Butzel Long expands Washington, D.C. footprint with addition of four IP attorneys
Four attorneys formerly with Washington, D.C. IP firm Morris & Kamlay complement Butzel Long’s expanding full-service IP practice
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Butzel Long, a leading Detroit-based law firm announced today that it has expanded its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice Group with a core group of four attorneys with strong science, technology and engineering backgrounds
in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, according to Butzel Long President and CEO Justin G. Klimko.
The group is led by Aaron S. Kamlay (Shareholder), former head of the Washington, D.C.- area IP firm Morris & Kamlay, which specialized in intellectual property law matters related to strategic patent acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions, startup support, portfolio development and patent risk analysis. Joining Kamlay at Butzel Long are Ian S. Harrison (Of Counsel), Kevin T. Roddy (Of Counsel) and Donald “Jay” Lecher (Of Counsel).
“Intellectual property law issues reach into many areas of business,” said Klimko. “From patent prosecution to counseling and enforcement, the combined experience and caliber of attorneys from Morris & Kamlay complement our Intellectual Property Law Practice Group’s capability to meet current and future client challenges.”
“The addition of this top-level talent in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office enhances Butzel Long’s strong IP capabilities, which include a focus on complex and high-stakes patent development and litigation and IP disputes before federal district and appellate courts across the country” said Claudia Rast, Practice Department Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology Group.
Butzel Long’s expansion of its Washington, D.C. office is in line with the firm’s strategic vision and its commitment to acquire highly-qualified legal talent to service over 3,000 geographically diverse clients in national and international markets.
Aaron S. Kamlay
Aaron Kamlay has been practicing intellectual property law for more than 15 years and has represented clients of all sizes across a wide range of technologies, including numerous successful startups and multiple Fortune 100 companies. He specializes in complex patent prosecution and portfolio management, acquisitions and divestitures of IP, and portfolio creation, with a focus on building business value through strategic IP development.
Prior to joining Butzel Long, Kamlay founded Morris & Kamlay with Gary Morris and worked at the IP specialty firms of Kenyon & Kenyon and Townsend and Townsend and Crew.
With a degree in physics and prior industry experience in programming, large dataset analysis, computer networking, and communications, Kamlay has obtained valuable patents for his clients in numerous fields, including artificial intelligence, high-availability databases, OLED devices, consumer electronics, optics, medical devices, robotics, and others.
He also advises clients in preparing patent portfolios for sales or acquisitions and in evaluating portfolios for mergers and acquisitions. He has advised on deals totaling over $10 billion. In 2011, he co-founded Morris & Kamlay LLP, which specialized in strategic portfolio design, patent acquisition, licensing, and patent analysis.
Kamlay holds a JD from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Physics from the University of Evansville.
In 2012, he was named a Rising Star by Superlawyers Magazine. Morris & Kamlay LLP was named IP M&A Law Firm of the year 2019 and Best in Complex IP Prosecutions 2019 by US Business News Legal Elite Awards; Best Complex IP Prosecution Specialists 2020; and Recognized Leaders in Patent Valuation 2020 by US Business News Legal Elite Awards.
Ian S. Harrison
Ian Harrison has been practicing IP law for more than 13 years. He has worked with a wide variety of companies, from startups to members of the Fortune 100. He specializes in patent portfolio creation, complex prosecution, portfolio evaluation for transactions, and IP infringement, validity, and freedom-to-operate analysis.
Prior to joining Butzel Long, Harrison worked in IP at the Washington, D.C. offices of two AMLAW 100 firms. He has technical expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence, terrestrial wireless communications, satellite-based telecommunications, database management systems, electronic components, blockchain and consensus protocols, operating systems, home automation, mobile devices, and ultrasonic devices.
Harrison earned a (J.D.) from the University of Virginia and Haverford College (B.S., Computer Science).
Kevin T. Roddy
Kevin Roddy has more than 15 years of experience in patent law and has advised a wide range of clients in developing patent portfolios for a variety of technologies and industries. He also has experience in IP due diligence, especially with merger and acquisition transactions.
He specializes in patent prosecution with imaging and display systems, image recognition and machine vision, robotics, electro-optics, electronics, digital audio and multi-media systems, software, artificial intelligence and machine learning, medical devices, networked devices, and communications technologies. He has previously worked at multi-national law firms and corporations, as well as large and small specialty IP firms. Roddy has a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering with experience as an engineer developing digital imaging systems for the entertainment and motion picture industries.
Roddy graduated from Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.), the University at Buffalo (B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering), and SUNY Potsdam (B.A., English Literature).
Donald “Jay” Lecher
Donald J. "Jay" Lecher is Of Counsel practicing in Butzel Long's Washington D.C. office. He has more than 20 years’ experience counseling clients in preparing and prosecuting U.S., PCT and foreign patent applications. His proficiencies include mechanical, electrical, software and business method patent preparation and prosecution, IP infringement and validity studies, licensing, IP litigation support, trademark prosecution, and IP portfolio management.
Lecher was a U.S. Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office after law school and built his legal experience thereafter in boutique IP and large general practice firms. His expertise lies in development strategy and management of client patent portfolios. Before attending law school, he was an Advanced Development Engineer in engine management control systems for General Motors Delphi division, Flint, Mich.
He is a registered attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His Bar admissions include the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Lecher graduated from Regent University School of Law (J.D.) and GMI Engineering & Management Institute (B.S.M.E., Automotive Engineering).
