Jacob M. Ward

Founding Member

Jacob "Jake" M. Ward is a registered patent attorney admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in the State of Michigan, and before the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Ward is also a registered Canadian Patent Agent, non-resident, admitted to practice before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

Amy E. Rinaldo

Member and Managing Attorney

Ms. Rinaldo has extensive experience as a Registered Patent Attorney before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She has assisted corporations, small businesses, and individuals not only in protecting their intellectual property rights, but also in planning and executing a worldwide protection strategy. This has enabled her clients to effectively leverage their intellectual property portfolios (including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets) in acquiring additional funding or acquisition.

Chloe Goodlive

Member

Chloe Goodlive is an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Ohio, and a Senior Associate at Ward Law Office. Her duties include, preparation and prosecution of patent applications in various technical arts, including the chemical, mechanical, and electrical arts. Ms. Goodlive also prepares legal opinions related to patentability, infringement, patent validity, and freedom to practice.

William A. Ziehler, PhD

Managing Attorney

Dr. William “Bill” Ziehler has extensive experience as a Registered Patent Attorney before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His practice focuses on the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, and provision of legal opinions on freedom-to-practice, infringement, and patentability. He also has substantial appellate experience before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the USPTO.

Chip Dusseau

Managing Attorney

William "Chip" Dusseau is a Registered Patent Attorney. Mr. Dusseau has 15 years of experience in intellectual property law. He has worked in both private practice and in-house counsel. Mr. Dusseau has extensive experience in developing and executing intellectual property strategy and the management of patent and trademark portfolios.

Fernando Alberdi, PhD

Managing Attorney

Dr. Fernando Alberdi has extensive experience in intellectual property law, with a focus on patent preparation and prosecution in the life sciences sector. His practice encompasses counseling public and private companies, as well as non-profit institutions including hospitals, research institutions and universities on the full spectrum of patent-related matters.

Courtney Cannell

Senior Associate

Courtney Cannell is a registered patent attorney admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in the State of Ohio. Ms. Cannell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron, School of Law. At the University of Akron, Ms. Cannell was also awarded a certificate of concentration in Intellectual Property Law.

Zachary Proch

Associate

Zachary Proch is an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Certificate in Polymer Engineering from The University of Akron. Before embarking on his legal career, Zachary gained valuable experience as a Materials Engineer at Hankook Tire ATC. He earned his Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from The University of Akron School of Law.

Jon Shackelford

Senior Attorney

Jon Shackelford is a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney practicing in Michigan.  Jon began his training in the IP-legal field in 1986. After graduating from law school in 1990, Jon entered private practice as a licensed attorney.  In 1997, Jon took a position to head the IP Department for global automotive supplier Federal-Mogul Corporation (Southfield, Michigan).  In 2004, Jon returned to private practice and since that time has served as legal counsel to a wide spectrum of clients on matters of IP strategy and implementation.

Shweta Dharap

Patent Specialist

Shweta Dharap works as a Patent Specialist at Ward Law Office. She has limited recognition to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office and holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and a Master of Science in Law (MSL) degree from Northwestern University. At the firm, she handles filing of patent applications, responses and Information Disclosure Statements.

Kristina Montanez

Of Counsel

Kristina Montanez is a Registered Patent Attorney before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is licensed to practice in Washington State and the United States District Courts for the Western & Eastern Districts of Washington. Ms. Montanez received a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from Oregon State University, a Bachelor degree in Government from Eastern Washington University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Gonzaga, School of Law.

Matt Rykels

Of Counsel

Mr. Rykels has experience as a Registered Patent Attorney before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and is Senior Counsel with Ward Law Office. He has experience working with large organizations, start-ups, and entrepreneurs to develop and execute patent and trademark strategies including identification of potentially protectible inventions, trademark identification, prosecution, appeals, pre-litigation investigations, post-grant proceedings, and preparing patent portfolios for enforcement and sale.

Mandy Sinclair-Nitschke

Of Counsel

Mandy Sinclair-Nitschke is an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Ohio. Her practice focuses on the drafting and prosecution of trademark and patent applications, and provision of legal opinions relating to trademark clearance, freedom to practice, patent infringement, and patentability.

