Mike is actively involved in intellectual property registration, licensing and litigation throughout the United States and internationally.  He frequently represents clients in Federal Court and specializes in intellectual property and technology matters.  Mike has represented clients in actions and negotiations across the spectrum of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, advertising, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, covenants not to disclose, computer software, publishing, endorsements, the Internet and domain names. 

Representative Experience
Intellectual property counsel to Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mizuno Corporation, The Southern Company, Dollar General Corporation, HD Supply, Inc., Mohawk Carpet Corporation, The Step Company, ChoicePoint, Inc., Integrity Toys, The PGA Tour, Inc., Davidson College, NewsBank, Inc., YKK Corporation of America and Alton Brown

Represented numerous authors in agreements with book publishers

Represented numerous licensors and licensees in trademark, copyright and software license agreements

Frequently served as mediator in trademark infringement litigation

Counsel to numerous clients in trademark, copyright and domain name infringement actions in federal court and before administrative agencies

Administered multiple sweepstakes and promotions for Mizuno Corporation, the Southern Company, Georgia Power Company, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Cousins Properties Incorporated, Leica Geosystems, Crystal Springs Water, Holiday Inn, Mohawk Carpet Corporation, XM Satellite Radio, General Motors Corporation and others

Listed correspondent and procured over 2200 trademark registrations in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Procured trademark registrations in over 90 countries

Successfully represented client in ICANN dispute proceeding to obtain southerncompany.com, southernlincwireless.com and other domain names

Represented clients in numerous other domain name sales, purchases, licenses and disputes

Represented clients in negotiations for product and service endorsement agreements with Chipper Jones, Paul Azinger, Luke Donald, Billy Andrade, Todd Helton, John Smoltz, Jeff Sluman, Larry Mize, John Cook, Brad Elder, Bob Tway, Edwin Moses, Teresa Edwards, U.S. National Volleyball Team, U.S. National Softball Team and others

Set up national licensing plan for fitness instruction program

Represented numerous clients in advertising review and compliance matters, including review for FTC, national television network broadcast, false advertising and comparative advertising issues

Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Emerging Trademark Threats with Social Media," BrightTALK Webinars, January 2010

Speaker, "The Instant Impact of Apple, Inc. v. Psystor," ExecSense Webinars, November 2009

Speaker, "Understanding the Instant Impact of Cincom Systems v. Novelis, Inc.," ExecSense Webinars, October 2009

Speaker, "Fraud Issues in Prosecution, TTAB Proceedings and Litigation," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2009

Speaker, "Instant Impact-Understanding Facebook's Username Cybersquatting Risks to Your Client," ExecSense Webinars, June 2009

Roundtable Moderator, "Security Interests in Intellectual Property," INTA Annual Meeting, May 2009, May 2005

Speaker, "Recent Developments in Sports-Related Litigation," State Bar of Georgia Entertainment and Sports Law Section, December 2008

Speaker, "Protecting the Intellectual Property of Athletes and Celebrities," Intellectual Property Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2008

Speaker, "Domain Names, Cybersquatting and Protecting Your Brands on the Internet," Georgia State University, October 2008

Panelist, “The Next Frontier In Due Diligence: Changing Importance of IP in M&A”, Intellectual Property Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2007.

Moderator, "Managing Employee IP Legal Issues," Corporate Intellectual Property Institute, Georgia State University, October 2007.

Speaker, "Intellectual Property for the Entrepreneur," Georgia State University, March 2006

Co-Chair and Speaker, "Management of Technology in the Workplace," The Seminar Group, January 2006, August 2006

Speaker, "The Top Trademark Decisions of 2004," Minnesota State Bar Association, March 2005

Speaker, "Trademark Law Update," Georgia Springposium, April 2005, April 2006

Panelist, "Sports Marketing: Endorsements, Sponsorships and Merchandising," Hot Topics and Trends in Sports Licensing, Sponsorships, and Athletic Endorsements, State Bar of Georgia Entertainment and Sports Law Section, April 2005

Speaker, "Effective Corporate IP Programs," Law Seminars International, December 2004, November 2005

Speaker, "Trademark Law for the Entertainment Lawyer," Entertainment Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2004

Speaker, "Trademark Portfolio - Acquisition and Protection Workshop," Law Seminars International, July 2004

Chair, "Understanding Basic Trademark Law," Practicing Law Institute, October 2003

Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," State Bar of Georgia Mid-year Meeting, January 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Speaker, "Understanding Trademarks in Georgia," Lorman Education Services, May 2001

Speaker, "The Legal Nexus Between Sports & Entertainment Issues," State Bar of Georgia Entertainment Law Section, April 2001, March 2003

Speaker, "Internet E-Commerce & Computer Law," Cincinnati Bar Association, May 2001

Speaker, "Intellectual Property Litigation," Sponsored by Law Seminars International, April 2001

Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006

Speaker, "Current Issues in IP Licensing," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, October 1997

Panelist, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997

Speaker, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997

Speaker, "Doing Business in the Pacific Rim," Intellectual Property Issues, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, July 1992

Publications
Author, "Preparing a Client When Dealing with Domain Name and Internet 2.0 Type Disputes," Reed Seminars, 2009.

Author, "Managing Advertising & Marketing Legal Issues," Aspatore Books, 2008

Author, "Protecting Big Ideas," Buckhead Home & Life Magazine, Fall 2008

Author, “Getting to know the Client,” Advertising and Marketing Law: Client Strategies, Aspatore Books, 2007

Author, "Orange Flavor Is No Trademark", The National Law Journal, April 23, 2007

Author, "Builder Beware: How to Avoid Blueprint and Building Design Lawsuits," Construction Business Owner Magazine, August 2006

Public Service
Board of Directors, Central Presbyterian Church Outreach and Advocacy Center, Inc. (2008-present)

Board of Directors, Hammonds House Museum (2009-present)

Board of Directors, Buckhead YMCA (2000-2009)

Board of Directors and General Counsel, Children's Museum of Atlanta (2004-present)

Volunteer, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts (1996-present)