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Armstrong Teasdale Names Three New Partners, Elects Four Equity Partners

January 2, 2018 Press Releases

Armstrong Teasdale, a law firm with offices across the United States, proudly announces Zachary C. Howenstine, Michael J. Vander Molen and Adam R. Wuller have been elected partners by the Executive Committee. In addition, the equity partners of the firm have elected Erin M. Florek, Matt Kitzi, Donna Frazier Schmitt and Martin C. Walsh, Jr. as equity partners. All of the aforementioned changes are effective Jan. 1, 2018.

“Our new partners and equity partners are extremely talented and handle a wide range of complex matters for their clients,” said John Beulick, managing partner at Armstrong Teasdale. “The depth of experience they possess in their respective areas is particularly impressive, and we look forward to sharing in their continued success.”

Howenstine, a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group, focuses on complex intellectual property matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the United States. His practice encompasses many areas of complex civil litigation including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, antitrust issues, and contract matters involving technologies in the mechanical, electrical and chemical arts. Howenstine also defends individuals and companies in civil actions and proceedings instituted by the U.S. government, including False Claims Act litigation and investigatory and enforcement actions involving the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Vander Molen is a registered U.S. patent attorney counseling clients through the various stages of product design and development. For organizations ranging from start-up companies to Fortune 500 companies, he prepares and prosecutes U.S. and international patent applications, and ensures that patents are not vulnerable to competitors’ challenges. He concentrates on a broad range of technologies with a focus on mechanical, chemical engineering and materials science matters. Working closely with inventors, in-house counsel, and patent examiners, Vander Molen counsels through the various phases of product design and development to ensure suitable patent protection and strategic consistency. He also provides freedom-to-operate guidance and opinions to clients to maximize market potential of their commercial goods.

Wuller, a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group, is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His main focus is on the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications in a wide range of technical disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and medical devices. Wuller has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications directed to medical imaging devices (e.g., CT and MRI imaging systems), security scanners, implantable neurostimulation systems, optical systems, medical instruments (e.g., syringes, catheters, etc.) and radioisotope elution systems. He also prepares noninfringement and invalidity opinions, and patentability, due diligence and patent landscape analyses for in-house counsel and inventors.

Florek is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group and assists medical device, chemical, and life sciences companies in applying for and protecting U.S. and international patents. With an emphasis in medical device and chemical-related technology, she counsels clients on freedom-to-operate, patent infringement, patentability and due diligence issues. She regularly prepares noninfringement and invalidity opinions, and assists in litigation analysis and Inter Partes Review Proceedings. Florek’s experience involves a variety of subject matters, such as medical devices and related manufacturing processes for cardiology and vascular access products, pesticide formulations, small molecule design, chemical synthesis and related processes, device coatings, pharmaceuticals, enzyme catalysts, microencapsulation, polymeric materials, heat transfer, electrochemical cells and hydrogen generation cells.

Kitzi, a member of the firm’s Corporate Services practice group, is a trusted advisor to his clients in the areas of securities regulation, corporate formation and business planning strategies, raising capital, financial services and government affairs. His public service experience, highlighted by his seven-year tenure as Missouri Commissioner of Securities, gives him the ability to offer practical, insightful counsel to clients ranging from the largest financial services firms to entrepreneurs at new and emerging startup companies. Kitzi also serves as the director of regulatory affairs for Armstrong Teasdale subsidiary, AT Government Strategies.

Schmitt is a member of the Intellectual Property practice group and leader of the Trademark Services practice area. She strategically manages global trademark portfolios for businesses in a variety of industries and handles domestic and foreign trademark prosecution and for guidance on trademark selection, use, registration, policing, protection, infringement and enforcement. Schmitt also advises on trade dress and copyright matters as well as brand expansion through trademark licensing. In addition, she counsels on domain name registration and use of trademarks and copyrights in social media, and works to identify trends and new tools to enforce intellectual property rights, including efforts to curb the sale and distribution of counterfeit and knockoff products from electronics to personal care items.

Walsh is a member of the firm’s Corporate Services practice group and concentrates his practice on advising clients on a broad range of transactions throughout the U.S. and internationally. He counsels buyers and sellers through complex mergers and acquisitions and his strategic advice is often requested regarding the acquisition of technology-related companies. Walsh is a founding member of the firm’s Tech Law practice area and advises clients on negotiating and structuring technology transactions such as software as a service (SaaS), enterprise-wide technologies, licensing agreements and consulting services. His background provides a solid foundation to advise entrepreneurs and emerging companies regarding financing, strategies for growth, corporate governance and operations and exit strategies. Walsh also regularly serves as outside general counsel, working directly with ownership, boards and senior management.

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