As noted, Michael is widely recognized as one of the top patent attorneys in the U.S. He has counseled some of the world’s most innovative technology companies in protecting their IP, guiding and assisting them in the development and management of their patent portfolios in the U.S. and abroad.

Previously, he was the founding Partner and Practice Group Leader of the patent group at a large, national firm. He served as the top outside counsel at companies including Qualcomm, Micron, and Salesforce, among many others. Over his years at the firm, he grew the work he managed from $2M to $30M+ annually.

Among his many accolades, Michael was named the U.S. National Practitioner of the Year for Patent Prosecution for 2022 by Managing IP, and was a finalist in 2021 and 2023 as well. The team he led garnered his firm the IAM National Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year in 2023. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Bloomberg Law/AIPLA book “Patents and Standards: Practice, Policy, and Enforcement” and served on the Board of Directors at the American Intellectual Property Law Association from 2019-22.

But Michael is not only a top patent attorney – he was also the CEO and co-founder of Paximal, a start-up technology company focused on patents and AI. In this role, he oversaw and was responsible for the strategic, financial, and operational leadership of the company. Under his leadership, Paximal leveraged the latest AI technologies to generate patent applications, and empower clients to develop far more valuable IP portfolios at lower costs.

Recognition

• US National Practitioner of the Year, Managing Intellectual Property, 2022. Also, named a finalist in 2021 and 2023.
• Distinguished Service Medal, Selected by Federal Circuit Judge Richard Linn and the Linn Inn Alliance, 2013
• IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, Highly Recommended, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• IAM Global Leaders, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Colorado Super Lawyers®, Intellectual Property,2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• 5280 Magazine Top Lawyers, Intellectual Property: Patent,2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• The Best Lawyers in America© Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Patent – Boulder, 2022
• The Best Lawyers in America© Lawyer of the Year, Patent Law – Boulder, 2020, 2023
• The Best Lawyers in America©Patent Law, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023; Litigation Patent, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Chambers USA Intellectual Property, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Lexology/International Law Office “ILO” Client Choice Award,ntellectual Property: Patents, Colorado, 2013
• Law Week Colorado, Colorado Lawyer of the Year, 2012
• Silicon Flatirons IP Supporter of the Year, 2011
• Denver Business Journal, Forty Under 40, 2007

Team Recognition (Practice Group Leader & Founding Partner):

• Managing IP Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year (West) 2023
• IAM US Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year 2023

Speaking Engagements

“The Evolving Landscape of Generative AI in the Patent Field,” IPO Corporate IP Management and Operations Committee, March 2024

“Patents v. Trade Secrets: Tech v. Life Sciences,” Rocky Mountain IP & Technology Law Institute, June 2023

“Storytellers,” Colorado IP Inn of Court, Panel, April 2023

“IP A-wear-ness: IP and Data Issues for Wearable Devices and Environments,” AIPLA Mid-Winter Meeting, San Diego, CA, January 2023

“Best Practices for Patent Quality,” Patent Bots Webinar, June 2021

“Working with Foreign Counsel to Develop IP Portfolios,” Rocky Mountain IP & Technology Institute, Denver, CO, July 2020

“Automation Webinar – Innovation and Technology in IP: Patent Drafting Automation,” Black Hills IP, February 2020

“The Next Generation of Patent Operations,” AIPLA Electronic and Computer Patent Law Summit, Minneapolis, MN, June 2019

“SPE Panel Trends and Examination,” 14th Annual Rocky Mountain IP & Technology Institute, June 2016

“Moving Prosecution Forward: Proper Use of Appeals and Pre-Appeal Conferences,” Rocky Mountain IP Collective CLE, Panelist, Denver, CO, June 2014

“PTO Examiner Interviews: Strategies and Best Practices for Getting the Most out of Patent Interview Practice at the PTO,” Rocky Mountain IP & Technology Institute, Denver, CO, May 2013

“The Institutional Roles of the PTO, the Federal Government, and the Judiciary in Shaping Patent Law,” Silicon Flatirons Conference: The Intersection of Patent Law and Competition Policy, Boulder, CO, October 2012

“First Inventor to File—an In-house Perspective,” AIPLA Electronics and Computer Patent Law Summit, Moderator, San Diego, CA, April 2012

“State of Appeals at the PTO,” AIPLA Mid-Winter Meeting, Panelist, Las Vegas, NV, January 2012

“Inequitable Conduct in Light of Therasense,” AIPLA Electronics and Computer Patent Law Summit, Minneapolis, MN, August 2011

“The Interplay of Patents and Standards,” Colorado IP Section Event, CableLabs, Louisville, CO, November 2009

“Emerging Trends and Strategies in Reexamination,” Colorado IP Section Event, Denver, CO, September 2009

