Foley & Lardner LLP: Matthew E. Martin

For businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Illinois, protecting creative works, inventions, and brand identities is paramount in today's competitive landscape. The realm of intellectual property (IP) is complex and constantly evolving, requiring highly specialized legal counsel to ensure your innovations are safeguarded and leveraged effectively. In the heart of Chicago, Matthew E. Martin, a distinguished attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP, stands as a leading expert in intellectual property law. He is dedicated to helping clients navigate the intricacies of IP, from strategic patent procurement to comprehensive portfolio management, particularly within the manufacturing and consumer products industries.

This article will provide a detailed overview of Matthew E. Martin's expertise and the services offered through Foley & Lardner LLP, highlighting their accessible Chicago location, what sets them apart, and how they serve the Illinois community. From the perspective of a local innovator or business seeking to protect their valuable intellectual assets, we will explore why Matthew E. Martin and Foley & Lardner LLP are a suitable choice for your IP legal needs.

Matthew E. Martin practices at Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office, conveniently located at 321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA. This prominent address places the firm in a key business hub, offering excellent accessibility for clients throughout Illinois. Situated along the Chicago River, the office is easily reachable by various modes of transportation, making it a practical choice for businesses and individuals seeking sophisticated legal services.

For those utilizing Chicago's extensive public transportation network, the office building on North Clark Street is within comfortable walking distance of multiple CTA train stations (including those on the Brown, Purple, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines at Clark/Lake, and the Red Line at Grand) and numerous bus routes. This ensures a straightforward and efficient commute for clients traveling from diverse neighborhoods within Chicago, as well as those coming from suburban and wider Illinois regions. If driving is preferred, there are several parking garages available in the vicinity. However, as with any downtown Chicago location, it is advisable for local users to research parking options and potential traffic in advance, especially during peak business hours. The central and well-connected location underscores Foley & Lardner LLP's commitment to providing accessible and convenient high-level legal services to the Illinois business and innovation community.

Matthew E. Martin primarily counsels clients on intellectual property (IP) issues, with a strong focus on strategic patent procurement and IP portfolio management. His expertise spans a broad range of technical areas, particularly as they relate to consumer goods and fabrication. His services are designed to meet the complex IP needs of businesses, from startups to established corporations.

• Strategic Patent Procurement: Matthew Martin guides clients through the entire patent process, both domestically and internationally. His focus is on aligning patent strategy with a client's specific business goals. This includes:
  • Utility Patents: Protecting the functional aspects of new inventions.
  • Design Patents: Safeguarding the ornamental design of an article of manufacture.
  • Patentability Analysis: Assessing the likelihood of an invention being granted a patent.
  • Post-Grant Proceedings: Handling reexamination and reissue processes after a patent has been granted.
  • Foreign Patent Applications: Navigating international patent systems, including PCT, utility, design, and utility model applications.
• IP Portfolio Management: Matthew advises clients on the general management of their patent portfolios, both in-bound and out-bound. This involves strategic considerations for existing IP assets, including:
  • Design-Around Product Development Analysis: Assisting clients in developing new products that avoid infringing existing patents.
  • IP Due Diligence in Corporate Transactions: Conducting thorough IP assessments for mergers, initial public offerings (IPOs), and acquisitions to identify risks and opportunities.
  • IP-Related Agreements: Drafting and negotiating agreements such as joint venture, supply, licensing, and consultant agreements involving intellectual property.
  • Patent Rights under Bayh-Dole: Advising on rights related to inventions developed with federal funding.
• Patent Risk Management: A significant portion of his work involves helping clients manage risks posed by third-party patent rights. This includes:
  • Freedom-to-Operate Analysis: Determining if a new product or process infringes existing patents.
  • Third-Party Preissuance Submissions and Post-Grant Proceedings: Challenging or defending patent applications or granted patents.
  • Opinions and Licensing: Providing legal opinions on patent validity and infringement, and assisting with patent licensing agreements.
• Transactional Matters: Matthew has also worked on numerous transactional projects, leading IP due diligence for various corporate transactions, from IPOs to acquisitions of privately held companies in sectors like consumer goods, medical devices, and technology.

