Dennis J. Helms

Dennis specializes in matters related to the protection and licensing of intellectual property, specifically trademark and copyright matters, author and publisher agreements, and employment agreements. He also handles the formation and operation of closely held businesses, including nonprofits.

An active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) since 1990, he is the former chair of INTA's Trade Dress Image Library Subcommittee of the Information Resources Committee. An experienced practitioner, his diverse background includes three years at a Wall Street law firm, three years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, five years in state government as special assistant to two New Jersey governors, and two attorney generals in New Jersey. In this latter capacity, he served on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the National Institutes of Health for Recombinant DNA Molecules, working closely with regulators and scientists to determine the appropriate role for government in regulating recombinant DNA research.

Mr. Helms has published articles and presented lectures on "Valuing and Protecting Intellectual Property" along with pieces on fair use in copyright and the filing of architectural designs in copyright. He has also been active in the John J. Lifland Inn of Court for more than ten years.