Novak Druce + Quigg LLP Adds Partner Michael W. O'Neill

WASHINGTON (January 4, 2012) - National intellectual property super boutique Novak Druce + Quigg LLP has announced the addition of partner Michael W. O’Neill to its Washington D.C. office. Mr. O’Neill is joining Novak Druce from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) where he most recently served as an Administrative Patent Judge for the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mike to Novak Druce,” said Novak Druce CEO and Managing Partner Gregory V. Novak. “His extensive USPTO experience as a Patent Judge and in the Central Reexamination Unit will be a great advantage to our firm and our Post-Grant/Reexamination Practice Group.”

Before becoming an Administrative Patent Judge, Mr. O’Neill also served as a Reexamination Primary Patent Examiner for the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) and a Primary Patent Examiner, Electrical Engineer.  As a Patent Judge, Mr. O’Neill authored over 300 reported opinions and developed a strong background in ex parte appeals involving mechanical, electrical and business method technologies. As a Reexamination Examiner, Mr. O’Neill performed the patent examining functions for both ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings in various complex and simple technologies and developed the examination procedures utilized by CRU at that time. As a Primary Patent Examiner, Mr. O’Neill’s legal and technological expertise involved the rapidly expanding and highly litigious area of casino gaming and video game technologies. At the USPTO, Mr. O’Neill received recognition for exceptional performance and productivity, including the Bronze Medal Award.

Mr. O’Neill received his J.D. from the Catholic University of America and his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

About Novak Druce + Quigg LLP

Novak Druce + Quigg LLP is a national law firm focused exclusively on complex intellectual property matters. With a renowned patent reexamination practice and more than 80 attorneys and professionals in offices in Houston, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Washington DC, and West Palm Beach, Novak Druce attorneys help our clients navigate the complexities of U.S. intellectual property law by securing, enforcing, and defending their intellectual property rights. Novak Druce is one of twenty firms listed in the 2011 National Law Journal’s ‘Midsize Hot List’ and the #1 firm in the WORLDleaders International IP Awards - North America / Canada Patent Excellence (2009, 2008 and 2007).  The Novak Druce Centre for Professional Service Firms at Oxford University launched in October 2009.  For additional information, please visit www.novakdruce.com.