Mike is a first-chair trial lawyer with 30 years of wide-ranging complex civil trial experience, concentrating on intellectual property, environmental, toxic exposure, and wildlife cases. In addition to dozens of jury trials, he has counseled his many archery and outdoor industry clients on complex copyright, patent, and trademark issues, including protection, enforcement, and related to the acquisition, monetization, and licensing of these valuable client assets.
Mike has litigated cases throughout the United States, handled appeals, including precedent setting decisions on issues related to copyrightability, “useful articles,” and the merger doctrine.
He is also a recognized wildlife law attorney, representing clients on ultra-niche issues such as the transfer, importation, and permitting of wildlife. Mike regularly represents museums with the acquisition of natural history specimens and counsels clients on the labyrinth of wildlife laws and prohibitions, including pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the Lacey Act.
Mike has held a wide variety of professional leadership positions, including his current positions as chair of the New York State Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, the chair of Barclay Damon’s Branding, Trademarks & Licensing Practice Area, and co-leader of the firm's Outdoor & Wildlife Team.
His extensive trial experience has given him a unique perspective on the cost, uncertainty, and unpredictability of trials and outcomes, which has prepared him as a neutral in his growing arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution practice.
Mike is a member of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Executive Committee, has been named to numerous court-approved ADR panels, and has been named as a neutral to multiple panels, including the American Arbitration Association and the International Trademark Association (Panel of Neutrals).