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When preparing a patent application for a client, Bob emphasizes strategic planning and detailed drafting to strive for efficiency. He believes this is the best way to create real value for clients and their intellectual property portfolios.

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Bob is an intellectual property attorney in the Denver office of Merchant &amp; Gould who practices in the mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software, and telecommunication spaces. Prior to joining Merchant &amp; Gould, Bob worked as a structural design engineer in commercial and residential construction in the Denver area. He later gained more experience at a private practice firm where he focused on the preparation and prosecution of patents in the areas of aircraft engines, power generation, oil and gas, additive manufacturing, financial transaction software, corrugated containers, solar energy, vending machines and equine accessories.

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Outside of work, Bob likes to take advantage of his proximity to the beautiful Rocky Mountains and enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and running.

University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., 2013

University of Colorado, M.S. Civil Engineering/Structural Engineering

University of Colorado, B.S. Civil Engineering/Structural Engineering

Bob Sykes, Intellectual Property Attorney

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Denver

Denver Office Grows Local Leadership



Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce the promotion of <a href="/people/robert-s-sykes/">Robert S. Sykes</a> to partner in its <a href="/offices/denver/">Denver office</a>, effective Jan. 1, 2022.  



Sykes is an intellectual property attorney who practices in the mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software and telecommunication spaces. When preparing a patent application for a client, he emphasizes strategic planning and detailed drafting to strive for efficiency. &nbsp;Sykes believes this is the best way to create real value for clients and their intellectual property portfolios. &nbsp;



“We are excited to expand our leadership and promote Bob, who exemplifies the professionalism and experience that help our firm to grow and be successful, especially when our clients need us most,” said <a href="/people/andrew-l-jagenow/">Andrew Jagenow</a>, managing partner of Merchant &amp; Gould’s Denver office. “His promotion brings greater depth to our Mechanical, Electrical and Software Practice Groups in some of the most inventive industries in Colorado and across the country.”

Merchant & Gould Promotes Robert S. Sykes to Partner

Grows Leadership in Minneapolis, Denver and New York



Merchant &amp; Gould promoted three attorneys in three of its offices around the country – a notable way to launch the New Year.  Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the promotions include <a href="/people/michael-a-erbele/">Michael A. Erbele</a> in Minneapolis; <a href="/people/luciano-a-ricondo/">Luciano A. Ricondo</a> in New York; and <a href="/people/robert-s-sykes/">Robert S. Sykes</a> in Denver.



“We are excited to expand our leadership and embrace Merchant &amp; Gould’s growth in 2022, especially when new technologies are increasing and when our clients need us most.  These promotions bring depth to our practice groups in inventive industries across the country,” said Christopher J. Leonard, Managing Director and CEO of Merchant &amp; Gould.  



Michael A. Erbele, promoted to partner in the Minneapolis office, focuses on intellectual property litigation and appellate-level disputes, representing clients in federal courts and agencies throughout the United States and in state court in Minnesota. He is involved in all aspects of complex intellectual property cases, from pre-suit investigation and discovery, through trial, post-trial, and appeal. &nbsp;Michael’s practice centers on patent infringement, trademark and trade dress infringement, unfair competition claims, and trade secret misappropriation. &nbsp;He has a technical background in chemistry and has represented clients in a wide variety of fields, including consumer products, financial services, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and software.



Luciano A. Ricondo, promoted to partner in the New York office, helps his clients to strategically grow their patent portfolios and obtain comprehensive intellectual property protection for new products and businesses. &nbsp;He drafts and prosecutes domestic and foreign patent applications in the mechanical, electrical, computer, and software-related arts. &nbsp;Luciano also prepares and prosecutes domestic and foreign industrial designs. &nbsp;While his practice expands across multiple industries, Luciano’s practice primarily focuses on medical devices and software including healthcare communications connecting healthcare professionals with patients. In addition to patent prosecution, he provides litigation support in a variety of areas, including drafting opinion letters regarding patentability, freedom to operate, and patent infringement.



Robert S. Sykes, promoted to partner in the Denver office, is an intellectual property attorney who practices in the mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software and telecommunication spaces. When preparing a patent application for a client, he emphasizes strategic planning and detailed drafting to strive for efficiency. &nbsp;Robert believes this is the best way to create real value for clients and their intellectual property portfolios. &nbsp;

Merchant & Gould Promotes Three Attorneys to Partners in Three Offices

James Rieke and Robert Sykes refresh with specialization and deep industry experience



Merchant &amp; Gould is pleased to announce new leadership for its <a></a><a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Practices/Design-Patent-Trade-Dress">Design Patent &amp; Trade Dress Group</a>, marking a refresh with deeper specialization for its clients. <a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/james-p-rieke/">James P. Rieke</a>, Minneapolis partner, and <a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/people/robert-s-sykes/">Robert S. Sykes</a>, Denver partner, will co-chair the practice group, demonstrating a well-balanced leadership team in this fast-growing area of intellectual property.



The <a href="https://www.merchantgould.com/Practices/Design-Patent-Trade-Dress">Design Patent &amp; Trade Dress Group</a> serves all clients, regardless of industry or specific technical needs, helping obtain and enforce utility patents, utility models, design patents, trademarks, trade dress, copyrights and trade secrets. The group is comprised of attorneys with a deep understanding about how the different types of intellectual property (e.g., trade dress and design patents), domestically and internationally, can be used offensively and defensively in an integrated intellectual property strategy.&nbsp;



“Jim and Bob bring deep experience across many industries, and, together, they provide leadership and specialized solutions to this practice group and our firm They will keep our clients updated on the newest Design Patent &amp; Trade Dress trends, case law and comprehensive IP strategies,” said Julie Daulton, Minneapolis partner and co-chair of Merchant &amp; Gould’s Mechanical Practice Group, which interconnects with the Design Patent &amp; Trade Dress Group.



Jim has more than 20 years of domestic and international experience with a focus on patent preparation, prosecution, and strategic IP portfolio management. His unique and extensive background in design patents, a rapidly-growing niche area that helps inventors and companies with patents related to the way products look, is extremely specialized. Jim has handled an extensive volume of design patent cases over the years across a broad range of innovative industries.



Bob has more than 10 years of experience in the mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software, and telecommunication spaces.&nbsp;He incorporates his background as a structural design engineer into his law practice.&nbsp;When preparing a patent application for a client, Bob emphasizes strategic planning and detailed drafting to strive for efficiency. He believes this approach is the best way to create real value for clients and their intellectual property portfolios.



“Design patents and trade dress rights are important tools for an integrated approach to protection. We look forward to Jim and Bob’s guidance, as we expand this specialized IP service for our clients,” added David Schmaltz, Minneapolis partner and co-chair of the firm’s Mechanical Practice Group.

Robert S. Sykes

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