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I am an avid technologist and my interests range from computer programming to organic synthesis. As an undergraduate, I received Wittenberg University's Division of Analytical Chemistry Award for construction and programming of a computer-controlled automatic titrator. As part of this award, I became a member of the American Chemical Society in 2001.
I earned my Ph.D. at The Ohio State University where my dissertation involved organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry. I developed an optimized synthetic route to a key intermediate in the synthesis of a new class of supramolecular hosts we called "molecular baskets." This work enabled the scale-up and preparation of several hosts that was critical for studying their encapsulation properties.
I continue to be involved in the ACS and was awarded the 2012 Catalyst Award by the Cincinnati Section of the ACS for my contribution to the Local Section. In November 2013, I was elected Chairman of the Indiana Section of the ACS. I helped to organize the national ACS meeting in 2012 which was held in Indianapolis. I worked with a group of dedicated chemists from Eli Lilly, Dow AgroSciences, and other Indianapolis-based companies to help ensure a successful meeting for over 10,000 chemists.
I am currently a patent and trademark attorney and Partner at Woodard, Emhardt, Henry, Reeves & Wagner LLP in Indianapolis, Indiana where I have worked since graduating from law school in 2012.
My practice includes the preparation and prosecution of patent applications as well as litigation cases. I am frequently involved in litigation where the damages sought are several hundred million dollars. For example, I have been a key member of a litigation team which has successfully defended an accusation of trade secret misappropriation where the plaintiff was seeking over $200MM. After a two week jury trial, the jury found that the plaintiff failed to prove existence of the trade secret. I am also the sole chemist and key leader in a patent infringement litigation regarding polymer binder chemistry where our team represents the patent owner and plaintiff. This litigation involves nine asserted patents, and our team successfully defended these patents in 13 Inter Partes Review proceedings and 7 ex parte Reexamination proceedings at the U.S. patent office.
In addition to litigation matters, I continue to be extensively involved, and enjoy all aspects of patent prosecution including preparation and prosecution in the chemical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device arts--among others.
My prosecution experience not only includes practice with the USPTO, but also directing the work of foreign associates in patent offices around the world. I frequently assist in representation of a large privately-held medical device manufacturer in Indiana.