His ability to handle both the creation and protection of IP, as well as its integration into broader business strategies and transactions, makes him a comprehensive resource for Illinois-based innovators and businesses.

Matthew E. Martin's professional profile is marked by several key features and highlights that underscore his expertise and standing within the intellectual property legal community:

• Specialized Industry Focus: He particularly excels in intellectual property matters within the manufacturing and consumer products industries. His experience spans diverse technical areas, including plumbing fixtures, housewares, medical devices, food products, financial products, optics and lighting, coating compositions, microfabrication, radiation detection, computer memory, and semiconductors. This deep industry knowledge allows for highly tailored and effective legal solutions.
• Leadership Role: Matthew E. Martin serves as the Chicago IP Office Chair at Foley & Lardner LLP, a testament to his leadership and expertise within the firm's intellectual property practice. He is also the vice chair of the Mechanical & Electromechanical Technologies Practice and a member of the IP Litigation Practice and Energy Sector.
• Recognized Expertise: He has been recognized for his contributions to the legal field. For instance, he was named among the 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, a distinction awarded to top-rated practicing attorneys.
• Strong Educational Background: Matthew Martin earned his J.D. magna cum laude from The John Marshall Law School, where he was a Distinguished Scholar and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Review of Intellectual Property Law. He also holds a B.S. from Purdue University, providing a solid technical foundation for his IP practice.
• Comprehensive IP Strategy: His approach goes beyond simply filing patents; he focuses on strategic patent procurement and portfolio management that aligns with a client's overarching business goals, offering a holistic IP strategy.

These highlights collectively demonstrate a highly qualified attorney who brings both deep legal knowledge and practical industry insight to serve his clients effectively.

As a partner at a large, established law firm like Foley & Lardner LLP, Matthew E. Martin's practice does not typically advertise "promotions" or "special offers" in the traditional consumer sense. However, firms of this caliber often offer initial consultations to prospective clients, particularly for complex and specialized areas like intellectual property. This allows businesses and innovators in Illinois to discuss their specific IP needs, gain a preliminary understanding of their options, and assess the suitability of the firm's expertise without an immediate financial commitment for the initial discussion. It is always recommended to directly contact Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office to inquire about their consultation process, any associated fees for in-depth assessments, and to discuss the firm's billing practices for IP services. Transparent communication from the outset is a hallmark of professional legal engagement.

For businesses and innovators in Illinois seeking specialized intellectual property legal counsel, you can connect with Matthew E. Martin at Foley & Lardner LLP using the following contact details:

• Address: 321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
• Phone: (312) 832-4559
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-832-4559

Calling the provided phone number is the most direct way to speak with the office, schedule an appointment, or obtain more detailed information about the intellectual property services offered by Matthew E. Martin and his team. The prominent Chicago location ensures convenient access for clients throughout the Illinois region.

For businesses, startups, and individual innovators across Illinois, Matthew E. Martin at Foley & Lardner LLP offers an exceptional and highly suitable resource for intellectual property legal needs. His convenient location in downtown Chicago provides easy access for clients throughout the state, ensuring that expert IP counsel is readily available. What makes Matthew E. Martin particularly well-suited for locals is his specialized focus on the manufacturing and consumer products industries, coupled with a deep understanding of diverse technical areas. This means that Illinois-based companies, whether they are developing new housewares, medical devices, or complex industrial machinery, can find an attorney who speaks their language and understands their specific challenges.

His emphasis on strategic patent procurement and comprehensive IP portfolio management ensures that local innovators are not just protecting their creations but are doing so in a way that aligns with their overall business objectives. Furthermore, his leadership role within Foley & Lardner LLP's IP practice and his recognition as a Super Lawyer underscore his professional standing and capabilities. For Illinois entities looking to secure, manage, and defend their intellectual assets in a complex global market, Matthew E. Martin provides the specialized knowledge, strategic thinking, and dedicated support necessary to thrive. Choosing him means partnering with an attorney who is deeply invested in safeguarding your innovations and contributing to your long-term success in the Illinois economy.