Education

Law School/Year: Stanford Law School, 1996

College/Year: UCLA, 1992

Bar Admissions

California

Practice Areas

Corporate Business ; Intellectual Property; Patent, Trademark & Copyright; Technology

Major Cases

I have served as lead counsel on hundreds of technology transactions, such as licensing agreements, strategic alliances, development agreements, distribution agreements and joint ventures. My experience involves many of the key technology areas in San Diego: biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, hardware, wireless and electronic commerce industries. Sample transactions include representation of Eyespot Inc. in its video mixing platform deal for StarWars.com; establishing a licensing program for stem cell company, BioE Inc.; representation of Microsoft in a collaboration and joint marketing deal with Research in Motion related to RIM’s Blackberry service; and representation of GeneProt in a strategic alliance with Novartis Pharma AG to use proteomics technologies to discover novel therapeutics and biomarkers.

Professional Background

In 2006, I was part of the group that established the San Diego office of Mintz Levin, where I currently practice as a partner in the business transactions group. Prior to Mintz Levin, I was a partner in Fish & Richardson’s corporate group where I helped coordinate the firmwide licensing practice. I began my career at Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison, in its corporate group, where I headed Brobeck’s technology licensing practice in the San Diego office. I represent both start-up companies and established public companies. I am a frequent speaker on licensing topics, such as on patent licensing for WITI’s entrepreneur boot camp, university technology transfer for ACCA’s Boston division and biotechnology licensing for the Patent Resources Group.

Professional Affiliations

Member of the San Diego County Bar Association, Pan Asian Lawyer Association

Personal Background

Married to Kim Kurata; two sons, Carl (7) and Braden (1). I grew up in Los Angeles (Culver City) and Redlands, Calif. I seem to recall being active in sports at one time, especially soccer, tennis and volleyball. I spent a year in Japan studying economics and playing soccer for Osaka University.