James helps innovative companies increase the value of their most important assets.
Overview
James advises companies on how to protect and commercialize their intellectual property rights and avoid infringing the rights of others. He is committed to understanding his clients’ businesses, products, and services, partnering with them to develop effective intellectual property protection and monetization strategies. Drawing on his 19 years at Stinson, he also connects clients with trusted colleagues across various practice areas to meet their broader legal needs.
James’s IP counsel includes patent and trademark prosecution and clearance, copyright advice, and negotiation of intellectual property and technology related agreements. He partners with the firm’s intellectual property litigation team to aggressively enforce and defend his client’s intellectual property rights. James also manages intellectual property aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
Experience
Manages the international patent portfolios of multinational corporations in the consumer product and cannabis industries.
Manages trademark portfolios for major brand owners in fields including consumer products, hardscape products, financial services, healthcare services, laboratory equipment, and metal processing and fabrication.
Frequently negotiates intellectual property and technology agreements and provisions for many of the firm’s clients, including joint development, software development and license agreements.
Defending client in patent infringement litigation relating to LED lighting products.
Enforced structural foundation related patents in litigation resulting in favorable settlement for client.
Assisted start-up companies with their patent filing and licensing strategies for new consumer products, building designs, and exercise machines.
Prepares and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications for technologies including electrical enclosures, railcar equipment, agricultural machinery, bulk material transport and loading equipment, laboratory equipment, surgical tools, sporting goods, art supplies, toys, paper products, and vape devices.
Volunteers for pro bono cases from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Pro Bono Program and Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts. While at the University of Kansas, James led a team that designed and manufactured a formula style race car suspension for the 2003 Jayhawk Motorsports Formula SAE Team.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
IP Panelist at Innovation, Law & Entrepreneurship Symposium, CLE at KCMBA, June 2015
"Intellectual Property Law Updates," CLE at KU Law, May 2015
James also presents on intellectual property topics to clients and in forums such as the firm's annual Business Law Update.
Publications
"Developing and Implementing a Cost-Effective Patent Strategy," Developing a Patent Strategy, Aspatore 2015
In addition to writing E-alerts for the firm's website, James updates the following publications:
- Intellectual Property Chapter of West's Missouri Methods of Practice – Transaction Guide
- Kansas Chapter of INTA's State Trademark and Unfair Competition Law
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
ArtsTech
- Board Member, 2012 - 2024
- President, 2016 - 2020
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
The Missouri Bar
The Kansas Bar
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 2006
- Kansas, 2007
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2007
Education
St. Louis University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2006
- St. Louis University Law Journal, Editor
- Order of the Woolsack
University of Kansas, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, with honors and distinction, 2003
