Top Attorney, voted on by his peers in Colorado Springs (2020–present: Intellectual Property – Copyright, Patent, Trademark & Trade Secret Law)

*Part of the practice group though not licensed in AZ

Community Involvement:

• Previous work with the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation in the Biosciences Committee

• Adjunct Professor “Understanding Intellectual Property Rights” at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

• Adjunct Professor “Intellectual Property Rights for Engineers and Scientists” at Northern Arizona University

• Youth soccer coach and intro to ski racing instructor

Representative Experiences:

• Representing companies in all aspects of intellectual property litigation, including complex litigations involving patents, trademarks and trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition.

• Representing startup and small technology companies in the development of valuable patent and trademark portfolios as well as licensing, investment, monetization, and acquisition counseling.

• Representing companies in various post grant proceedings before the USPTO.

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property

• Patent Litigation

• Trademark and Trade Dress Litigation

Admissions

• Arizona

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (J.D., cum laude, 2021)

• University of California, Santa Barbara (B.S., 2016) Major: Pharmacology

Awards

• Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance

• Highest Pro Bono Distinction

• Lisa Foundation Patent Law Scholar

• Pedrick Scholar

• Intellectual Property Certificate

• CALI Award – Patent Licensing & Monetization

• CALI Award – Lisa Foundation Patent Clinic

SHARIF S. AHMED Associate

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

Sahmed@messner.com

602.635.2218 direct | 602.457.5059 main |

Sharif Ahmed is an Intellectual Property Attorney with Messner Reeves LLP, practicing in all aspects of IP, including prosecution, litigation, and licensing.

His practice includes patent and trademark procurement, enforcement, and maintenance. His practice includes trade secrets, dress, portfolio due diligence, licensing, and related business transactions. Sharif has worked with clients of all sizes, from multi-national Fortune 100s and universities to solo inventors and nascent start-ups. He develops creative global protection solutions, aligning his clients’ IP procurement strategies with their critical business objectives.

Once procured, Sharif also assists clients in enforcing their most valuable intellectual assets. His technical experience includes many technologies in a variety of fields, including aerospace, ore mining, medical devices, garments, and outdoor games, among others. Mr. Ahmed earned a B.S. in Pharmacology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was an undergraduate researcher in the Craig Montell Lab at UCSB’s Neuroscience Research Institute. He researched molecular genetics, electrophysiological, biochemical, and cell biological approaches in the fruit fly to define the receptors and ion channels that sense the outside world and impact animal behavior.

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• “Bayh-Dole and March-In Mischief: Why Congressional Action is Needed to Protect and Promote Pharmaceutical Innovation.” IPLS Proceedings, Vol. 32, Issue 1, Intellectual Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan (Feb. 1, 2021)

Professional Experience

• Intellectual Property Attorney, Snell & Wilmer LLP

• Summer Associate, Snell & Wilmer LLP

• Judicial Extern, Superior Court, Maricopa County, Hon. Christopher Coury

• Legal Extern, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office

• Portfolio Analyst, Nexseer Capital

• Undergraduate Researcher, Craig Montell Lab, UCSB

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property

• Semiconductor

Admissions

• Arizona

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education

• University of Arizona, College of Law, J.D., 1994

• Oregon Institute of Technology, B.S., 1985

Associations

• State Bar of Arizona

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

STEWART J. WOMACK Associate

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

swomack@messner.com

602.641.6711 direct | 602.457.5059 main |

Attorney Stewart J. Womack, Intellectual Property Law Specializing in Patent Prosecution

Mr. Stewart Womack worked at SpeedFam Corporation and GoDaddy and was instrumental in building their intellectual property programs from their start. He initiated procedures for harvesting and protecting their intellectual property and educated management on best IP practices. He managed outside counsel during numerous complex patent litigation cases and negotiated many advantageous settlements. He also negotiated various technology licensing agreements and reviewed corporate open source software compliance.

Mr. Womack has also worked at Womack & Associates and Quarles & Brady before joining Messner Reeves. He has assisted clients in protecting their intellectual property by drafting and prosecuting hundreds of patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He has worked in many different technology fields, such as semiconductor manufacturing processes, domain name registrations, website hosting, the Internet-of-things and cyber-security.

