Intellectual Property & Technology


Why Choose Us

Your company’s intellectual property is the product of years of hard work, creativity, and determination – so are you doing what you need to protect your investment? Ulmer’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice can help secure your competitive position by establishing, preserving, defending, and commercializing your intellectual property (IP). Our business-minded IP attorneys understand the realities of the business and competitive landscapes you face. We carefully listen to learn your true objectives, and then create customized, targeted strategies to assist in reaching those goals.

Our diverse team of more than 25 dedicated attorneys includes those with technological backgrounds in electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering, and others who have worked as in-house IP counsel for mid-size and Fortune 500 companies. Drawing on this collective expertise, we work closely together to help establish and enforce your IP rights and advance your business interests.

“My impression of the team as a whole is excellent. Compared with other firms we have dealt with, they have better expertise, client relations, and expertise in technology.”

– Client feedback from Chambers USA

Who We Assist

Our team represents sophisticated clients who trust us to oversee their IP positions across a wide array of diverse technologies. This includes several leading domestic and international manufacturers of consumer goods, chemical products, electronic displays and instrumentation, wire and cable products, eyewear, and industrial equipment. We also oversee entire worldwide IP portfolios for several clients including, for example, a multinational lawn and garden company, a leading global producer of health and hygiene products, and one of the largest American manufacturers of children’s toys.

What We Do

In addressing the entire range of your IP needs, our attorneys listen, engage, and find creative solutions to complex matters. We counsel clients in all areas of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection, enforcement, and transactions. Offering the benefits of a full-service firm that is agile, responsive, and results oriented, our practice provides a comprehensive range of legal services, including but not limited to:

  • Preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent, trademark, and copyright applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, international registries, and applicable state authorities.
  • Litigating and resolving the complete gamut of high-stakes IP disputes in state and federal lawsuits, in proceedings before the USPTO, and through alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
  • Structuring, negotiating, documenting, and closing sophisticated technology-related license, lease, technology transfer, acquisition, and divestiture transactions.
  • Analyzing and rendering opinions regarding infringement and validity of IP rights.
  • Providing counsel on all aspects of the protection and exploitation of software-based IP.
  • Helping clients understand the power of trade secrets and protecting them through tailored restrictive covenants and litigation when necessary.
  • Advising with respect to ad campaigns and marketing promotions, including claims-substantiation matters, unfair competition, and false advertising claims.
  • Structuring businesses and joint ventures that commercialize or exploit technology-based products or assets.

February 28, 2023 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Partners John F. Bennett, Michael A. Marrero, Rachael L. Rodman, and Scott E. Rogers have been recognized in The World Trademark Review’s “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.” “This is an extraordinary group of attorneys...

January 12, 2023 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys to the firm. Ashley J. Earle joins the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group, and Tu-Anh (Amanda) Vo joins the Immigration Practice Group. Earle joins Ulmer’s Cincinnati office as an Associate. She focuses...

December 1, 2022 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce its continued growth across several key practices with the addition of six attorneys. The new attorneys include associate Jeremy B. Adell and staff attorney Hannah B. Webb in real estate, associate Rochel B. Adler in business law, associates...

October 19, 2022 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to share that Partner Rachael L. Rodman has been elected as Vice Chair of the Defense Research Institute (DRI)’s Intellectual Property Litigation Committee. The Intellectual Property Litigation Committee is dedicated to meeting member needs relating to substantive law issues in...

Megan Hymore brings significant in-house experience to Ulmer’s full-service IP team  May 17, 2022 – Ulmer & Berne LLP announced today that its industry-leading Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group is expanding again with the addition of Partner Megan C. Hymore to the firm’s Cincinnati office. Hymore is trusted by...

March 15, 2022 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Partners Michael A. Marrero, Rachael L. Rodman, and Scott E. Rogers have been recognized in The World Trademark Review’s “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.” In the guide, Ulmer’s team is “appreciated for the innovative...

April 26, 2021 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Jocelyn C. Smith to the firm’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group. Smith joins Ulmer’s Columbus office where she will advise clients on protection and enforcement of trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property rights. “We’re...

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was signed into law. Most famous for the inclusion of the $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package, the bill also included the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA), which will be implemented on December 27, 2021. The TMA was introduced as part...

November 11, 2020 – Building on the continued growth of its premier Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group, Ulmer & Berne LLP announced today the addition of IP litigator Paul J. Linden to the firm’s versatile team of business-minded IP attorneys. Joining Ulmer’s Cincinnati office, Linden brings a wealth of...

November 3, 2020 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Partners David W. Leopold and Vance V. VanDrake, III, have been honored in the latest issue of The National Law Journal (NLJ). In special supplements celebrating immigration and intellectual property attorneys across the country, Leopold was honored...

How much would it hurt your business to lose your Facebook or Shopify store, your Twitter handle, or your Amazon Brand registration? Today, more than ever, these secondary platforms define success or failure for an e-commerce or direct-to-consumer (DTC) business. Intellectual property (IP) law is here to help – and...

Brian Turung and Rita Kline expand firm’s Northeast Ohio presence protecting clients’ technologies and brands October 9, 2020 – One of Ohio’s most well-regarded and versatile intellectual property practices just got another significant boost. Ulmer & Berne LLP today announced the continued growth of its Intellectual Property & Technology Practice...

August 24, 2020 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of two new attorneys to its growing Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group. Courtney J. Miller joins Ulmer’s Columbus office as Counsel, and Douglas A. Gastright joins Ulmer’s Cincinnati office as an associate. “We’re thrilled to...

Ulmer Partner Rachael Rodman was published in the newly-released July/August issue of IP Litigator with her article, “Considerations for Global Patent Litigation.” In the article, Rodman explores a comparison of some of the major jurisdictions in which a global patent holder may consider filing suit, including the United States, Europe,...

Ulmer Partner Rachael L. Rodman recently provided her professional perspective to Bloomberg Law in her article, “Reasonable Measures Under the DTSA.” In the article, Rodman examines the Defend Trade Secrets Act and the factors courts consider in evaluating sufficient reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of information, and also provides...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the election of three partners to the firm, effective January 1, 2020. This class of new partners includes attorneys with backgrounds in diverse legal disciplines and who reflect Ulmer’s commitment to providing sophisticated advice and counsel. “We are happy to welcome Kristin,...

“The Patent Game” helps readers maximize value while bringing their innovations to life Patent law may not initially seem like an ideal candidate for gamification, but that is the incredibly effective and novel approach taken in a new, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive guide to developing a winning patent strategy now available...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Rachael L. Rodman was recently appointed as a member of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which is dedicated to establishing organizational focus around and executing programs based on diversity and inclusion. As one of IPO’s Management and...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Rachael L. Rodman was recently appointed as a Vice Chair of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) Women in IP Committee, which seeks to promote the advancement of women in IP law and to increase the diversity of IPO’s membership. As Vice...

Ulmer is pleased to announce that two new associates have joined the firm’s Cleveland and Cincinnati offices. Gregory C. Djordjevic joins the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group in Cleveland, and Elizabeth A. Conklin joins the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group in Cincinnati. Most recently an associate with Jones Day in...

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