News

^NEW New Associates Join Shumaker & Sieffert (October 2007)

Five new associates join Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. Ray Berdie, Matt Gage, Greg Albin, Ambar Nayate and Jeff Wilford recently joined the firm as patent attorneys. Ray, Matt, Greg and Ambar will assist in the firm’s electronics, software and medical device practice areas. Jeff will assist in the firm’s chemical, materials and medical device practice areas.

Steve Shumaker Named 2006 Minnesota Superlawyer (May 2006)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Steve Shumaker a Minnesota Superlawyer for 2006 in the field of Intellectual Property.  Steve's designation as a Superlawyer is the result of a survey of more than 12,000 lawyers across the State of Minnesota. About five percent of Minnesota lawyers were named Superlawyers. Superlawyer profiles will appear in the August 2006 issues of Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly.

Kelly Patrick Fitzgerald Named 2005 Minnesota Rising Star (August 2005)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Kelly Patrick Fitzgerald a Minnesota Rising Star for 2005 in the field of Intellectual Property.

Caryl Harriman Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (April, 2005)

Caryl Harriman has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a patent prosecution specialist.

Karen Sorenson Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (April, 2005)

Karen Sorenson has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a patent prosecution specialist.

Sanders Gwin Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (January, 2005)

Sanders Gwin has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a principal.

Dan Lund Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (January, 2005)

Dan Lund has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as an associate.

Ryan Kobs Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (January, 2005)

Ryan Kobs has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a technology specialist.

Steve Shumaker Named 2004 Minnesota Superlawyer (June 2004)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Steve Shumaker a Minnesota Superlawyer for 2004 in the field of Intellectual Property.  Steve's designation as a Superlawyer is the result of a survey of more than 12,000 lawyers across the State of Minnesota. About five percent of Minnesota lawyers were named Superlawyers. Superlawyer profiles will appear in the August 2004 issues of Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly.

Summer Associates from University of Minnesota Law School Join Shumaker and Sieffert (June 2004)

Jennifer Rogers and Daniel Lund, students at the University of Minnesota Law School, will join Shumaker & Sieffert as 2004 summer associates.  Mike Ostrom, a technical specialist at the firm and law student at the University of Minnesota, also will participate in the summer associate program. 

Shumaker, Sieffert and Bartingale Named to Who's Who in Minnesota IP (June 2004)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine will include Steve Shumaker, Kent Sieffert and Kari Bartingale in its list of Who's Who in Minnesota IP for 2004. The list includes a number of patent, trademark and copyright attorneys practicing in the State of Minnesota. 

Kari Bartingale Speaks on Patent Protection (September, 2003)

Kari Bartingale recently spoke at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Kari's lecture was entitled "Introduction to Patent Law," and described the procedures and requirements for obtaining U.S. and international patent rights.  Topics included types of patent applications, technical subject matter that may be patented, patentability searches and analysis of prior art, working with patent counsel for preparation of patent specifications and claim drafting, determination of inventorship, prosecuting the application to issuance before the patent office, preservation of foreign rights, the PCT patent application, and national stage foreign applications.

Steve Shumaker & Kent Sieffert Speak on Intellectual Property (September, 2003)

Steve Shumaker & Kent Sieffert recently spoke at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Their lecture was entitled "Introduction to Intellectual Property," and described the various forms of intellectual property and corporate strategies for developing intellectual property portfolios. The lecture also describes the function of various corporate documents and activities relating to intellectual property, including employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-infringement opinions, clearance searches, patentability searches, invalidity opinions, and infringement actions.

Adam Anderson Joins Shumaker & Sieffert (July, 2003)

Adam Anderson has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a technology specialist.

Kent Sieffert Named Minnesota Superlawyer (June, 2003)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Kent Sieffert a Minnesota Superlawyer for 2003 in the field of Intellectual Property.  Kent's designation as a Superlawyer is the result of a survey of more than 12,000 lawyers across the State of Minnesota. About five percent of Minnesota lawyers were named Superlawyers. Superlawyer profiles will appear in the August 2003 issues of Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly.

Shumaker and Sieffert Named to Who's Who in Minnesota IP (June, 2003)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Steve Shumaker and Kent Sieffert to its list of Who's Who in Minnesota IP for 2003 for the second year running. The list includes a number of patent, trademark and copyright attorneys practicing in the State of Minnesota. 

