The Van Winkle Law Firm announces new Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Team

The Van Winkle Law Firm announced the formation of a patent, trademark, and copyright team. Patent attorneys David M. Carter, Steven C. Schnedler, and R. Brian Johnson are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Litigators Larry S. McDevitt, David M. Wilkerson, and Heather Whitaker Goldstein will continue to litigate in the areas of patent and trademark infringement litigation and antitrust. Additionally, privacy and information security attorney Adinna Augur Smith will join the practice in the area of trademark and copyright law. A new website (www.ashevillepatent.com) has been created to promote the group.

“Inventors, innovators, and creators can find everything they need at our firm,” said Johnson. “We have a deep bench of experience especially in the patent industry.” Adds Wilkerson, “The formation of this group is a huge benefit for our clients in that we can offer them the extensive knowledge of registered patent attorneys combined with the experience of patent litigators.”

Carter has more than forty years of experience in patent and trademark prosecution and copyright law. In addition to his law degree, he holds a degree in physics, is a former patent examiner, and was trained in patent prosecution at General Electric. Carter is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the N.C. State Bar, and The Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association. He received his undergraduate degree in physics from Western Kentucky University and received his law degree at George Washington University.

Schnedler has more than 38 years of experience in patent and trademark prosecution and copyright law. In addition to his law degree, he holds a degree in electrical engineering and was trained in patent prosecution at General Electric. Schnedler is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the N.C. State Bar, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and The Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University and his law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

Johnson began his career as a patent examiner in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He has worked in private practice as a patent attorney for more than ten years in all aspects of intellectual property, particularly patent and trademark prosecution in the United States and internationally. Johnson also served as general counsel for the telecommunications agency within the state government of South Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina and South Carolina state bars and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Johnson received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Duke University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina.

A fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers, McDevitt practices in civil litigation with a special emphasis on patent and trademark infringement and antitrust. He is past president of both the North Carolina Bar Association and University of North Carolina Law School Alumni Association. He is also a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference and has received peer recognition through Best Lawyers in America, Legal Elite, and Super Lawyers. A former Mayor of Asheville, McDevitt has been involved in professional and community services activities on local, state, and national levels. He is known nationally for his work with the American Bar Association, having served on its Board of Governors and been elected by the lawyers of North Carolina for twelve years to serve as state delegate to the ABA. McDevitt currently serves as the national Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of North Carolina.

Wilkerson practices in the area of business litigation with an emphasis on patent and trademark infringement and antitrust. He has litigated numerous patent and trademark disputes as well as trade secret litigation. Wilkerson is experienced in litigating in federal and state courts and is licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as all federal districts in both states. He currently serves as an elected member of the Antitrust and Complex Business Disputes Council of the North Carolina Bar Association. Wilkerson received his undergraduate degree from Furman University, a master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a law degree from the University of South Carolina.

Goldstein has represented clients in a wide range of commercial litigation matters involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement, unfair trade practices, and contract disputes. Her practice includes trial and appellate work in the North Carolina and federal court systems. She has also participated, with colleagues, in successful appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Fourth Circuit, as well as the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Goldstein is a graduate of Duke University and received her law degree from George Washington University.

Smith practices in the areas of trademark, copyright, privacy, information security, and business transactions. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Her practice involves advising a wide range of companies, investors and institutions in a variety of transactions involving intellectual property. Smith is a graduate of Cornell University and received her law degree from the University of California at Berekely.