Smith, Gambrell & Russell and IP Attorneys, Thomas Wiseman and Michael Riesen, Recognized by USPTO with 2018 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificates

Press Release

April 23, 2019

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ATLANTA (April 23, 2019) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with a 2018 Patent Pro Bono Law Firm and Corporate Achievement Certificate. Additionally, two of SGR’s Intellectual Property (IP) attorneys, Thomas Wiseman and Michael Riesen, have been individually recognized with 2018 Patent Pro Bono Achievement Certificates. The Achievement Certificates are presented in recognition of individuals who reported 50 or more hours of patent pro bono service to a regional patent pro bono program. The goal of the Patent Pro Bono Program is to match volunteer patent professionals with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses for the purpose of securing patent protection.

Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Riesen were among 83 volunteer patent practitioners recognized for individual pro bono achievement in 2018. The USPTO expanded its recognition to include law firms and corporations in addition to individual patent practitioners in 2018, and those whose registered practitioners cumulatively contributed a minimum number of hours (based on firm size) to one or more participating regional patent pro bono programs received the Law Firm and Corporate Achievement Certificate. SGR was one of 21 law firms recognized in 2018.

Mr. Wiseman is Counsel in SGR’s Washington, D.C. IP Practice. His practice is primarily devoted to client counseling and patent prosecution, including interferences and reexaminations, in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical arts.

Mr. Riesen is a Partner in the firm’s Atlanta IP Practice. He focuses his practice on intellectual property portfolio management and diligence, domestic and international patent prosecution, agreements, patent litigation, trademark prosecution, copyright, and open source issues.

The continued efforts of patent practitioners across the country have strengthened the success of the Patent Pro Bono Program since 2015. To date, more than 2,000 patent professionals have volunteered their availability, time, and resources to help make the Patent Pro Bono Program a success.

About the USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program
The Patent Pro Bono Program is a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that match volunteer patent professionals with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses for the purpose of securing patent protection. Each regional program provides services for residents of one or more states. For more information on participating or volunteering for the program, visit the Patent Pro Bono section of the USPTO website.

About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
SGR is a full service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The firm’s 250 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, construction, employment law, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Munich, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.