Michael Cukor

After graduating Rutgers College with a degree in Economics/Statistics, Michael attended Rutgers University School of Law while working as a full-time programmer at Boston Scientific Corp. and a programmer and graphic designer at Roche Molecular Systems. Working with PCR new product development at Roche and the stent development teams at BSC gave Michael a unique comprehension of innovation and production as he learned how to navigate the production market.

During the software boom of the late '90s, Michael brought his creativity and technological background to law, working exclusively on copyright litigation, software development, licensing and implementation agreements. As a result of his understanding of the practical use of technology, and affinity for conflict resolution, Michael became an intellectual property litigation associate at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. Michael worked in both the firm’s Philadelphia and New York offices, focusing his practice on trademark prosecution and litigation and represented consumer brand companies and record labels with their trademark and copyright disputes. Michael’s successful litigation experiences resulted in an increased focus on litigation and a transition to patent litigation at Pillsbury Winthrop’s Northern Virginia office. As a senior associate at Pillsbury Winthrop, Michael directed small teams responsible for discovery issues, depositions, summary judgment motions, Markman hearings and trial preparation.

In 2004, Michael joined Gibbons PC and became a Director of the firm’s NY intellectual property department dividing his time between patent litigation and copyright and trademark enforcement while also serving as the attorney in charge of the firm’s Information Technology, Knowledge Management and Litigation Support groups. Michael also invented an IP Topography tool for generating interactive graphical representations of different sectors of the intellectual property market.

For approximately ten years, Michael ran his own patent, copyright and trademark cases and developed a successful alternative fee litigation practice. Michael has lead counsel experience in Federal Courts across the country including the District of New Jersey, Northern District of California, the Eastern District of Texas and the District of Delaware. Michael also ran the brand protection litigation for several well-known luxury and consumer goods companies.

Michael's experience allows him to bring the highest quality legal services to matters that do not warrant the economic and time burdens associated with  large law firms.