PROFILES

Russ Weinzimmer

Russ Weinzimmer has twenty years of experience in patent law, which includes seven years of experience doing complex patent preparation and prosecution in demanding law firm environments, seven years as management in a leading corporate environment, and over six years in private law practice. Corporate and entrepreneurial experience prior to his career in law enables him to better understand the needs and objectives of his clients. Russ Weinzimmer presently advises a variety of start-up ventures.

At Cognex Corporation, as Chief Patent Counsel, Russ Weinzimmer was the first full-time in-house attorney at the company. Cognex is a global public company in the machine vision industry with more than $150 million annual revenue. Cognex Corporation won its law suit against Jerome Lemelson's limited partnership, and invalidated his machine vision patents that were used to extract millions in license fees from larger companies such as Ford and Motorola. Cognex was founded by three MIT graduates. Russ grew the patent portfolio from two issued patents with two patents pending, to over 115 issued patents with 133 patents pending, within seven years. Russ worked closely with engineers to strategically identify patentable technology. He personally prepared and filed eight new patent applications per year , working directly with world-class company founders/inventors.

Prior to joining Cognex Corporation, Russ Weinzimmer was primarily involved in the preparation and prosecution of highly technical patent applications in a law firm environment full-time, while he attended law school in the evening. In particular, he prepared and prosecuted patent applications relating to computer software, and computer hardware, communications, medical devices, speech recognition algorithms, semiconductor devices, signal processing, database algorithms, advanced computer systems, high-temperature superconductors, image processing, high-speed modem algorithms, medical imaging and analysis, optical devices, and computer disk storage devices. He also rendered patent infringement and patent validity opinions.

Prior to entering patent law, Russ Weinzimmer was a co-founder of a software start-up, and was involved in various aspects of technology marketing in a corporate environment. He brings the perspectives gained through these business experiences to his practice of Strategic Patent Law^sm.

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Joseph Aufiero

Joseph Aufiero graduated from Cooper Union with a B.S. in Engineering, where he studied a wide array of disciplines. He is knowledgeable in applied mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, organic chemistry, signal processing, electronics, control theory, and engineering design, and he is conversant in numerous other technical fields. Having worked closely with medical doctors in both research and clinical settings, Joe is particularly well-suited to deal with inventions relating to the health sciences and medical technology.

Joe received his J.D. from Yeshiva University, where he studied Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law, and also served as an Associate Editor of the Cardozo Law Review. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office, and is a member of the New York State Bar. As an Eagle Scout and a NYC Paramedic, Joe has shown a dedication to helping others in various critical situations. He brings this background and experience when working with our clients to prepare patent documents and advise on patent strategy.

F. Chad Copier

F. Chad Copier has over ten years of experience in patent law. Chad began his career as a Patent Examiner with the USPTO, examining a wide range of mechanical arts while attending George Mason School of Law. During law school, Chad was an Articles Editor for the George Mason Law Review, and also served as an extern with Judge Rader on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Chad also worked as an Associate Attorney at Finnegan Henderson, working on complex patent litigation, and preparing and prosecuting patent applications before joining Russ Weinzimmer and Associates PC.

Chad has experience in a wide range of technical areas, including general mechanical, engines, medical devices, semiconductors, software, electro-mechanical, and others. Chad has also represented a wide range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to individual inventors. Chad brings his experience in complex litigation, patent examination, patent appeals, patent preparation and prosecution, and opinions of counsel, to comprehensively serve our clients' intellectual property needs.

Patrick Caldwell

Patrick Caldwell earned a BS in Chemistry in 1992 from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He then served in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer for five years, where he developed system-level engineering expertise in managing large-system repairs, as well as gaining a detailed understanding of the complex systems that run our nation’s ships and hovercraft.

Patrick earned an MA in Economics, and was registered to practice before the USPTO, both in 1999. He then completed his JD (Summa Cum Laude) in 2000 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduating as Valedictorian of his Law School class, Patrick served as a Briefing Attorney for the Hon. Nathan Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas. Patrick then worked with some of the best lawyers in Dallas at a large national law firm.

Patrick is often called upon to work on extremely challenging patents involving complex cutting-edge technologies. His strengths include electrical/electronic, computer, and artificial intelligence technologies, with experience in chemical, biochemical, mechanical, biomechanical, and telecommunications technologies.

Joe Carlen

Joe Carlen has over 12 years of experience preparing in-depth Market Analyses and Commercialization Plans for inventors, entrepreneurs, and companies across a wide range of industries. Mr. Carlen has worked for global industry leaders such as Westinghouse Energy, AOL, and Banana Boat(sun care), small-midsize companies, and a large and varied selection of individual inventors and entrepreneurs. He has served clients in industries relating to consumer goods, electronics, high tech/software, medical devices, healthcare, child care, pet care, automotive, energy, manufacturing/quality control, online services, agriculture/food processing, entertainment, education, and many others.

Mr. Carlen earned a Master's degree in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, with various additional certifications in Business, Marketing, and Technology. Mr. Carlen offers a rare combination of technical knowledge, business acumen, and superb research, analysis, and writing skills. His Invention Market Analysis and Commercialization Services are valuable resources for inventors that are committed to maximizing the commercial potential of their inventions. Joe Carlen provides the clients of Russ Weinzimmer & Associates, PC with the "missing link" that helps inventors make progress from a great idea to the successful commercialization of their intellectual property.

JoAnne Leff

Founder and director of innovative business development company, J. L. Associates, specializing in creative and uniquely effective marketing strategies and the resulting sales implementation, targeting the decision makers of global multi-billion dollar companies in the appropriate industries for client companies on a regular basis. Known for specializing in the sale and licensing of patents and patent-pending technology.

Insightful and results-driven marketing and sales strategist, author, and speaker with a 20 + year record of notable success in primarily B2B new business development within highly competitive markets from sophisticated intangibles to the more obvious services/products. Exceptional deal driver prepared to change course most advantageously in the face of the inevitable unforeseen. In-depth marketplace analysis employed in tandem with more than extensive due diligence is characteristic. Strategic team building capability, astute relationship management skills, and a boundless perspective on new business opportunities are combined with smart approaches and the necessary negotiating skills for optimum business development return for the clients of Russ Weinzimmer & Associates PC.

Bob Stepha

Bob Stepha is currently engaged in the preparation of complex patent applications as a Technology Specialist with the firm. Bob Stepha has unique technical qualifications, including more than a decade of integrated circuit (IC) design and fabrication experience, in addition to over ten years of software engineering and computer science experience. Bob Stepha has a BA in Physics, and a Masters in Electrical Engineering, with additional graduate work in Materials Science.

In chip design, Bob Stepha has extensive experience in all phases of chip design and development, including circuit design, logic design, systems architecture, system simulation, high level design specification, high-level and low-level logic modeling, library development, CAD tool development, CAD process flow, circuit timing optimization, power modeling, device simulation, device layout, device modeling, statistical yield analysis, and fabrication.

In software engineering, Bob Stepha has extensive experience in software development, with application to a wide variety of problem domains including numerical methods, user interface design, graphics, language design, real-time simulation, analog signal processing, digital signal processing (DSP), machine learning, neural networks, data modeling, data interpretation, and statistical analysis.

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