Warner Norcross Adds Two Experienced IP Attorneys

Online, May 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The law firm of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP has added two experienced intellectual property attorneys.

Catherine S. Collins will join the firm as a partner and Matthew L. Goska will join as senior counsel, both in the Grand Rapids office. Both are registered patent attorneys with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, and both join the Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group at Warner Norcross from the boutique IP firm VanDyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP in Grand Rapids.

"We are incredibly pleased to welcome Catherine and Matt," said Douglas E. Wagner, managing partner. "They both have strong skills, excellent backgrounds and broad experience in the intellectual property area. They will be able to make immediate contributions to our Technology and Intellectual Property practice."

A former patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Collins brings more than 18 years of counseling, procuring and protecting intellectual property rights in the United States and abroad to her new role with Warner Norcross. She has extensive experience in litigation support and procurement of mechanical, electromechanical, medical devices, medical equipment, semi-conductor manufacturing equipment, clean technology, business method and software patents, in addition to trademarks. Collins also has extensive experience in intellectual property due diligence reviews for mergers and acquisitions.

Collins also spent eight years working as an engineer and supervisor in the nuclear engineering and construction industries. In this role, she focused on power plant piping and seismic evaluations, gaining hands-on experience in these growing areas.

Collins is a member of the American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. She has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and as one of West Michigan's top lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine. Further, she served as a council member and is a past chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

She holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a doctor of jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She also studied electrical engineering at the University of Texas in Arlington.

A native of London, England, Collins now resides in Grand Rapids Township with her husband, Jim.

Goska concentrates his practice on U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, patent evaluation and portfolio management. He regularly works with Fortune 500 companies on complex intellectual property issues, from magnetic resonance imaging to border gateway protocols. His experience focuses on software, business method, electronics, mechanical and electromechanical patents for the avionics, material handling, semiconductors, medical equipment and other industries.

Goska is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Goska holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Northwestern University and a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Wisconsin.

A native of Green Bay, Wisc., he now resides in Cascade Township with his wife, Janel.

About Warner Norcross & Judd

Warner Norcross & Judd is a corporate law firm with more than 220 attorneys practicing in six offices throughout Michigan: Grand Rapids, Holland, Lansing, Muskegon, Southfield and Sterling Heights. By providing sound legal advice and alternative fee arrangements, Warner Norcross & Judd forges a better partnership with its clients. To learn more visit wnj.com or follow us on Twitter, @WNJLLP.