Before law school, Mr. Womack worked for a Hughes Aircraft Company (now Raytheon) as a Test Engineer programing test equipment for guidanceand-control sections of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, such as the AMRAAM, GBU-15 and Maverick missile systems.

Professional Experience

• Associate at Quarles & Brady

• Assistant General Counsel at GoDaddy

• Partner at Womack & Associates

• Assistant General Counsel at SpeedFam Corporation

Practice Areas

• Entertainment & Sports Law

• Intellectual Property

Admissions

• California

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Education & Honors

• University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, J.D. 2005

• University of Southern California, B.A., Psychology 2002

Associations

• State Bar of California

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

• John M. Langston Bar Association

• Los Angeles County Bar Association

Allan B. Claybon* Associate

7250 North 16th Street, Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

aclaybon@messner.com 424.276.6214 direct | 602.457.5059 main

In his current role, Allan focuses his practice on IP acquisition, licensing, and enforcement. Allan counsels his clients regarding their IP rights and the creation and management of their portfolios. In addition, Allan is actively involved in selecting, procuring, and transferring IP rights.

Allan’s current focus is built upon a foundation of substantial litigation experience, specialized IP knowledge, and expertise. With this foundation, Allan can vigorously advocate for clients rights while having the knowledge and skill to maintain a balanced approach to addressing IP issues. Allan’s involvement with IP is long-standing. From the beginning of his legal career, IP has consistently formed a critical portion of his practice. In college, Allan completed coursework sufficient to become licensed as a Patent Attorney. In addition, while in law school, Allan served as an intern for the legal affairs department of the Fox Broadcasting Company. Another significant portion of Allan’s experience involves hands-on management and litigation matters control. As a result, Allan is equipped to stand confidently in advancing his client's needs and goals. This experience allows Allan to counsel his IP clients in navigating or avoiding adversarial situations while being able to provide strong representation if such a need occurs.

Additional Information:

Allan’s versatility informs how he manages his specialized IP tasks. Allan is not limited in his abilities or experience in providing clients with full service for their needs. Whether a client needs assistance with technical or artistic matters, business matters or legal procedures, negotiation, or litigation, Allan is prepared to manage all these roles to effectively and efficiently serve the client’s needs.

*Part of the practice group though not licensed in AZ

Practice Areas

• Corporate

• Intellectual Property

• Labor & Employment

• Litigation

Admissions

• California

• Nevada

• U.S. District Court of California

Education

• University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 2013)

• University of California Los Angeles (B.A. 2008)

Associations

• Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley, Board Member

• National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys, Board Member

• Vietnamese American Professional Women of Silicon Valley, Board Member and Mentor

Lindsey Pho* Associate

160 W Santa Clara Street | Suite 1000 San Jose, CA 95113

lpho@messner.com

408.792.5924 direct | 408.298.7120 main

Lindsey Pho is an associate in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group and Corporate practice groups She provides transactional work, including drafting both internal and thirdparty agreements. She also counsels her clients regarding intellectual property issues, trademarks and copyrights, and employment matters. Lindsey has years of experience in corporate litigation, in both federal and state courts, involving a wide spectrum of matters including patent and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, wage and hour violations, breach of contract disputes and related tort actions.

Growing up and working in the Silicon Valley has provided Lindsey with a unique opportunity to work with many innovative clients, including those in the High Tech, entertainment, apparel, e-commerce, and food & beverage industries. Her primary goal is to find the most efficient and cost-effective means to resolve a dispute or problem for her clients.

She is on the Board of Directors for the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley, the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys, and the Vietnamese American Professional Women of Silicon Valley When not serving her clients, you can find Lindsey hiking, biking, snowboarding, skiing, or traveling the world – she has been to 30 countries. In April 2016, she became a certified yoga instructor.

