Monthly Archives: December 2022

Harrity & Harrity, LLP is excited to report that we have added 7 exceptional patent professionals to the team this year! Over the last 12 months, Harrity has welcomed Allison Howard, Derek Abeyta, Ryan Heavener, Nathan Gundlach, Nicholas A. Mihalic, Stephen Kontos, and Spencer Peterson to the firm. With six decades of combined experience amongst them across a variety of complex technologies, each hire is a valuable addition to the team. “Through our meticulous hiring process, we have added 7 outstanding patent superstars to our team! To say that we are excited to have them join us is an understatement.”, Managing Partner Paul Harrity says of the firm’s recent growth. Adding these individuals has increased our total percentage of diverse patent professionals to 41%. 

Allison Howard | Boulder, CO (Joined 5/31/2022) 

Allison Howard is a patent agent specializing in patent preparation and prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She utilizes her intellectual property experience to aid clients in obtaining protection of their intellectual property. Prior to joining Harrity & Harrity, Allison worked in private practice specializing in patent preparation and prosecution for a variety of technologies. Over the past years, Allison has volunteered as a math and science tutor for the I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County, assisting with English as a Second Language students. 

Learn more about Allison here. 

Derek Abeyta | Peoria, AZ (Joined 5/31/2022) 

Derek Abeyta is a patent attorney with considerable experience in preparing and prosecuting patent applications for clients, both in the United States and in foreign countries. Such patent applications relate to a variety of mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical fields, including telecommunications, extended reality systems, camera processing, power electronics, and more. His law practice has focused on patent preparation and prosecution, as well as patent infringement and validity counseling. Derek currently resides in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and kids and enjoys playing softball, exploring the outdoors, and listening to music.  

Learn more about Derek here. 

Ryan Heavener | Chester Springs, PA (Joined 8/15/2022) 

Ryan Heavener specializes in the preparation and the procurement of patent assets. He leverages his expertise to build formidable patent portfolios that are optimized with the unique business objectives of his clients. Ryan focuses on electrical, electromechanical, and mechanical arts. For over 3 years, Ryan worked in Germany as patent counsel for one of the world’s leading semiconductor companies. During his tenure, Ryan managed the procurement, development, and maintenance of the company’s vast patent portfolio through frequent interaction with engineers and outside counsel, while remaining budget conscious.  

Learn more about Ryan here. 

Nathan Gundlach | Clearfield, UT (Joined 8/15/2022) 

Nathan Gundlach is a registered patent agent with experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to memory technologies, wireless communications, home automation and security, encryption/decryption, machine learning, neural networks, and database management. Prior to joining Harrity & Harrity, Nathan worked for another firm where he handled preparation and prosecution matters for various clients and technologies, and as a graduate research assistant at the University of Utah. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys volunteering with the Utah Food Bank and other charity initiatives in his local community. 

Learn more about Nathan here. 

Nicholas Mihalic | Madison, OH (Joined 8/29/2022) 

Nick Mihalic is a patent attorney with considerable experience in client counseling and patent preparation and prosecution. With an advanced degree in electrical engineering, he excels at quickly comprehending complex inventions and converting them into high-quality patent applications. His practice focuses primarily on electrical, electromechanical, and computer technologies. Prior to joining Harrity, Nick worked for mid-size and small Intellectual Property boutique firms. He also served as general counsel for a Nevada-based corporation where he gained invaluable experience. 

Learn more about Nick here. 

Stephen Kontos | Royal Oak, MI (Joined 9/8/2022) 

Stephen Kontos is a patent attorney with experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications for a variety of technologies. Leveraging his electrical engineering background and experience as outside intellectual property counsel to some of the largest companies in the world, Stephen helps in-house IP teams strategically patent innovative technology. Stephen supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry, particularly with respect to the LGBTQ+ community. His services help in-house legal departments meet their supplier diversity goals. 

Learn more about Stephen here. 

Spencer Peterson | Boise, ID (Joined 9/30/2022) 

Spencer Peterson is a registered patent agent with experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in both the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions. He has drafted and prosecuted patents in the fields of volatile and non-volatile memory cell technologies, memory device processes and communications, wireless telecommunications, and semiconductor fabrication and design. In his spare time, Spencer enjoys spending time with his wife and kids (preferably outdoors), playing sports, reading, and watching documentaries. He also volunteers as a leader of a local youth group.  

Learn more about Spencer here.