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Attorneys
Bruce McKee
Bruce has been involved with the patent and trademark law for more than 50 years. In 1956, he earned his degree in engineering from Iowa State University. While studying law at American University (1956-59), Bruce worked as a patent examiner with the USPTO. From 1959 to 1962, Bruce served as an assistant staff judge advocate in the US Air Force Logistics Command Patent Section. . Following his military service, Bruce returned to Iowa and began his career as an intellectual property attorney.
Today, Bruce is one of the firms’s three named partners – working for the same firm that launched his career. He has worked on thousands of trademark and patent matters with a particular focus on international trademark issues and mechanical patents such as farm machinery and medical equipment.
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Michael Voorhees
For more than 35 years, Michael G. Voorhees has focused his career on patent prosecution, trademark registration and intellectual property litigation. Mike’s practice consists of mechanical, electrical, and medical inventions, as well as inventions in other technical areas. He has participated in numerous intellectual property suits while offering consultation to hundreds of clients regarding patentability of inventions and infringement or non-infringement of patents.
In addition to his work at MVS, Mike has taught courses on patents, trademarks, copyrights and unfair competition at the Drake University Law School.
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Edmund Sease
With more than 35 years of experience as a patent attorney, trademark attorney, intellectual property litigator and professor, Edmund J. Sease earns his place as one of the firm's name partners. So committed to the practice of intellectual property law, Ed is an active member in many professional organizations including the American Chemical Society, Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity and others.
Ed received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Drake University in 1964. He went on to receive his law degree, graduating Order of the Coif, from Drake in 1967. Before joining the law firm in 1973, Ed worked for seven years in the Patent Department of Proctor & Gamble.
Additionally, Ed is an adjunct professor of law at Drake University, where he teaches patent, copyright and trademark law as well as intellectual property litigation courses.
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Mark Hansing
Prosecuting mechanical patents, electrical patents and business method patents is the focus for attorney Mark D. Hansing. He joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease in 1981. He has been a partner with the firm since Additionally, Mark is an adjunct professor of law with his alma mater, the University of Iowa.
Mark graduated from Luther College in 1978 with degrees in physics and history. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1981. That same year, Mark joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C. and, in 1987, he became a firm member.
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Kirk Hartung
As an intellectual property attorney for 25 years, Kirk M. Hartung has practiced in the area of patent law, trademark law, copyright law and intellectual property litigation. With a degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa, Kirk joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease in 1982. Since then, he has devoted much of his efforts to mechanical patent prosecution and trademark registration. He also has participated in litigation for infringement of patent rights, trademark rights, copyrights, unfair competition and trade secret misappropriation.
In addition to his practice, Kirk has written and published a number of articles and law reviews on intellectual property law. He also is available for client or public presentations on intellectual property law.
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Heidi Nebel
Heidi S. Nebel holds a degree in molecular biology from the University of Iowa and went on to receive her law degree with honors from Drake University. She has been a patent attorney specializing in biotechnology patent prosecution since 1992 when she joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease. Today, Heidi has extensive experience in a variety of intellectual property law issues including trademark registration, licensing and chemical patent prosecution. Heidi also has been involved in all phases of litigation before state and federal courts, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board oppositions and appeals to the Federal Circuit. Heidi has successfully appealed decisions to the United States Patent and Trademark Office Board of Appeals and Interferences. She works in close association with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and often participates in examiner interviews on cases for her clients and in biotechnology round table sessions to discuss appropriate examination of new technology.
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Wendy Marsh
Wendy began her professional career as a pharmacist in 1990 but continued her academic endeavors by attending Drake University Law School. In 1994, she received her law degree and turned her attention to patent law. Shortly after graduating, Wendy joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease and she has been a member since 2001.
Her practice focuses primarily on patent prosecution for pharmaceuticals and medical devices and trademarks, including trademark oppositions, cancellations and prosecution. Wendy also heads the MVS international department, and specializes in foreign patent prosecution.
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Jeffrey Harty
Before becoming a patent attorney, Jeffrey D. Harty received a degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University. He worked as a computer programmer with Andersen Consulting before continuing his academic pursuits at the University of Iowa Law School. Jeff received his law degree with high distinction in 1995. Jeff joined MVS shortly thereafter. His practice began in patent prosecution, trademark registration and copyrights, but today much of his efforts focus on intellectual property litigation.
In addition to his work at MVS, Jeff is an adjunct professor of law at Drake University Law School. He also has been a guest lecturer discussing copyright law at the University of Iowa College of Law.
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Christine Lebrón-Dykeman
Christine Lebrón-Dykeman has broad background in the legal profession. Shortly after receiving her bachelor's degree from Smith College, she entered the University of Iowa College of Law. She graduated with honors in 1996 and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert W. Pratt, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. She traveled west working with Morrison & Foerster LLP, in San Francisco, California. Christine joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease in 2002. Today she is a member of the firm and one of just a handful of female attorneys working patent litigation, trademarks and copyrights.
