Kinney & Lange Newsletter

Kinney & Lange has a newsletter "K&L IP News", which features coverage on a variety of intellectual property law topics. You can download your free copy of the latest issue here (PDF format).

News Release re: Jo Fairbairn

Jo M. Fairbairn retired from the practice of law effective August 1, 2011.  In addition to serving as an attorney at Kinney & Lange P.A in Minneapolis for the last twenty-seven years, Jo’s thirty-eight year legal career includes the distinction of being one of the first women to practice law in Dakota County, MN, teaching business law at Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, MN and managing franchise legal matters at Multifoods Corporation of Minnetonka, MN.  During her time at Kinney & Lange, Jo’s legal practice focused primarily on trademark law.  Kinney & Lange would like to thank Jo for her years of dedicated service to the firm and wishes her well in the next stage of her life.

News Release re: Ted Neils

Kinney & Lange congratulates Ted Neils on his retirement from the firm, effective January 31, 2011.  Ted joined Kinney & Lange in August 1986, and brought with him twenty years of experience as both an engineer and Division Counsel at Honeywell, Inc.  We thank Ted for all of his contributions over the years, and wish him well in his retirement.

Kinney & Lange Congratulates its Newest Shareholders

Effective July 1, 2011, Larrin Bergman and Austin Zuege became shareholders of Kinney & Lange.  Larrin and Austen joined the firm as associates in 2002 and 2003, respectively.  Since then, both have been successfully representing clients in a variety of intellectual property matters.  Kinney & Lange welcomes Larrin and Austen as they each contribute their unique knowledge, experiences, and leadership to the firm.

Two Kinney & Lange Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in 2011

Kinney & Lange congratulates its 2011 Super Lawyer David R. Fairbairn and Rising Star Alan M. Koenck. Super Lawyers surveyed Minnesota attorneys regarding those members of the Minnesota State Bar whom they considered to be Super Lawyers. The Super Lawyers Selection Committee evaluated the nominations received and made the final selections.  No more than five percent of the total lawyers in the state are selected as a Super Lawyer.  This is Dave's ninth consecutive year of being named a Super Lawyer and Alan's third time on the list of Rising Stars.

Four Kinney & Lange Attorneys Recognized as Top Patent Prosecutors in 2011

Kinney & Lange congratulates four attorneys named as Top Patent Prosecutors by Patent Buddy®, a leading networking tool for innovators and patent professionals.  David R. Fairbairn, Alan M. Koenck, Stephen M. Komarec, and Austen Zuege were all named to the list compiled in conjunction with The Patent Research Review.  Out of approximately 30,000 registered patent attorneys, less than 2% were selected as Top Patent Prosecutors.

Kinney & Lange Named as a Top Patent Firm

Kinney & Lange was named as a top patent firm in 2010 by Intellectual Property Today.  The rankings were based on the number of US utility applications issued in 2010 where the law firm was listed as the legal representative on the issued patent.

Kinney & Lange Welcomes its 2010 Associates

GRANT M. McNEILLY received his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Prior to law school, Grant earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While earning his undergraduate degree, he was a member of the UW Mini-Baja off-road racecar team and twice competed in the UW Innovation Day competition.

ERIK WRIGHT received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics at Grinnell College in Iowa and his Master of Science Degree in Physics at the University of Illinois, specializing in chaotic systems and physics pedagogy. Erik completed his Juris Doctor (magna cum laude) in 2010 at the University of Minnesota, where he studied patent law and criminal sentencing reform, and served on the Journal of International Law.

In his free time, Erik enjoys reading, swimming, and practicing his Swedish and Japanese.

Four Kinney & Lange Associates Assist Pro Se Project Individual

For more than thirty years, Kinney & Lange has recognized the importance of pro bono representation and other in-kind contributions to the broader legal community.  The need for legal representation is always great, and the costs can not always be borne by those who need that representation most, especially in tough economic times.

Four Kinney & Lange associates rose to the challenge.  Through the Pro Se Project of the Federal Bar Association, Kinney & Lange learned of an individual in need of legal aid and helped him navigate the Federal Court system, resutling in a favorable settlement.

Recent Publications

Kinney & Lange Wins $44 Million for Client

Kinney & Lange represented SPX Corporation in a binding arbitration proceeding involving infringement by Snap-on, Inc. of three basic patents owned by SPX on digital waveform displays for automotive engine analyzers. The dispute originated in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois before U.S. District Court Judge John F. Grady, who decided many of the issues raised by the pleadings, including deciding all claim construction issues during over 20 days of Markman hearings on multiple patents. Eventually, the parties agreed to try all remaining issues to a mutually-selected arbitrator. The trial to the arbitrator occurred in two phases over 19 days: phase one comprised several counts arising out of SPX's hiring of the former president of Sun Electric (which was acquired by Snap-on in 1992) and phase two related to Snap-on's infringement of the three SPX patents. By agreement of the parties, the Arbitrator selected the "last final offer" of the parties that was closest to the appropriate damages award for the combined phases of the arbitration (sometimes referred to as "baseball arbitration"). Snap-on's last final offer was $3 million in its favor and SPX's last final offer was $44 million in its favor. The Arbitrator found for SPX and awarded it $44 million.