“IP Protection for Emerging Technology Companies,” Colorado IP Section Event, CableLabs, Louisville, CO, January 2009

Publications

“The State of AI Adoption in the Patent Field,” Law 360, Co-Author, 2024

“Patents and Standards: Practice, Policy, and Enforcement,” Bloomberg Law Treatise, Editor-in-Chief and Author, 2019

“The Next Generation of Patent Operations,” Bloomberg Law, 2019

“Trade Secrets,” The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Business Organizations, 2010-2017

“Tailoring Patent Strategies for Specific Clients to Maximize Value,” Developing a Patent Strategy, Book Chapter, 2013

“Keeping it Secret in Colorado,” The Colorado Lawyer, 2010

“Colorado Bar IP Section Newsletter,” Editor, 2007-2008

Leadership: Professional and Civic

American Intellectual Property Law Association:

• Board of Directors, 2019-2022
• AIPLA Fellow 2023-present
• 101 Task Force 2023-present
• Committee on Nominations, 2018
• Professional Programs Committee:
  1. Chair, 2015-2017
  2. Vice Chair, 2013-2015

Linn Inn Alliance:

• Advisory Council 2018-2023

Intellectual Property Section, Colorado Bar Association:

• Chair, 2009-2010
• Vice-Chair, 2008-2009
• IP Section Newsletter, Editor, 2007-2008
• Advisory Board, 2010-2012
• Spearheaded successful IP Section Initiative to bring a branch of the Patent Office to Colorado.  Regularly met with Colorado Congressional delegation and senior Governor’s Office and Denver Mayor’s Office personnel to create coalition, and traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with USPTO Director Kappos, White House officials, and Congressional leaders

Silicon Flatirons Law and Technology Center:

• Silicon Flatirons Board, 2009-2020
• IP/IT Advisory Board

University of Colorado School of Law:

• MSL Advisory Board

Federal Circuit/Colorado 2012 Coalition, Lead.

University of Denver School of Engineering and Computer Science:

• Industry Advisory Board, 2005-2010

Colorado IP Inn of Court:

• Founder’s Committee & Executive Committee

Colorado Bar Association:

• Board of Governors, 2010-2011

Parlando School of the Arts:

• Board of Trustees

Leadership: Educational

American Intellectual Property Law Association. Annual Meeting:

• Planning Committee Chair, 2016, 2017
• Planning Committee Vice-Chair, 2014, 2015
• Topic Subcommittee Chair, 2013
• Plenary Session Coordinator, 2012

Spring Meeting:

• Planning Committee Chair, 2016, 2017
• Planning Committee Vice-Chair, 2014, 2015

Electronics and Computer Patent Law Summit:

• Silicon Valley, Chair, 2013
• San Diego, Chair, 2012
• Minneapolis, Chair, 2011
• Denver, Planning Committee, 2010

University of Colorado School of Law:

• Adjunct Professor, 2010-2016
• Classes: IP Counseling, Patent Drafting and Prosecution

• University of California, Davis, J.D.
• University of Colorado, Boulder, College of Engineering, M.S. Telecommunications (Focus: Wireless/Electronics))
• Licensed to practice at the USPTO

Recognition

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Intellectual Property Law, 2021-2026; Patent Law, 2021–2026
• Managing Intellectual Property, IP Star (Notable Practitioner), 2021; Rising Star, 2022–2024
• IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners, Prosecution – Recommended, 2022, 2023

Publications

Heightened Risk and Higher Fees: Prepare for the New Age of Continuing Application Practice; June 24, 2024; IPWatchdog

Encouragement and Caution: USPTO’s Guidance on AI-Assisted Patent Drafting; May 1, 2024; The Global Legal Post

As noted, Nathan has counseled some of the world’s most innovative companies in harvesting and maximizing the value of their IP.  He has worked with a wide range of companies, from startups to the largest technology leaders. He assists them in the creation and management of their patent portfolios, and has significant expertise in both U.S. and foreign patent practice. He works across many industries, with significant expertise in software, AI, electronics, wearables, medical devices and wireless, building deep and enduring relationships with his clients.

Previously, he was a Partner in the patent group at a large, national firm. He served as the top outside counsel at companies like Salesforce, Oura, Rubrik, and Coinbase, among many others. Nathan has pioneered the creation of automation systems tools that enhance efficiency across all aspects of legal services. His innovative approach to leveraging technology in patent practice has revolutionized how legal work is delivered, making complex processes faster and more cost-effective while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Previously, Nathan designed and tested hardware and software systems for an international aerospace and defense company. His engineering experience included designing, modeling, and fabricating aircraft and missile components. This technical background, combined with his expertise in legal automation, enables him to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and strategic patent protection.

• University of Colorado Law School, J.D.
• University of Central Florida
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering
• Licensed to Practice at the USPTO