Michael G. Kelber co-chairs the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group. As an intellectual property generalist, he provides strategic counsel to established enterprises and entrepreneurs concerning the development and protection of extensive global intellectual property portfolios spanning diverse industries, including consumer electronics, restaurants, retail housewares, beverage manufacturing, software, entertainment and a variety of technology-focused industries.
Michael represents clients in all phases of complex copyright, trademark and patent disputes, including hearings and appeals before administrative agencies, prosecuting and defending temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, arguing dispositive motions, and serving as lead counsel in trials before state and federal courts throughout the country. He also develops proactive risk management strategies that enable brand portfolios to successfully launch and evolve, avoid costly litigation, and when necessary, overcome intellectual property attacks with a pre-designed litigation strategy.
In addition to his litigation and risk management practices, Michael has also prepared and prosecuted thousands of successful U.S. and foreign patent and trademark applications covering numerous brands, products and designs. He frequently negotiates and prepares critical agreements connected to his clients’ portfolios, including patent, trademark and software development licenses, information technology and development agreements, music and book publishing agreements, and film production and distribution agreements.
Michael has been recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business since 2017, in The Best Lawyers of America since 2016, in the World Trademark Review since 2014, and in Illinois Super Lawyers since 2016.
Before his legal career, Michael worked for a large communications company for six years managing all of its Midwest and Northwest internal office telecommunications needs. This practical business experience gave him valuable insight into how concise communication, risk assessment and pooling resources are critical to enabling clients to make sound business and legal decisions. Michael now leverages every resource available – experienced attorneys within the firm, skilled local counsel, team decision tree development and many more – to ensure his clients’ brand footprints extend all over the world.