Schwartz Law Firm, P.C. - Charlotte, NC

Jeff Schwartz concentrates his practice in the field of intellectual property law, providing patent, trademark and copyright legal services to individuals and businesses. Since 1993, Jeff has been licensed and registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He serves a wide variety of clients with a particular focus on the legal needs of business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors.

Jeff has prepared and filed more than 500 patent applications in a broad range of technologies including wireless Internet applications, computer software, ballistic resistant fibers and garments, vehicle wheel balancing, medical devices and systems, heavy-duty plastic bags, and machinery for cutting and grinding trees. Jeff's patent law services further include infringement and validity opinions, licensing and counseling.

In the area of trademark law, Jeff regularly advises businesses on the availability and proper use of trademarks for products and services, and serves to protect these trademarks through the federal registration process.

In the area of copyright law, Jeff represents several graphic artists, designers, and music performers.

Jeff also provides legal advice and counseling with respect to licensing and confidentiality agreements.

Representative Matters

• Assisted a small North Carolina company in developing a strategy for world-wide patent protection for an innovative medical device
• Helped a local inventor secure patent protection for candy toys which were successfully licensed to a large North Carolina corporation
• Developed an international patent portfolio for a small Internet business which was subsequently sold to a large multi-million dollar corporation in the banking and financing industry
• Filed patent applications in the U.S. and Canada for novel business method employed by large Southeastern freight transportation company
• Helped a local company secure patent and trademark protection for game feeder stands used in the hunting industry
• Worked with a large international corporation in the design and protection of heavy-duty plastic bags
• Assisted a music management company in the protection of artists' names and songs
• Helped develop a branding strategy for a North Carolina restaurant
• Maintains a sizable patent portfolio for a U.S.-based Italian corporation involved in the manufacture and sale of membrane presses used for laminating counter tops
• Counseled start-up software company with regard to patent, trademark, and copyright matters
• Assisted a California company in securing over a dozen patents for ballistic-resistant fabrics and garments in the U.S. and Europe.

Education and Prior Professional Experience

After graduating from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Jeff received a Juris Doctorate in 1992 from the University of South Carolina. Jeff is a licensed member of the Bars of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and the United States Federal Circuit. From 1992 through 2002, Jeff served as an associate, director and shareholder of the former Adams, Schwartz & Evans law firm in Charlotte, N.C.

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

Jeff is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association; the Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association; the Federal Circuit Bar Association; and the Mecklenburg County Bar Organization.

Jeff formerly served on the Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors and actively participates in various Bar committees, such as the Volunteer Lawyers Program ("VLP"). As a Chair and long-time committee member of the VLP, Jeff assisted in establishing the ProBono for Nonprofits program initiative aimed at matching the expertise of business lawyers in Mecklenburg County with charities engaged in local community development. He was selected to participate in the inaugural 2002 Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute, and chaired the Selection Committee for the 2004 class. Jeff is also Chair of the 26th Judicial Candidates Committee responsible for interviewing and evaluating candidates for admission to the North Carolina State Bar.

Jeff has been selected by his peers as one of North Carolina's LEGAL ELITE among intellectual property attorneys, and a North Carolina SUPER LAWYER in the field of intellectual property.

Business North Carolina magazine also surveys attorneys throughout the State to obtain their view on the State's best practitioners in designated areas of law; more than 16,000 attorneys receive ballots each year. Jeff is one of less than 3% of lawyers statewide to be chosen as a member of the LEGAL ELITE. He has received this recognition in the field of intellectual property for each of years 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Jeff lives in Charlotte, N.C. with his wife, Lisa-Leigh, and two children, Lea and Evan.