The good part is, we need an agreement

June 20, 2007 8:10 AM

Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced lawyer with a experience with intellectual property agreements? Specifically software, but maybe that's not so critical. My usual sources aren't being that much help. Anywhere in the U.S. would be fine, Michigan would be best of all.

I need an agreement drafted, pretty quickly, that will cover everything we need, without costing the moon and the stars. I know laywers are expensive, but am hoping for reasonable rather than top of the line.

posted by EllenC to Law & Government (6 answers total)

Best answer: What a coincidence, I had this IP lawyer recommended to me yesterday by another lawyer whose opinion I value highly:

Susan M. Kornfield, Partner
Intellectual Property Practice Group
ANN ARBOR OFFICE
734-930-2488
[e-mail]
http://www.bodmanllp.com/attorneys/susan_m_kornfield_partner.html

I don't know about pricing. Can't hurt to ask.
posted by Eringatang at 8:35 AM on June 20, 2007

Best answer: Susan Kornfeld is super-sharp and she knows her shit. And she's a partner. And she speaks nationally. Ergo, she will not be cheap.

Another person you might try is Chris Taylor. Also very sharp and knowledgeable about geek stuff. They may be more reasonably priced than Bodman, but I don't know for sure.

Good luck. You're heading into the high dollar segment of the market; most of the good people cater to big companies with deep pockets and pricing will likely reflect that.
posted by ulotrichous at 9:29 AM on June 20, 2007

Best answer: The lawyer who gave me Susan's contact information is: Jeff Schox. He also maybe be able to help you, his specialty is patent law, but he does IP too I think.
posted by Eringatang at 11:05 AM on June 20, 2007

Best answer: To clarify, a patent is intellectual property.

My friend works for this law firm. They're a real powerhouse; they do great work and are value-priced. They're in Chicago, but that shouldn't matter for you. Call the general number and they will direct you properly.

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
300 S Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60606
312 913 0001
posted by BuddhaBelly at 3:25 PM on June 20, 2007

Best answer: May I recommend myself? In case you want to keep it in the MeFi family, you know.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:16 PM on June 20, 2007

A patent is intellectual property, yes. Filing a patent and drawing up an IP contract are different.
posted by Eringatang at 7:48 AM on June 21, 2007