Kari Bartingale Joins Shumaker & Sieffert as Associate (June, 2003)

Kari Bartingale has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as an associate.  Kari's practice focuses on patent prosecution in the electrical and computer arts. Prior to joining Shumaker & Sieffert, Kari was a patent attorney at Merchant & Gould, and at 3M.

Darcy Grunwald Joins Shumaker & Sieffert as a Technology Specialist (June, 2003)

Darcy Grunwald has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as a Technology Specialist.  Darcy has a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and assists the firm’s attorneys in patent prosecution matters.

Shumaker and Sieffert using 3M’s RFID Smart Solutions technology to track physical files - (December 1, 2002)

Shumaker and Sieffert has adopted 3M RFID Smart Solutions, providing them immediate location information on all of the firm’s case folders.

The firm’s paralegals, Shirley Betlach and Samantha Rupert, have found that the system saves time in pulling files for daily docketing, and reduces time spent searching for misplaced files. They have come to depend on the system for providing accurate location information for all of their folders.

“With this technology, we have excellent control and management of our client’s material,” stated Kent Sieffert, “and my staff is able to focus on higher value work than locating file folders.”

Using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, users can easily track the location and movement of folders. Folders can be detected and checked out to locations by simply passing them over the 3M Smart Pad readers placed in key locations in the office. A 3M Smart Handheld reader is used to periodically inventory the location of active files throughout the offices. A simple File Locator application makes it easy to look up the current location, or see past history of locations, for any file folder in the office. For more information see the 3M SmartID website.

Kent Sieffert Named Minnesota Rising Star (October 1, 2002)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Kent Sieffert a Minnesota Rising Star for 2002 in the field of Intellectual Property. Rising Star profiles will appear in the December 2002 issue of Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine.

Steve Shumaker Named Minnesota Superlawyer (July 23, 2002)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Steve Shumaker a Minnesota Superlawyer for 2002 in the field of Intellectual Property.  Steve's designation as a Superlawyer is the result of a survey of more than 12,000 lawyers across the State of Minnesota. About five percent of Minnesota lawyers were named Superlawyers.  Superlawyer profiles will appear in the August 2002 issues of Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly.          

Sieffert and Shumaker Named to Who's Who in Minnesota IP (July 23, 2002)

Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine has named Kent Sieffert and Steve Shumaker to its list of Who's Who in Minnesota IP for 2002. The list includes a number of patent, trademark and copyright attorneys practicing in the State of Minnesota. 

Kent Sieffert Speaks on International IP Protection (July 23, 2002)

Kent Sieffert recently spoke at a CLE offered by All District Legal Education, entitled "Practicing in a Global Economy."  Kent's lecture, "Building an International Intellectual Property Portfolio," covered differences among international intellectual property laws, and strategies for developing a strong portfolio.   

Jason Kelly Joins Shumaker & Sieffert as Associate (Feb. 13, 2002)

Jason D. Kelly has joined the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert as an associate.  Jason holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a J.D., both from the University of Iowa.  Jason will assist Shumaker & Sieffert attorneys in patent protection and infringement counseling matters.  Previously, he was an associate with Fish & Richardson, where he concentrated on patent litigation.  

Shumaker & Sieffert Sponsors NetSuds Event (Jan. 23, 2002)

The law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert will co-sponsor the upcoming Quarterly Gathering of NetSuds at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center on March 5, 2002.  NetSuds is an organization of telecom, IT and Internet networking professionals, including investors, equipment and software vendors, service providers and IT professionals.  Shumaker & Sieffert attorneys will be on hand to answer questions concerning patent protection, patent portfolio development and patent infringement issues in the electronics and software fields.  

Kent Sieffert Speaks on Patent Harmonization (Jan. 23, 2002)

Kent Sieffert of Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. recently spoke to MBA students at the University of St. Thomas concerning harmonization of national patent laws, and the challenges in securing international patent protection.  The Shumaker & Sieffert attorneys are experienced in the pursuit of patent protection in the United States and around the world, and have forged relationships with patent agents in other countries to support the international patent filing strategies of the firm's clients.   

Shumaker & Sieffert Represents the New Economy (Jan. 7, 2002)

In its recent IP Almanac issue for 2001, IP Worldwide listed Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. as one of the intellectual property law firms representing companies involved in the "new economy."  The new economy generally refers to businesses built on Internet and ecommerce technologies.  IP Worldwide identified Shumaker & Sieffert as outside counsel for client Juniper Networks.