*Part of the practice group though not licensed in AZ

Noteworthy

• General business counseling, including formation of corporations and limited liability companies, trademark registrations; Drafted legal memorandum re employee exempt eligibility analysis

• Successfully represented commercial property owner in settlement of a lot line/easement dispute with commercial tenant neighbor

• Lead attorney on a variety of breach of contract cases; Resolved a dispute between our client and her business partner over the purchase of a spa through negotiations, avoiding expensive litigation

• Successfully won a summary judgment in favor of client in a conspiracy to defraud claim to eliminate the cause of action against the client, prompting a favorable settlement shortly before trial

• Successfully opposed Motions to Dismiss, Motion for Temporary Receiver, and Application for Writ of Attachment in U.S. District Courts

• Obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against bank to stop client’s home from being sold in foreclosure sale; Kept client from losing her home by alleging violations of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights

• Defended commercial property owners in federal cases regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Represented homeowner’s association in an assessment collection which settled; Researched Davis-Stirling Act and enforcement of CC&Rs

• Participated in multi-million dollar estate litigation involving ownership of multiple business entities

Practice Area

Complex Commercial Litigation

Messner Reeves Litigation Group is comprised of experienced litigators from former Big Law practices joining forces to establish the Messner Reeves Litigation Team. Whether pursuing patent violations or defending infringement claims, our attorneys can provide the assistance you need. We represent inventors and entrepreneurs, to Fortune 500 companies . Our litigators represent clients in a wide range of cases, with particular emphasis on businessrelated litigation in both state and federal courts..

Our trial lawyers are experienced in jury and bench trials, arbitrations, appeals and administrative proceedings, and are licensed in a number of jurisdictions and manage cases in numerous other states. We make full use of state-of-the-art litigation and courtroom technology to clearly and effectively advocate for our clients. Although we approach every case as though it will go all the way through trial, we also understand that there are a variety of methods and strategies by which disputes may be resolved. To that end, early in each engagement, we develop the appropriate strategy to position a case consistent with the client’s objectives and to make use of alternative dispute resolution procedures when appropriate.

Our litigators also have considerable experience in successfully collaborating with corporate representatives and members of the firm’s other practice groups, leading to more efficient, cost-effective representation. Our diverse clients range from individuals to local, regional and national firms, publicly and privately held businesses, banks, manufacturers, accounting firms, insurance companies, construction companies and energy firms.

LITIGATION

•Administrative & Regulatory Proceedings

•Appellate

•Commercial

•Construction

•Corporate & Commercial Disputes

•Directors & Officers Liability

•Easement & Land Use Disputes

•Environmental & Natural Resources

•Errors & Omissions

•Healthcare

•Import & Export Disputes

•Injunction Proceedings

•Insurance Coverage, Bad Faith

•Insurance Disputes

•Intellectual Property

•Labor and Employment

•Long-Term Care

•Physician, Dentist and Hospital Defense

•Product Liability Defense

•Professional Liability Defense

Litigation

•Professional Licensure & Peer Review

•Real Estate: Foreclosure, Lender

Liability, Mortgage Fraud, Quiet Title & Title

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation

• Labor & Employment

• Litigation

• Premises Liability

• Real Estate

• Retail, Restaurants & Hospitality

Admissions

• Arizona

• Oregon

• Washington

Education

• Arizona Summit Law School, J.D. 2012

• University of Pittsburgh, B.S. Finance, Certificate of German Language, 2006

Associations

• Arizona State Bar

• Washington State Bar

• Oregon State Bar

• Arizona Association of Defense Counsel

• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel

• Washington Defense Trial Lawyers

ERICA M. DEATHERAGE Partner

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

mdeatherage@messner.com

602.635.6133 direct | 602.457.5059 main

Ms. Erica Deatherage is a Partner in the litigation practice group based out of the firm's Phoenix office. Erica is an experienced litigator and tenacious advocate specializing in employment, personal injury, premises liability, and general liability defense in Arizona, Oregon and Washington. Erica boasts significant experience in representing clients in a variety of disputes, including personal injury, premises liability, employment, landlordtenant, dram shop liability, construction defect, homeowners association defense, product liability, medical malpractice, and professional liability claims. She is a trial lawyer and has successfully conducted numerous trials and arbitrations in Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

During law school, Erica was a Student Prosecutor for the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s office where she gained valuable bench and jury trial experience. Prior to attending law school, Erica worked in the financial industry for a Fortune 500 company. Her diverse background has helped her develop the ability to quickly identify the key issues in a case and develop an effective and efficient legal strategy that generates the most optimal outcomes for her clients.

In her free time, Erica enjoys lifting weights, running, and spending time with her family and friends.

Professional Experience

• Prior to coming to Messner, Erica worked for a national law firm and multiple well regarded insurance defense law firms in the Portland, Oregon area.