James J. Dottavio

Of Counsel

James (“Jim”) Dottavio is a registered patent attorney, admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and before the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Dottavio served as the Director of Technology Transfer at West Virginia University, and previously served as in-house IP Counsel for the Ford Motor Company and Owens Corning.

Mustafa Nahhas

Law Clerk

Mustafa Nahhas is a patent law clerk interested in pursuing a career in Intellectual Property Law. Mustafa received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University and is currently employed as a mechanical engineer. He is scheduled to begin law school this year.

Griselda Gjikolaj

Law Clerk

Griselda Gjikolaj is a patent law clerk with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and currently attending law school at Michigan State University, College of Law. She supports patentability searches, provisional application drafting, Office Action work, and client communications regarding examining‑attorney positions.

Jenn Howard

Business Manager

Jenn Howard is the Business Manager at Ward Law Office LLC. As the Business Manager, Jenn is responsible for maintaining client information, managing the docketing and renewals systems of the firm, overseeing daily office tasks, and managing and distributing inbound communication from clients, foreign associates and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Christine Golupski

Docketing Manager

Christine Golupski has over 12 years of experience working in the field of Intellectual Property Law. During this time she has prepared and filed U.S. and PCT patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), reports USPTO correspondence and filings to the client, maintains communication with foreign associates, assists with docketing, and has attended to payment of annuity and maintenance fees.

Samantha Yahn

Senior Legal Assistant

Samantha Yahn works as a Legal Assistant at Ward Law Office. She is skilled in the filing of patent applications and communicating with clients and foreign associates. Ms. Yahn manages incoming correspondence for the law firm and is responsible for the opening of new matters at the firm.

Katie Steinhauser

Administrative Assistant

Katie Steinhauser works as an Administrative Assistant at Ward Law Office. Ms. Steinhauser manages outgoing correspondence for the law firm and is responsible for client communications regarding updates to patent and trademark prosecution.

Bryan Tom

Legal Assistant

Bryan Tom works as a Legal Assistant at Ward Law Office. He has worked in the field of Intellectual Property Law since 2014. Bryan has extensive experience with domestic and foreign patent and trademark prosecution, portfolio management, maintaining databases, and docketing systems. He has earned a Patent Paralegal Certificate in 2017 and has worked at various firms, resulting in a wealth of diverse knowledge to share with Ward Law Office.

Kendre Daniels

Legal Assistant

Kristin Baker

Docketing Specialist

Ms. Baker is a Docketing Specialist responsible for monitoring deadlines and maintaining accurate docketing records for intellectual property matters.

Anne Fisher

Legal Assistant

Anne Fisher is a Legal Assistant at Ward Law Office LLC and has over 10 years of experience working in the field of Intellectual Property Law. As an Administrative Assistant, her expertise is in researching and filing prior art disclosures with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She also handles filing patent applications and communicating with clients and foreign associates.

Angelica Hall

Docketing Specialist

Kristi Ward

Firm Administrator

Kristi Ward is the Firm Administrator of Ward Law Office LLC. Kristi is responsible for billing, accounts receivable, payroll, human resources, technology and managing the daily operations of the law firm. She is also the wife of Jacob, the Founding Member of Ward Law Office.

Jeri Fasig

Accounting Advisor

Ms. Fasig is an experienced accounting professional based in Ohio with a background in financial management, accounting operations, and business advisory support. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Ohio and experienced in senior financial leadership roles, including serving as Chief Financial Officer for an established marketing and media organization headquartered in Toledo, Ohio.

Craig Watson

Accounting Assistant

Craig Watson is an Accounting Assistant for Ward Law Office LLC.  As Accounting Assistant, he is responsible for billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other accounting-related duties.

Lisa VanKlingeren

Accounting Assistant

Ms. VanKlingeren is an Accounting Assistant who assists with accounting and financial administration at Ward Law Office. She has experience supporting financial operations for business organizations and prior to joining the firm worked in accounting‑related roles in the Toledo, Ohio area, where her responsibilities included managing accounts and supporting day‑to‑day financial administration.

Kaelyn Ruas

Executive Assistant

Kaelyn Ruas works as a Legal Assistant at Ward Law Office. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Political Science and International Relations at Florida Atlantic University. She has worked at various firms and takes inspiration from her diverse work experience, including earning a scholarship for her essay on the relationship between language barriers and medical malpractice from her local County Chapter Association of Legal Administrators.