Education

• Xavier University

  (A.B., 1974)

• University of Michigan Law School

  (J.D., 1977)

• University of Paris, Sorbonne

  (Diplome annuel de la cour de langue et civilisation, 1973)

Admissions

• State of Ohio
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

• Extensive experience since 1993 in trademarks, copyrights, licensing matters, intellectual property, software agreements, advertising and labeling (consumer products such as dietary supplements), and administrative (e.g., CPSC, FTC, FDA).
• Extensive experience since 1981 representing closely held corporations in business matters, venture-capital funding, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Successfully appealed a trade dress protection case for a market newcomer accused of copying a large competitor’s unpatented grease pump. The Sixth Circuit reversed the decision and saved the client $2 million in damages.
• From 1981 to 1993, in-house counsel with Bristol-Myers Squibb (The Drackett Co.) and Johnson’s Wax (The Drackett Co.) in intellectual-property matters (trademarks, licensing), acquisitions, divestitures, administrative law, and truth in advertising.

Client Alerts

• "As California Enacts New Data-Privacy Laws, So May the Nation," Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert (November 2020)
• "The California Consumer Privacy Act Is Coming: Are You Ready?," Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert (October 2019)
• “New EU Data Protection Regulation Raises the Stakes for Compliance,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (December 2015)
• “European Decision Invalidating the Safe Harbor Requires Many Companies to Reassess Their Privacy Programs,” Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert (October 2015)
• “Target Reached a Historic Settlement with Visa Stemming from Target’s Data Breach,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (August 2015)
• “Data Breach Insurance Coverage Denied by the Connecticut Supreme Court,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (June 2015)
• “House Passes Cybersecurity Bills to Enable Companies to Share Threat Information,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (April 2015)
• “Cybersecurity Exam by SEC Provides Insight About Focal Points for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers,” (reprint of Ulmer & Berne LLP Client Alert) Financial Markets Association “Market Solutions Newsletter” Volume 24, Number 1 (March 2015)
• “Cybersecurity Exam by SEC Provides Insight About Focal Points for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (February 2015)

Publications

• “A Primer On NCAA Athletes’ Right Of Publicity,” Law360(July 2013)
• “Final SEC and CFTC Red Flag Rules Require Compliance by November 2013,” Ulmer & Berne LLP, Client Alert (May 2013)

Presentations

• “Data & Privacy in the Financial Services Industry: How Can You Stay Current?” Ulmer, Hot Topics in Financial Services & Securities Litigation Webinar (December 2019)
• “E-Commerce: Brand Enhancement and Enforcement Issues,” Nationwide CLE Series (November 2015)
• “Data Privacy & Security for Startups,” Queen City Angels (June 2015)
• “Practical Cybersecurity: Translating Legal Requirements into Business Decisions,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Northeast Ohio (February 2015)
• “20 Minutes + A Beer: Find out about false advertising,” American Advertising Federation, Cincinnati (July 2014)
• “Power Up Your Professional Network,” University of Virginia Career Services (February 2013)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Foundation (Fellow, Class of 2004)
• Cincinnati Bar Association (Board of Trustees, 1991 – 1995)
• Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati (Past President, Member, Board of Trustees, 1990 – present)
• Community Law Center (President, Board of Trustees)
• Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Cincinnati Opera (Board of Trustees, 2017)
• Cincinnati Athletic Club (Past President, Board of Trustees)
• Greater Cincinnati Venture Association (Past President, formerly Board of Trustees)
• American Heart Association, Cincinnati Division (Advisory Board, Chair, 1991-1994; Board Member, 1988-2010)
• St. Xavier High School (Board of Trustees, 1995-2001)
• The Seven Hills School (Board of Trustees, 1992-2000; Secretary of Board of Trustees, 1995-1999)
• Comprehensive Community Child Care (4C) (Board of Trustees, 1988-1996; Chairman of Board of Trustees, 1994-1995)
• Xavier University (General Chairman, Annual Fund, Alumni Division, 1990-1991; Annual Fund, Class Chair, Class of 1974)

FIRM INVOLVEMENT

• Data Privacy & Information Security, Co-Group Leader

• Ranked as one of Ohio’s “Leaders in Their Field” in Intellectual Property by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2018-2023)
• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law; Trademark Law (2015-2024)
• Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2007; 2008; 2018-2023)
• Named a Cincy Leading Lawyer in Copyright & Trademark in a survey of lawyers by Cincy Magazine (2007-2023)
• Recognized in the World Trademark Review ‘s WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (2016-2023)

• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Report
• Chambers USA 2023 Report Gives Ulmer Top Marks
• Four Ulmer Partners Recognized in 2023 WTR 1000 Rankings
• Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes 69 Ulmer Attorneys in 2023 Lists
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Report
• Ulmer Earns Top Marks in Chambers USA 2022 Report
• Three Ulmer Partners Recognized in 2022 WTR 1000 Rankings
• Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes Ulmer Attorneys in 2022 Lists
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Report
• Ulmer & Berne Honored in Chambers USA 2021 Edition
• Ohio Super Lawyers Honors Ulmer Attorneys in 2020 Lists
• Best Lawyers® 2020: 60 Ulmer Attorneys Recognized, Two Partners Named “Lawyer of the Year”
• Ulmer & Berne Receives Top Rankings from Chambers USA
• Eleven Ulmer Attorneys Recognized as Cincy Leading Lawyers