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Scott Johnson
R. Scott Johnson has been a patent attorney and intellectual property litigator since graduating from Drake University Law School in 1999. Before attending law school, Scott received a degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University. His law career began with McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C. where he now spends most of his time working in litigation. He is a skilled specialist in discovery matters and has been successful in several summary judgment motions involving patent claim construction, patent and trademark infringement issues and patent invalidity.
Additionally, Scott prosecutes aerospace engineering patents, mechanical patents, software patents and e-Commerce patents as well as trademark registration and copyright registration.
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John Goodhue
As a patent attorney, John has prosecuted numerous patent applications relating to inventions involving electronics, mechanics, electromechanics, software, business methods and related fields. He also has prepared various software license agreements, Web site terms of use, Web site privacy agreements and other such agreements.
John's technical background includes computer engineering and electrical engineering. He received a degree in computer engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. After working in software development and electronics, John attended Drake University Law School and received his law degree with honors in 2000. Since then, he has worked as a patent attorney with McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C.
Additionally, John has authored many articles and co-authored the ABA published book, The Lawyer's Guide To Creating Persuasive Computer Presentations. He also is a frequent presenter.
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Steven Smith
Steve joined MVS in 2003 and he primarily handles all types of intellectual property transactional, negotiating and licensing matters. He counsels his clients in product placement issues and handles entertainment law agreements. He began his career working in patent litigation with the Silicon Valley office of Weil Goschal & Manges.
Steve received his baccalaureate degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington where he continues to serve on the school’s Intellectual Property Advisory Team.
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Robert Hodgson
A Hawkeye through-and-through, patent attorney and intellectual property litigator Robert A. Hodgson attended the University of Iowa first receiving his baccalaureate's degree in biochemistry (2000) and then his law degree (2003). While studying law, Rob worked as a research assistant with Intellectual Property Law Professor Mark Janis. His projects focused on plant biotechnology, the interface of intellectual property and anti-trust issues and trademark law.
Now, in addition to his patent law practice with McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C., Rob is also an adjunct professor at his alma mater.
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Janae Lehman Bell
Janaé Lehman Bell first joined McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C. as a law clerk in 2003. She returned in August, 2004 to begin her career as a patent attorney specializing biotechnology and molecular biology.
Janaé received her law degree from the University of Iowa in 2004. She received her Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2001. (Her thesis focused on the identification, isolation, and characterization of a novel gene in Drosophila.) Janaé's undergraduate work in biotechnology was completed at University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1995.
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Kurt Van Thomme
Kurt graduated with his undergraduate degree in Biology in 1996 followed by two years of graduate work in microbiology. After a brief hiatus from formal education, he returned to Drake University Law School. While in law school, Kurt served as Articles Editor of the Drake Law Review, captained both the National and Intellectual Property Moot Court teams, served as a research assistant and maintained a clerkship post with MVS. He graduated in 2005 as the valedictorian of his law school class.
Kurt has been with the firm since 2004, when he started as a clerk during law school. Kurt's practice focuses primarily on litigation, and also includes prosecution of patent and trademark applications and other phases of intellectual property law.
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Janet Phipps Burkhead
Janet graduated with an undergraduate degree in Food and Nutrition – Dietetics and Masters of Public Administration from Iowa State University. After working for many years in the public sector, she attended Drake University Law School, graduating in 2005. While in law school, Janet was active in Drake Law Women and as a student member of Polk County Women Attorneys. She was a member of Drake Law School's 2003-04 National Moot Court team which went to nationals in New York City. During law school, Janet clerked at Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen and Max Schott & Assoc. She also completed internships with the American Judicature Society, Dallas County Attorney's Office, and U.S. Attorney's Office, as well as, doing criminal defense work at the Drake Legal Clinic.
Before entering law school, Janet worked in the public sector in both Iowa and Michigan. She is currently a Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard.
Janet joined MVS in August 2005. Her practice focuses primarily on litigation.
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Kyle Coleman
Kyle's technical background focuses on mechanical engineering. During his academic career he acquired expertise in the areas of optics, optical transmission spectroscopy, polymeric materials, stress analysis, composites and electro-mechanics. Additionally, he had the opportunity to work on a Department of Defense grant to develop an optical fiber sensor system to monitor in-situ the stresses experienced by high stress components within an aircraft during flight. The system also allowed for in-situ monitoring of the overall structural health of these parts during routine maintenance. Initial research efforts culminated in the issuance of a US patent covering a particular embodiment of this invention.
Exposed to the world of intellectual property law, Kyle pursued his law degree and gained in-depth legal experience as an intellectual property analyst for the University of Wyoming Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Office.
In addition to his full-spectrum patent prosecution practice, Kyle is an accomplished author, teacher and presenter.
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Jill Link
Jill Link received her doctorate degree in pharmacy in 2004. She continued her education at Drake University completing her law degree graduating with high honors in the spring of 2007. During her years as a law student Drake, Jill continued to work as a hospital pharmacist while also achieving top honors including National Moot Court Team Member and Top Oralist in First Year Oral Argument C. Edwin Moore Moot Court Top Four Finalists.
Jill has been with MVS as a legal clerk since 2006. Jill’s practice focuses primarily on prosecution of patent and trademark applications and other phases of intellectual property law.
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