To practice as an intellectual property (IP) attorney means to focus on the intersection of technology, business and law. Mike Martensen arms his clients with a competitive advantage in IP by falling back to basic underlying themes of attention to detail, dedication to excellence and discipline. Mike was forged in this foundation as an F-15 fighter pilot and mission commander in the United States Air Force, culminating with his selection as the Air Force’s Chief of Advance Weapon Systems Test and Evaluation. Mike’s depth of technical knowledge and experience in cutting edge innovation are likewise the foundation for his passion for discovering, fostering and protecting new technologies.
Starting with three engineering degrees from the United States Air Force Academy (BS, Engineering Mechanics & Engineering Science) and Mississippi State University (MS, Aerospace Engineering), Mike further developed his skills in business and engineering by earning an MBA in Technical Management from the University of West Florida. Armed with a strong engineering and business academic background, Mike capped his education with a JD from Duke, specializing in IP with the goal to help others through the intricacies of intellectual property law.
Mike began his practice in patent law by helping a then-growing hi-tech manufacturer called Cree in North Carolina defend itself against a patent suit, in 1987. His success ultimately led to his working with nationally-recognized attorneys at Perkins Coie, Hogan Lovells, and Wilson, Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, in Silicon Valley. Thankful for these rich experiences but nonetheless longing to establish a law practice to help businesses on a more personal, tailored level, Mike founded Martensen IP in Colorado Springs.
Today, Mike practices IP law across a broad span of matters, including patent prosecution, IP portfolio management and due diligence review, trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights. Mike also counsels clients on potential infringement issues and validity of patents, freedom to operate, and product clearance investigations, among other areas. Mr. Martensen leverages his successful Air Force career to help clients navigate the complexities of working in government channels while still protecting their IP, especially IP related to government contracts and prime-subcontractor relationships. Counseling hi-tech startups on how to protect and commercialize intellectual property developed through government funding remains an important component of Mike’s practice.
Mike’s experience spans a broad range over the technical fields of computer science, software, internet-related technologies, semiconductor devices and materials, encryption, fluid dynamics, medical devices and the mechanical arts (particularly aerospace-related inventions). Beyond arming his clients with competitive advantages secured by intellectual property rights, Mike also has considerable experience as an IP and patent litigator. Providing boutique-level, individually-tailored IP and patent services to his clients who range from the small commercial startup to the large, tech-focused government contractor remain Mike’s focus.
Source: Colorado Springs Style 2018-Top-Attorneys