Christian C. Michel, a partner of the firm, specializes in litigation and the preparation and prosecution of patents, specifically in the electrical and mechanical arts. He has written and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications in a range of technologies including 3G and 4G cellular telecommunications; networking, ground fault and arc fault circuit interrupters; satellite communications; consumer electronics software and business methods; ink-jet and laser printing; biomedical devices; and election systems. His clients include many of the world’s leading telecommunications and electronics companies.
Mr. Michel has extensive knowledge and experience in counseling clients and providing opinions ranging from patent novelty to complex infringement and validity opinions. He is adept at getting to know his client’s business as well as their competitors’, devising IP strategies, and performing product clearance and even product redesigns when necessary.
Prior to his career in law, Mr. Michel worked as an engineer and manager for Sonoco Engraph Label Group, a global supplier of industrial and consumer packaging and a provider of innovative packaging solutions. While at Sonoco, Mr. Michel was responsible for a label manufacturing finishing process, including equipment and personnel, as well as the design and implementation of significant data acquisition projects and manufacturing equipment automation.
Education
Villanova University Law School, J.D., 1999
Lafayette College, B.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1992
Professional Affiliations
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
Bar & Court Admissions
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Awards & Honors
"Wapner Newman & Wigrizer Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy"
Moot Court, Villanova University
Select Representative Cases
MIT v. Lockheed Martin – patent infringement
Career Highlights
- Successfully defended Lockheed Martin against an allegation of patent infringement by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Obtained a favorable Markman ruling followed by summary judgment in our client's favor. This case was reported to be the first time MIT was defeated in a patent infringement case.
- Managed the filing and prosecution of over 2,500 patents for one of the leading consumer electronics companies in the world.