(Raleigh, N.C.) Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A. (Myers Bigel), the largest independent patent law firm in North Carolina, continues to enhance its talented legal team’s understanding of new and challenging issues affecting intellectual property, trademark and copyrights, and patents with an ongoing series of in-house educational events featuring legal industry experts. Recently, Myers Bigel completed its summer 2012 programming which included several well-attended Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations as well as a visit by patent examiners from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

“The USPTO visit was a great opportunity for our attorneys to interact directly with examiners,” said Rob Schwartzman, Ph.D., J.D., who coordinated the USPTO session at Myers Bigel as well as trips to several area businesses, UNC Chapel Hill, and the Triangle Intellectual Property Law Association.

Dr. Schwartzman, who served as a USPTO examiner himself for six years, said the visit to RTP served to educate the examiners on recent scientific and technological developments as well as the thoughts and opinions of applicants. About 15 Myers Bigel attorneys attended the USPTO event at the firm’s offices in Raleigh.

“Getting practicing patent lawyers together with USPTO examiners enables both sides to better understand major issues and helps the application and review process go more smoothly. The examiners get to know what we are thinking when working on our end, and we have a better idea of where they are coming from,” Dr. Schwartzman explained.

Myers Bigel hosted a half dozen CLE sessions so far in 2012 and is in the beginning stages of unveiling its fall lineup. Topics of some of this year’s CLE credit presentations have focused on differing aspects of the America Invents Act, multi-party infringement, the proposed rule for supplemental examination, and patent licensing terms, among others.

“Continuing education is an important piece of the puzzle in keeping our talented attorneys well-versed in continuing developments related to enforcing or defending patents, trademarks, and copyrights in areas such as healthcare, life sciences and technology,” said Managing Partner Jim Cannon.

Myers Bigel lawyers are dedicated to furthering best practices in patent law, regularly participating in regional and national symposia, seminars, and continuing education events, Cannon explained. He pointed to the firm’s continuing efforts to provide opportunities and encouragement for its proven legal talent to improve and share their knowledge and skills, while supporting them with the tools, technology, and staff to successfully acquire, protect, and exploit patent assets.

“We’ve made and will continue to make a serious investment in high-quality talent to ensure low turnover and a stable team of practicing patent lawyers who can focus on their work in a supportive environment for our clients and for one another, unlike many other firms,” he said.

Myers Bigel provides expertise in all intellectual property areas, including trademark and copyrights, as well as patents. Operating out of the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, Myers Bigel represents corporate and university clients located in the Carolinas, throughout the Southeast, across the United States, and internationally.

For more information, visit www.myersbigel.com.

About Myers Bigel
Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A. (Myers Bigel) is an intellectual property law firm combining patent law expertise with a stable continuity of counsel to produce quality patents that stand up to scrutiny. The largest independent patent law firm in North Carolina, Myers Bigel is continually ranked among the top national firms by well-respected legal media and industry organizations. The firm’s knowledgeable, vibrant team of attorneys with degreed technical experience successfully acquires, protects, enforces and defends patent assets and intellectual property in a variety of fields including biotechnology, chemistry, electronics and computing, mechanical, trademark, and university practice groups, as well as in litigation. Headquartered in Raleigh in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, with clients spanning the globe, Myers Bigel remains active in symposia, seminars, and continuing education efforts to further best practices in intellectual property protection and enforcement. For more information on the firm’s high quality intellectual property work visit www.myersbigel.com.