Mark W. Hetzler '93

Mark W. Hetzler is the Managing Partner at Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery. Over the past 20+ years, Mark has earned a reputation for handling difficult and sophisticated intellectual property matters. Clients seek Mark's counsel on a wide range of IP matters, including Complex litigation IP portfolio development and management Complex post-grant proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Corporate IP and product development and clearance policies and programs Licensing programs Due diligence investigations Acquisition of start-ups by major enterprises IP acquisition and sales Government and technology transfer contracting "Buy American" requirements for government use or publicly funded projects Mark's clients are diverse. They are comprised of individuals—including renowned scientists—as well as investors, start-ups, market and industry leaders, and many businesses with household names. Mark not only works with many in-house counsel, but often acts as general counsel for a number of clients. Clients seek Mark's proven experience in building value in their intellectual property and protecting their IP portfolios. Over the years, for example, he has worked with clients at key, strategic stage gates, spotting high-stakes opportunities and potential problems and offering budget-minded recommendations and solutions. These individual, institutional, and corporate clients often rely on Mark's extensive understanding of government regulations. A registered patent attorney, Mark's technical background is in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydro-mechanical, controls technology, and manufacturing arts. His representative areas of work include advanced equipment monitoring systems, air handling systems, appliances, biomedical products and techniques, building materials, control systems, and electrostatic discharge systems. In addition, he has helped clients working with furniture and home furnishings, irrigation and water conservation systems, large-scale industrial mixing systems, cutting tools, material processing and handling equipment, road-building equipment, paper converting (forms, printing, and packaging technology), recreational products, security devices, textiles, vehicle systems and components, and wastewater treatment. Clients frequently turn to Mark to develop corporate IP policies and strategies. They recognize the time and dollar benefits of white-boarding with Mark's involvement, offering counsel for product development and clearance, management, strategies, and related training. Mark's transactional clients benefit as a result of his experience with litigation and dispute resolution. He has represented clients in various patent, copyright, trademark, unfair competition, trade dress, contract, and licensing disputes. He has successfully litigated cases before district courts throughout the country, as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and for the Seventh Circuit. Mark's dispute resolution efforts have resulted in numerous favorable results, including settlements, as well as successful trial results. He also has experience with complex post-grant proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office involving core patents for his clients.