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Lewis Rice, St. Louis
With a degree in physics and licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for more than 20 years, Kirk Damman specializes in patent prosecution in the areas of electronics, consumer products, heavy industry, computers, medical devices and alternative energy, trademark prosecution, copyright and entertainment issues. His practice covers all areas of intellectual property law, with an emphasis on helping startup and growing companies manage, license and gain value from their intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets), as well as obtain protection for their most important ideas and products.
In addition, Damman is a professor of patent law in the USPTO’s Ongoing Examiner Education Program. For Webster University, he serves as an adjunct professor of patent law and patent drafting.
As an inventor, Damman holds five U.S. Patents. He is also a co-founder of Preemie Pacer, which is working to bring to market a baby bottle specifically designed to meet the needs of (generally premature) babies that have not mastered the suck/swallow/breathe routine necessary for them to consume safely on their own.
Damman has co-authored two books on patent law and is a mentor for local startups with Gateway Volunteer Mentoring Service. He also works with startups on issues related to crowdfunding campaigns and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
“A Lawyer’s Guide to the Galaxy Podcast,” co-hosted by Damman, was named one of the best copyright law podcasts for 2021 by Welp Magazine. The podcast discusses the many ways in which “geek culture collides with the law,” including copyright law.
Damman’s professional memberships include the board of directors for USPTO’s Pro Bono Advisory Council; American Intellectual Property Law Association; Industrial Design Society of America; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Committee.
Serving his local community, Damman chairs the Business Retention and Expansion Committee of the Saint Louis Economic Development Partnership.
Damman earned his law degree from Harvard University School of Law in 1999.
