Michael J. Kline

About Michael J. Kline

As the Director of Legal for Dunlop Sports Americas, I oversee or personally execute duties related to Legal and Compliance for the Company. I endeavor to ensure delivery of high-quality legal services, whether performed in-house or outsourced. Working closely with legal staff, the board of directors, and company executives, I provide strategic/though leadership intended to drive pragmatic solutions to legal challenges. Day to day work includes providing legal advice, interpretation, and guidance to senior management and officers regarding contracts, state/federal regulatory requirements, intellectual property, and other business matters. In this role, I also supervise and/or interface with department employees and manage legal affairs and legal budgets, working with outside lawyers as needed. As the Company\'s most senior legal representative, I provide independent judgement and counseling regarding legal risks, anticipate potential legal issues, develop risk mitigation strategies, and establish policies and procedures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Specialties: I have had great success and extensive experience mediating IP litigation matters to prompt and inexpensive resolutions that exceed my clients\' expectations. Over the years, one of my specialties is in the area of product configuration trade dress and the overlap between patent and trademark law.I was honored in 2013 to be listed as an \"IP Star\" by Managing Intellectual Property magazine.

Experience

1. Board Member

   We Are Golf

   Sep 2014 — Present · St. Augustine, FL, US

   We Are Golf is a coalition of golf\'s leading organizations working together to communicate the game\'s economic, charitable, environmental, and fitness benefits to Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. I am honored to serve on its Board of We Are Golf, and on its Government Affairs Committee in my capacity as Director of Intellectual Property and Corporate Secretary at Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. d/b/a/ Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO, and a member of the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Council. I plan to participate in National Golf Day on April 25, 2017, as I did last year, meeting with U.S. Senators, Congressman, and their staff, to advocate for new laws and changes to existing laws and regulations.

Education

• University of Pittsburgh School of Law

  J. D.

• Penn State University

  B. S.

Skills

• Copyright Law
• Patent Litigation
• Licensing Agreements
• Licensing
• Litigation Management
• Patents
• Intellectual Property
• Intellectual Property Strategy
• Joint Ventures
• Trademarks
• Corporate Law
• Mediation
• Trademark Infringement
• Legal Research
• Patent Portfolio Management
• Mergers
• Mergers
• Trade Secrets
• Litigation
• Patent Prosecution
• Prosecution