Harness IP, one of the country’s premier intellectual property law firms, is pleased to announce that intellectual property attorney and litigator Michael Kella has joined the firm’s Metro St. Louis office. Kella brings a proven record of successfully advocating for clients across a range of IP proceedings and monetization strategies, including recovering millions of dollars in lost patent licensing revenue through complex litigation.

“Mike is a driven attorney with clear dedication to securing the best possible protection for his clients,” said Bryan Wheelock, Patent Attorney and Principal in the firm’s Clayton office. “His experience as an IP litigator setting strategies, finding loopholes and eliminating risks will certainly serve his clients well as he expands his practice beyond patent enforcement to include patent procurement.”

Kella primarily works with clients in the computer, software and consumer electronics industries, with significant experience in related fields such as wireless communication, e-commerce, automotive systems and power management. Prior to entering the legal field, he gained experience developing software for a Fortune 100 telecommunications company.

His practice with Harness IP will focus on patent preparation and prosecution, negotiating licensing agreements and providing IP litigation support to clients in federal courts and in proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Kella received his J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law with concentration in Intellectual Property Law. He also holds a B.S. in computer engineering from the University of Missouri. He is based in the firm’s Clayton, Missouri, office.

About Harness IP

Harness IP was founded in 1921 and is currently ranked seventh among the nation’s top patent firms in a 2016 poll by IPWatchdog. Harness IP safeguards critical IP assets on a global scale for Fortune 500 companies, private and public businesses, universities, inventors, artists and entrepreneurs.  Harness IP has offices in the metropolitan areas of Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.  Visit www.harnessip.com and follow @harnessdickey for more information.