Noteworthy

• Obtained arbitration defense verdict in discrimination case brought under Arizona Civil Rights Act where plaintiffs alleged that they were refused service based on their race and gender. The arbitrator agreed that defendant lawfully refused service under the Arizona Civil Rights Act. Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona, 2021.

• Obtained partial summary judgment for client resulting in dismissal of plaintiff’s breach of contract claim for failure to pay under the underinsured motorist provision of the policy. The court agreed that the claim was premature and not viable. Lane County Circuit Court, Oregon, 2019.

• Obtained arbitration defense verdict in slip-and-fall case. The arbitrator agreed that defendant did not have notice of an unreasonably dangerous condition and therefore could not be liable. King County Superior Court, Washington, 2019.

• Obtained arbitration defense verdict in landlord-tenant mold exposure case where plaintiffs alleged personal injuries from mold exposure in rental. The arbitrator agreed that plaintiffs failed to prove causation of their injuries and returned a defense verdict. Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon, 2019.

• Obtained an arbitration defense verdict on behalf of a client in a car accident involving hotly contested liability. Snohomish County Superior Court, Washington, 2020.

• Obtained defense verdict in civil bench trial in highly contentious neighbor dispute that resulted in significant attorney award in favor of defendants. King County Superior Court, Washington 2022.

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property

• Intellectual Property Strategic Counseling

• Litigation

• Patent Litigation

• Trademark and Trade Dress Litigation

• Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition Litigation

Admissions

• Arizona

Education:

• Arizona Summit Law School J.D., magna cum laude, 2015

• Arizona State University B.S.E.E., 2002

• Major: Electrical Engineering

Associations

• Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

OTTO E. HINKS Associate

7250 N. 16th Street | Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85020

ohinks@messner.com

602.641.6709 direct | 602.457.5059 main |

Mr. Hinks is a part of the Intellectual Property team, based in the firm’s Phoenix, Arizona, Office. He has extensive experience assisting in all litigation matters.

Mr. Hinks counsels clients with patents, litigation, and other intellectual property issues. He prepares and executes cease and desist actions, discovery, motion practice, claim construction, and proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Hinks also helps clients enforce intellectual property on various e-commerce platforms, including utilizing Amazon’s Patent Evaluation Express (APEX). His experience includes advising clients in the following:

Procurement and enforcement

Patent, trademark, and copyright litigation

Trade secret and trade dress litigation

Unfair competition and false advertising litigation

Before law school, Mr. Hinks spent over a decade on the management team for a privately run company based in Phoenix. This business background informs his understanding of his client’s overall business needs and how those needs interact practically and strategically with intellectual property and commercial litigation issues.

Noteworthy

• Arizona Summit Law Review (Executive Board, Executive Articles Editor)

• Intellectual Property Student Association (Member)

• CALI Awards for Lawyering Process II, Patent Law and Drafting, and Evidence

• ASU:

• Maroon and Gold Scholar Athlete (Men’s Varsity Swim Team)

• NCAA Division 1 Swimming and Diving Team All American

Practice Areas

• Litigation

• Workers’ Compensation

Admissions

• Colorado

• Arizona

Education & Honors

• University of Wyoming, B.S. 1989

• University of Wyoming J.D., 1992

• McGeorge School of Law Europe Summer Institute, London

Associations

• NAPW: National Association of Professional Women

• University of Wyoming Alumni Association

Kathleen J. Mowry Partner

1550 Wewatta Street, Suite 710 Denver, CO 80202 kmowry@messner.com 720.219.1418direct | 303.623.1800main

Ms. Mowry is a member of the litigation section and works primarily in the Labor and Employment Group, including representing clients with Workers’ Compensation matters. As an AV rated attorney, Ms. Mowry has nearly two decades of extensive experience litigating cases ranging from workers’ compensation claims through the Colorado appellate courts. She has handled every type of workers’ compensation matter; administrative proceedings filed with the EEOC and Colorado Civil Rights Division; and trials in both state and federal courts involving such issues as employment contract disputes; sexual harassment; age, race, gender and disability discrimination; and retaliation claims. Ms. Mowry also has experience representing clients in general litigation matters including subrogation issues, negligence and premises liability cases.

Ms. Mowry’s practice includes not only representing clients with litigated matters, but providing personal counseling services to counsel clients with respect to compliance issues, personnel matters and effective strategies to lessen or avoid litigation if possible. Ms. Mowry is licensed to practice in both Colorado and the 10th Circuit in Federal Court.

