Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick moves into the Michigan market

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, a full-service business law firm, is expanding into the Michigan market through a combination with the Miller IP Group, PLC.

The Miller IP Group specialized in preparing and prosecuting patent applications, with significant experience for inventions relating to highly technical subject matters in the electrical and mechanical arts. Located at 42690 Woodward Ave. in suite 300, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick will take over half of the third floor in the current 3,000-square-foot space.

John Miller, an attorney that specializes in preparing and prosecuting patent applications for inventions, will continue to manage the Bloomfield Hills-based office as a partner with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. Michael Marra, a patent agent, previously worked at the Miller IP Group to complement and work alongside the firm’s attorneys.

“John Miller and Michael Marra bring great skill and experience to the firm and further strengthens our intellectual property group,” said Thomas P. Dillon, managing partner of the firm’s Toledo, Ohio office and firm-wide management committee co-chair. “The new Bloomfield Hills office will allow us to better serve our clients within the Michigan market. Now, the firm’s intellectual property group has 30 attorneys across our Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Ohio offices.” 

Miller’s background also includes client counseling, drafting various intellectual property opinions, including patentability, freedom-to-practice and validity and non-infringement opinions. He routinely practices before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Miller is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Patent Law Association.

Prior to his career in law, Miller was a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he examined hundreds of patent applications for inventions relating to mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, ion implantation devices and many other technologies in the radiant energy classification.

The Michigan native earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Wayne State University.

“This combination creates the additional resources and support of a larger firm that will further benefit our current clients as they expand and grow within their respective industries while also ensuring the continued high-quality service they have come to expect,” said Miller. “In the future, we look forward to expanding our size, reach and areas of representation, such as litigation and various other disciplines.”

Marra prepares and prosecutes patent applications for inventions in a wide range of subject matter areas, including mechanical, aerospace, electrical, electronic, autonomous and other vehicle control systems, fuel cells, business processes and computer algorithms and software. He is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases and is a member of the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association.

Before becoming a patent agent, Marra worked as an engineer in the automotive industry for over 20 years, where he designed and analyzed chassis, body and powertrain systems for vehicles. He received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

About Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP - Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 260 lawyers and six offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Shumaker is a premier provider of quality legal services. Whether it’s commitment to clients or work in the community, involvement lies at the core of all of Shumaker’s initiatives. For more information, call 419-241-9000 or visit SLK-Law.com.

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available