Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2006 with Honors
- Order of the Coif
Michigan State University, B.A., 2003,
-Chemistry, with High Honors
-International Relations, with High Honors
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Zachary W. Behler
Based in the Lansing office, Zach Behler practices with the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group where he represents clients on a wide range of matters including:
- Commercial Litigation: business disputes, contracts, commercial torts, unfair trade practices, etc.
- Intellectual Property: patent prosecution, patent infringement litigation, patent portfolio administration, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, etc.
- Municipal Law: municipal litigation, employment litigation, land use and planning, condemnation, whistle blowers protection act, etc.
- Environmental Law: environmental litigation, alternative energy, land use planning, etc.
- General Litigation: insurance defense, employment and labor litigation, property claims, personal injury.
Of particular interest, Zach is one of few licensed patent attorneys in Mid-Michigan who is presently handling software applications. Additionally, he handles all other intellectual property matters such as patent prosecution, patent infringement litigation, patent portfolio administration, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights protection.
Zach earned both his B.A. in Chemistry and his B.A. in International Relations with high honors from Michigan State University’s James Madison College in 2003. In 2006, he received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin College of Law, with honors.
Active in alumni, community and legal organizations, Zach has presented as a panelist at James Madison College’s Alumni Law Night, Michigan State Law School, and Michigan State’s Global Business Club. Additionally, he is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Michigan Intellectual Property Association.
Representative Matters
- Currently serving as lead defense counsel in Federal District Court for the Southern District of California for Square One Industries, Inc in MOTION WATER SPORTS, INC. v. RONIX, INC. 10-CV-2480-IEG.
- Served as lead defense counsel in Federal District Court for the Western District of Michigan for Redmer Industries, Inc in CAREY J. BOOTE v. REDMER INDUSTRIES, INC. 1:11-CV-00490-JTN.
- Served as lead defense counsel in Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas for Diglink Computers in CROSSROAD SYSTEM, INC. v. POSTVISION, INC. ET AL 09-CV-00879-SS. The case settled after a Markman Hearing on favorable terms.
- Served as lead defense counsel in Federal District Court for the Southern District of California for Diglink Computers in DATA NETWORK STORAGE, LLC. v. ABERDEEN, INC. ET AL 08-CV-0658-MMA. The case settled on favorable terms.
- Served as local counsel in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for Shock Doctor, Inc in WARRIOR SPORTS, INC. v. SHOCK DOCTOR, INC. 07-cv-12615-RHC-MKM. The case settled on favorable terms.
- Assisted client in preparing a U.S. Patent application covering an innovative homeland security software application.
- Obtained reinstatement for employees that were prohibited from performing their jobs after being wrongfully accused of a commercial theft.
- Helped to obtain partial reversal of a trial court injunction which prohibited the discharge of treated ground water as part of a crude oil cleanup project.
- Successfully settled a lawsuit on behalf of a village to recover $90,000 for damage to village-owned land caused by a forest fire.
Speaking Engagements
- Careers in Intellectual Property, MIPLA event, November 11, 2011
- Ask a Lawyer, Michigan Township Association, January 26, 2011
- Careers in Intellectual Property, MIPLA event, Cooley Law School, March 18, 2010
- Panelist James Madison Alumni Career Day, Michigan State University, February 2010
- Intellectual Property Basics, January 2010
- Protecting Intellectual in Foreign Nations, March 2009
Publications
- Buying Registered Trademarks as Google Adwords?, Foster Swift Business & Corporate Law Report, Spring 2011
- What Software Companies Should Know About Patents, Foster Swift Information Technology E-News, January 19, 2010
- Has your Township Considered Pursuing an Energy Grant? Federal and State Aid is Potentially Available, Foster Swift Municipal Law News: MTA Special Edition, January 2009
- Michigan Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals' Decision in Benefiel v Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Foster Swift No-Fault E-News, December 23, 2008
- Technology Tips: What to Avoid when Contracting for a New Website or Software, Foster Swift Municipal Law News: MTA Edition, January 2008
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- State Bar of Michigan
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Ingham County Bar Association
- Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys
- Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association
Industry & Professional Associations:
- Marketing Committee Member, Michigan IT Network
- Grand River Connection
- James Madison Alumni Association
- Michigan State Honors College Alumni Association
