Harness IP is pleased to announce that Paul R. Hoffer has joined the firm’s Metro Detroit office as Of Counsel. Paul most recently was principal in his own firm, Hoffer Law, where he provided trademark, brand protection and enforcement strategies to companies, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.

Paul’s practice focuses on managing and developing global trademark portfolios as well as prosecuting domestic and foreign trademark applications. He represents and manages matters before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and manages international litigation and trademark cancellation and opposition proceedings. He works with clients on corporate intellectual property (IP) guidelines, trademark clearance, new product designs, marketing campaigns, advertising and regulatory compliance, and IP licensing. 

Paul’s previous experience includes a position as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Small Business Administration. He also worked at firms in private practice as an IP attorney and as a litigator and criminal defense attorney. He began his career at H-D Michigan, Inc. (Harley-Davidson), where he gained experience in trademark filing strategies, brand protection, compliance, and litigation preparation. His experience also includes a clerkship for current Michigan Supreme Court Justice Hon. David F. Viviano while a judge in the Macomb County Circuit Court.

Paul earned his Juris Doctorate at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He is a native of Detroit.

Harness IP is celebrating more than 100 years as an intellectual property law firm. Founded in 1921, the firm currently holds a No. 2 ranking from IAM Media for providing counsel to 44 companies with the largest portfolios of issued U.S. patents. The firm also ranks No. 6 for filing the most patent applications on behalf of those companies. Harness IP’s attorneys and IP professionals focus exclusively on patents, trademarks, global IP management, litigation and other IP rights. The firm has offices in metropolitan Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Visit www.harnessip.com for more information.