Mike Ostrom Joins Firm as Technical Specialist (Jan. 7, 2002)

Mike Ostrom, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin, will join Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. on January 14, 2002 as a Technical Specialist.  Mike has a B.S. in electrical engineering, and will provide technical assistance to the firm's attorneys in patent prosecution and opinion matters.

Shumaker & Sieffert Celebrates One-year Anniversary (Jan. 2, 2002)

Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. celebrates its one-year anniversary on January 2, 2002.  During it first year, the firm has expanded from two to five attorneys, and added two patent prosecution specialists.  In addition, the firm will be adding a technical specialist shortly.  The firm has grown its client base to include almost thirty clients, most of whom operate in the electronics, software and medical device fields.  The firm's anniversary coincides with its move to new office space.

Shumaker & Sieffert Moves to New Office (Dec. 21, 2001)

The firm will be moving to a newly constructed office building on December 26, 2001.  The new office, with over 9000 square feet and twenty offices, will support the firm's future growth.  The address of the new office is 8425 Seasons Parkway, Suite 105, St. Paul, Minnesota 55125.  The firm's telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and email addresses will be unchanged.  See directions.

Kent Sieffert and Steve Shumaker Teach Patent Practice at University of Minnesota Law School (Aug. 25, 2001)

Kent Sieffert and Steve Shumaker will serve as Adjunct Professors at the University of Minnesota Law School during the Fall semester of 2001.  Kent and Steve will design and teach a new Patent Practice course covering patent prosecution rules and strategy for obtaining quality patent protection. 

Fitzgerald Article Featured at law.com (July 12, 2001)

An article entitled "H.R. 1866 and H.R. 1886: Reexamining Patent Reexamination" by Kelly Patrick Fitzgerald was featured in the Intellectual Property Practice Paper section of www.law.com.  The article addressed . . . 

Shumaker to Address Festo at MIPLA Event (April 4, 2001)

Steve Shumaker will join Paul Busse of the 3M Office of Intellectual Property Counsel and Dan Schulte of KaganBinder in addressing the ramifications of the Federal Circuit's Festo decision for patent prosecutors at an April 9 meeting sponsored by the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association..

Business Method Article Featured in E-commerce Law Journal (March 21, 2001)

An article entitled "Business Method Patents: Navigating the Sea of Controversy" by Steve Shumaker was featured as a two-part series in the February and March issues of E-Commerce Law Journal, a publication of Aspen Law & Business. 

Shirley Betlach and Samantha Rupert to Join Shumaker & Sieffert (February 23, 2001)

Shirley Betlach and Samantha Rupert have agreed to join the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. as Patent Specialists.  Shirley provides Shumaker & Sieffert with over fourteen years of experience in the patent field. Previously, Shirley was a member of the legal department at 3M, where she assisted in-house patent counsel with busy prosecution dockets. Samantha brings solid docketing experience to the firm from her previous position as a docketing administrator at the law firm of Kinney & Lange in Minneapolis. Shirley and Samantha will help provide timely, high-quality service to the firm's patent prosecution clients.

Shumaker resumes writing for CorporateIntelligence.com (January 18, 2001)

Steve Shumaker has resumed his role as a correspondent for patent prosecution and matters concerning the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for the intellectual property-focused web site www.corporateintelligence.com.  His latest article, entitled "Post-Festo Patent Bar Prepares for Prosecution Gridlock," concerns the impact of the Federal Circuit's recent Festo decision on patent practice before the PTO, and reviews a number of proposed prosecution tactics for avoiding prosecution history estoppel.

Kelly Fitzgerald to Join Shumaker & Sieffert (January 4, 2001)

Kelly P. Fitzgerald has agreed to join the newly established law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A. as an Associate. Kelly will focus on patent prosecution in the electronics, optics, and software fields.

Shumaker Interviewed by Electronic Business Magazine on the Subject of Business Method Patents (January 4, 2001)

Steven J. Shumaker, a Principal in the law firm of Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A., was interviewed in the January 2001 issue of Electronic Business Magazine. The article, entitled "IP Wakeup Call," concerns the impact of business method patenting on the ecommerce and electronics industries.

New IP Firm Launches in Twin Cities (January 2, 2001)

Steve Shumaker and Kent Sieffert launch a new law firm devoted to the intellectual property needs of high technology companies.