Michael advises technology, life sciences, software, and data-driven businesses on the protection, commercialization, and strategic use of intellectual property and technology assets.
Michael’s practice spans patent portfolio management, technology transactions, artificial intelligence, privacy and data governance, and complex commercial agreements. Combining deep intellectual property experience with practical business judgment, Michael helps clients structure transactions, manage risk, and maximize the value of innovation throughout the business lifecycle—from research and development through commercialization, strategic partnerships, financing, and exit transactions.
- Serves as lead counsel on complex technology transactions involving software, artificial intelligence, cloud services, data rights, SaaS platforms, and strategic commercial partnerships, helping clients successfully commercialize innovative products and services.
- Advises companies on the acquisition, protection, licensing, and monetization of intellectual property portfolios, developing legal strategies that preserve core assets while facilitating growth, investment, and market expansion.
- Manages domestic and international patent portfolio strategy for technology innovators, including patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio development, freedom-to-operate analyses, due diligence, and strategic counseling relating to high-value intellectual property assets.
- Negotiates and structures agreements involving artificial intelligence platforms, machine learning technologies, proprietary datasets, and data-driven products, addressing intellectual property, privacy, security, and regulatory considerations.
- Represents technology companies, startups, and research institutions in patent, software, and technology licensing transactions, including commercialization agreements, university technology transfer arrangements, and sponsored research collaborations.
- Guides clients through the intellectual property and technology aspects of mergers, acquisitions, financings, and strategic transactions, identifying and resolving critical ownership, licensing, open-source, and data rights issues affecting transaction value.
- Advises businesses on privacy, cybersecurity, and information governance matters, including the negotiation of data processing agreements, business associate agreements, security addenda, and vendor risk management frameworks.
- Recognized firm leader in legal innovation and artificial intelligence, serving as Chair of the Technology Committee. Leads the firm’s AI strategy, governance, and responsible deployment initiatives, establishing policies that support secure, ethical, and effective use of emerging technologies. Develops AI-enabled tools and workflow solutions that enhance efficiency, knowledge management, and the delivery of legal services.
- American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
- Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
- Meritas – Global Information Technology Group
- The Q. Todd Dickinson Intellectual Property American Inn of Court, Barrister
- Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, Member
- Three Rivers Venture Fair, Coach’s Committee
- Penn State Venture and IP Conference, Coach’s Committee
- Carnegie Mellon University Venture Challenge, Judge
- Sewickley Valley YMCA – Volunteer Coach
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (registered patent attorney)
- J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- IP and Technology Law Certificate
- B.S., Chemical Engineering and Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
- “A Primer on NFTs: What Do You Really Own?” The Legal Intelligencer. May 26, 2021.
- “There Are Limits to Flag Designs in Registered Trademarks,” MUS Blog. June 26, 2019.
- “Protecting Client Data is Key – But Don’t Forget Employee Data,” Accounting Today, April 22, 2019.
- “A Global Roadmap to Personal Data Protection – Asia Pacific, Europe & USA, 1st Edition”, Meritas, September 2018.
- “Intellectual Property: What You Need to Know,” Presenter, The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, June 19, 2018.
- “Cybersecurity Guidelines,” Presenter, consortium of trustees for municipal pensions, May 23, 2018.
- “Cybersecurity and the Construction Industry,” Presenter, Advisory Board Meeting of a Fortune 500 company, May 9, 2018.
- “Are Company Board Members Doing Enough to Stop Cybercrime?” The Colorado 100, November 27, 2017.
- “Business Practices & Considerations for a Healthy Business,” Presenter, The Institute For Entrepreneurial Excellence at The University of Pittsburgh, September 11, 2017.
- “The Second Step: Practical Legal Considerations for Your Growing Business,” Presenter, The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, April 12, 2017.
- “Construction Could Be the Next Target for Cyber Threats,” Property Casualty 360°, August 2017.
- “Congress Aims at Protecting Small Businesses From Cyberthreats,” The Legal Intelligencer, June 2017.
- “Legal Basics Bootcamp,” Presenter, The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University, September 22, 2016.
- “Legal Considerations”, Speaker, The Author’s Zone Writers Conference, September 10, 2016.
- “Five Key Aspects of New Federal Trade Secret Protection Law,” MUS Client Advisory, May 13, 2016.
- “After Lexmark, Is International Patent Exhaustion on the Horizon?”, Moderator, ABA IP Roundtable, December 2015.
- “3-D Printing Creates new Dimension of IP Concerns,” The Legal Intelligencer, April 2015.
- “Business Workshop: Consumers, Not Judges, Get to Decide Trademarks,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Business Workshop, March 3, 2015.
- Foreign Direct Investment: A View from the Inside, Contributor, The Global Legal Post, 2016.
