Bernard is a registered patent attorney in Troutman Sanders’ Intellectual Property practice group. His practice focuses on intellectual property related issues, including an extensive trademark and patent prosecution practice and infringement issues.
Bernard concentrates on management and strategic development of patent portfolios and has significant experience with university technology transfer offices and technology startup companies. He assists startup companies with protection strategies for core intellectual property assets and clearance of products to avoid the intellectual property of others. Specifically, he obtained domestic and foreign trademarks and patents for clients in the chemical, life sciences, material science and mechanical arts including polymerization processes and polymers, organic chemicals, drug delivery, pharmaceuticals, mechanical reactors, alloys, cemented carbides, cutting tools, and power tools. Bernard also drafts noninfringement, freedom to operate, and validity opinions and conducts post patent issuance proceedings including U.S. Reexaminations and European Oppositions.
Bernard’s practice includes significant life science experience. He counsels life science companies concerning their intellectual property development, protection, and ownership. He has drafted life science license agreements, joint development agreements, and confidentiality agreements. Bernard has assisted start-ups and large companies with intellectual property related to all facets of life sciences including; biomedical devices, drug delivery, wound treatment, pharmaceuticals, and cancer treatments.
Bernard has a Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University where he focused on biochemical engineering and fermentation processes. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Bernard was a chemical engineer in process and product development and process engineering at several companies across the United States, such as Albright & Wilson Americas, Inc.; Bayer Corporation; and the Belcan Corporation.
Bernard provides ongoing analysis and commentary on developments in intellectual property law, with a focus on Virginia. Please visit his Virginia IP Law blog at http://www.virginiaIPlaw.com.
Representative Experience
Representing clients in matters involving organic chemistry, polymers, polymerization processes, polymer films, nanotechnology, carbon nanotube production, MEMS devices, material science, specialty alloys, mechanical devices, cutting tools, gas and oil drill bits, oil exploration, and calatytic reactions
Handling domestic and international patent prosecution; supporting patent litigation
Drafting patentability opinions, infringement/noninfringement opinions, and freedom to operate opinions
Assisting clients with trademark clearance and prosecution
Developing new processes and products in engineering industry (prior to law school), as well as managing capital engineering projects and process engineering projects, including specification of magnetically coupled mechanical equipment
Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Presenter, Troutman Sanders LLP Seminar "Protecting Your Intellectual Property," Virginia Beach, February 2009
Memberships
Greater Richmond Intellectual Property Law Association (GRIPLA), Board Member
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Member (1999-Present)