Prior to joining Messner Reeves, Ms. Mowry was a partner and shareholder at Treece Alfrey Musat.P.C. where she specialized in employment, general litigation and workers’ compensation defense.

Professional Experience:

• Treece Alfrey Musat, Partner & Shareholder

• Senter, Goldfarb and Rice, Associate

• Colorado State House of Representatives, Amendment Clerk 1994 session

• H.E. Carleno & Associates, Law Clerk, General Civil & Criminal Litigation

• Teton County D.A.’s Office, Jackson, Wyoming –Clerkship

Practice Areas

• Business Litigation

• Construction Law

• Insurance Defense

• Labor & Employment

• Litigation

Admissions

• Arizona

• Colorado

• U.S. Court of Appeals of the Tenth Circuit

• U.S. Court of Appeals of the Eleventh Circuit

• U.S. District Court of Colorado

Education & Honors

• Colorado State University, Business Administration and Marketing

• University of Denver, Sturm College of Law Associations

• Colorado Defense Lawyers Association

• Defense Research Institute

• Colorado Bar Association

• AmericanBarAssociation

• DenverBarAssociation

• FacultyofFederalAdvocates

Adam M. Royval Partner

1550 Wewatta Street, Suite 710 Denver, CO 80202

aroyval@messner.com

303.605.1573 direct | 303.623.1800 main

Mr. Royval has significant experience with both transactional and litigation matters but practices mostly in the firm’s litigation group. He works on all types of litigated matters including employment disputes, class actions, shareholder suits, personal injury cases, construction defect matters and insurance cases.

Adam attended Colorado State University in his hometown of Fort Collins where he obtained his business degrees. Afterward, he moved to Denver and attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he served as a General Editor of the Law Review and had his work selected for national publication.

After law school, Adam spent the early part of his career at a boutique downtown law firm practicing primarily commercial transactional matters including merger and acquisition projects, corporate and entity structuring and commercial leasing. He represented both small and large businesses throughout the country in high-value transactions and learned to cater to his clients’ specialized needs.

Following his time as a transactional attorney, Adam transitioned into a highly successful litigation firm specializing in defending construction professionals and commercial entities in tort litigation. There, he learned from some of the most successful attorneys in the state and honed the skills necessary to successfully represent his clients in court and elsewhere.

After approximately three years working an intense litigation practice, Adam joined Messner Reeves in late 2014. A Colorado native, Adam is also an avid snowboarder and golfer and has recently taken up cycling. He can be found in the mountains or on the golf course when he’s not in the office

Practice Areas

• Appellate

• Complex Commercial Litigation

• Labor & Employment

Admissions

• Colorado

• Arizona

Education & Honors

• University of Colorado – B.A. Poli-Sci 1996 / University of Colorado Law School 2003

Associations

• CDLA

• Denver Bar Association

• Colorado Bar Association

IAN R. MITCHELL Partner

1550 Wewatta Street, Suite 710 Denver, CO 80202

imitchell@messner.com

720.306.8174 direct | 303.623.1800 main

Ian Ray Mitchell is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Mitchell received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 2003. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado in 1996. Mr. Mitchell is admitted to practice law in the States of Colorado and Arizona and the United States District Court for the Districts of Colorado and Arizona. Mr. Mitchell has also litigated cases in Wyoming and Utah. His practice emphasizes complex civil litigation cases involving first party claims, commercial and contractual disputes including contract litigation, indemnification and tender assessments, premises liability, personal injury claims, motor vehicle and common carrier accidents, employment disputes, and a specialty in worker’s compensation subrogation.

Practice Areas

Messner Reeves has earned a distinguished reputation for offering effective legal counsel, quick response and the highest level of professional integrity in the following areas of practice:

Local Lawyers with a National Presence

Messner Reeves attorneys collaborate and draw upon the firm's national resources to offer exceptional localized legal services, and have earned a distinguished reputation for offering effective legal counsel with the highest level of professional integrity.

OUR FIRM

147 TOTAL ATTORNEYS NATIONWIDE

306 TOTAL EMPLOYEES NATIONWIDE

*Messner Reeves numbers updated as of March 2023

LISCENSED

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN 25 STATES

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN 18 FEDERAL COURT DISTRICTS

messner.com