Michael G. Kelber

Michael, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group, provides strategic counsel to established enterprises and entrepreneurs concerning the development and protection of extensive global intellectual property portfolios. He represents clients from a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, restaurants, retail housewares, beverage manufacturing, software, entertainment and a variety of technology-focused industries.

Michael has served as lead counsel in trials before state and federal courts throughout the country, and he represents clients in all phases of complex copyright, trademark and patent disputes. Michael also develops proactive risk management strategies that enable brand portfolios to successfully launch and evolve, avoid costly litigation, and overcome intellectual property attacks with a pre-designed litigation strategy.

Michael has 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.

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 has given 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 has been recognized as a leader in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (recommended in Intellectual Property) from 2017-2020 and (recommended in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets) since 2021. Since 2019, Michael has been recognized by The Legal 500 United States in Trademark Litigation and a World Trademark Review Global Leader. He has also been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer as well as by The Best Lawyers in America since 2016. Michael has also been has also been selected for inclusion in the World Trademark Review 1000 for “Trademark Enforcement and Litigation” and “Trademark Prosecution and Strategy” since 2014.