People

Each team member has a thorough understanding of the client’s industry, and of the client’s place within the industry.

Professional Profiles

• Brian E. Ainsworth
• Rebecca A. Becker
• Terry S. Callaghan
• Brian R. Cheslek
• Carl S. Clark
• Peter A. Cummings
• Matthew J. Gipson
• Daniel L. Girdwood
• Kevin T. Grzelak
• Jeffrey S. Kapteyn
• Gregory A. Lewis
• Hal Reick
• Kathrin Richards
• Frank M. Scutch
• Steven L. Underwood
• Todd A. Van Thomme
• Aaron J. Wong
• Kevin K. Xu

Brian E. Ainsworth

Brian Ainsworth is a partner of the firm. His practice focuses on mechanical and electromechanical inventions; including obtaining patent protection for furniture components and systems, wheel assembly technology, and heavy duty trucking suspension technology. His experience also includes technologies covering photonics, fiber optic designs and systems, automotive components, and building construction components.

Mr. Ainsworth also counsels clients regarding effectively managing their intellectual property assets; including strategically planning where best to hold their assets, domestically and internationally. Mr. Ainsworth has extensive experience with procurement of international trademarks.

Prior to joining the firm in 1998, Mr. Ainsworth worked as an engineer for Contech Inc., formerly a division of the SPX Corporation, where he gained experience as a production engineer for die casting components. Mr. Ainsworth serves on a sub-committee, welcoming new members, for the Association of Intellectual Property Firms (AIPF). The AIPF is an international association of law firms that devote a majority of their practice to intellectual property law. He also currently serves on the firm’s reciprocity committee.

Practice Areas

• Patents
• ­Trademarks
• ­Trade Dress and Unfair Competition
• ­Intellectual Property Licensing Agreements
• ­International Law

Education

• Wayne State University, J.D., 1998
• Michigan State University, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1994
• ­Michigan State University, B.S., Engineering Business Management, 1994

Bar Admissions

• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 2000
• ­Michigan State Bar, 1998

Representative Patent Matters

• USD654712 (Chair)
• US8113607 (Storage assembly)
• ­US8104850 (Furniture storage unit)
• ­US8051545 (Landing gear and method of assembly)
• ­US8046957 (Stack-on panel assembly)
• ­USD648660 (Pintle hook)
• ­US7954833 (Trailing beam assembly)
• ­USD634251 (Wheel or wheel cover)

Memberships & Associations

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• ­State Bar of Michigan
• ­American Intellectual Property Law Association
• ­Association of Intellectual Property Firms (AIPF)

Community Activities

• EGRAHA hockey coach for 7 and 8 year olds