Gardner, Linn, Burkhart & Ondersma, LLP - Grand Rapids, MI
Gardner, Linn, Burkhart and Ondersma, LLP is a premier intellectual property boutique law firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With over a century of collective legal and engineering experience, the firm delivers world-class patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright protection, and intellectual property litigation for regional startups, global corporations, and technological innovators.
Comprehensive Intellectual Property Counsel in Grand Rapids
In an increasingly competitive global economy, proprietary technology and brand identity represent a company's most critical assets. Protecting technological innovations requires legal advocates who not only grasp intricate patent statutes but also possess genuine technical and engineering acumen. Gardner, Linn, Burkhart and Ondersma, LLP provides dedicated intellectual property representation from its headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tracing its foundations back several decades, the firm has earned an international reputation for excellence, serving clients ranging from local entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 500 multinationals across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Every attorney at Gardner Linn holds technical degrees in fields such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or biochemistry, and each is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. When tech enterprises and inventors seek patent attorneys or trademark lawyers who can evaluate technical drawings and construct ironclad claims, Gardner Linn provides the sophisticated counsel needed to maintain a distinct competitive advantage.
Comprehensive Patent Procurement and Portfolio Strategy
The firm secures domestic and international patents across a diverse array of advanced industries, including robotics, medical devices, automotive technologies, software, and consumer products. Core patent services include:
- Patentability Searches and Clearance Opinions: Evaluating prior art and conducting right-to-use analyses to minimize infringement risks prior to product rollout.
- Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent Applications: Drafting robust utility and design patent specifications that establish broad, defensible claims.
- International Patent Protection: Managing global filings through the Patent Cooperation Treaty and collaborating with trusted foreign associates for national stage entries.
- Post-Grant Proceedings: Representing clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in inter partes reviews and reexamination proceedings.
Trademark Protection and Global Brand Enforcement
Distinctive branding builds customer trust and enterprise equity. Gardner Linn guides businesses through trademark clearance searches, United States Patent and Trademark Office applications, and global portfolio management under the Madrid Protocol. The firm also defends brands against dilution, handles Trademark Trial and Appeal Board oppositions, and resolves internet domain name disputes under ICANN procedures.
High-Stakes Intellectual Property Litigation
When intellectual property disputes cannot be resolved amicably, Gardner Linn provides assertive representation in federal district courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the International Trade Commission. The firm prosecutes and defends claims involving patent infringement, trademark counterfeiting, copyright infringement, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Technology Licensing and IP Commercialization
Monetizing inventions is fundamental to business expansion. The firm assists clients with drafting software licenses, joint venture agreements, non-disclosure contracts, and intellectual property transfer agreements, ensuring technological assets generate maximum economic value while shielding proprietary know-how.
Recognized Preeminence in Intellectual Property Law
Gardner, Linn, Burkhart and Ondersma, LLP holds the prestigious AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently ranked as a Tier-1 law firm by U.S. News and World Report for patent law and intellectual property litigation. Individual partners are consistently honored in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers.
Contact Gardner, Linn, Burkhart and Ondersma, LLP
Whether you need to hire an intellectual property lawyer to protect a new invention or require experienced trial counsel to enforce your patents, Gardner, Linn, Burkhart and Ondersma, LLP is prepared to assist. Contact our Grand Rapids office on Charlevoix Drive today to discuss your technological assets with our team.
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in the quiet and beautifully landscaped Centennial Office Park in Cascade Township, a major suburb southeast of Grand Rapids.
Building Location
This professionally managed three-story office building, known as Cook Plaza, features beautifully renovated common areas and is situated on Charlevoix Drive SE.
Parking Details
A spacious paved surface parking lot surrounding Cook Plaza provides ample free parking spaces for visitors and clients.
Public Transit
Served by The Rapid Route 27 (Loop); nearest stop is at Charlevoix Drive SE.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the main lobby entrance of Cook Plaza. Take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor, where you will find the firm's offices in Suite 300.