Dr. Terry Finerman prepares and prosecutes patent applications, primarily in materials science, polymers science, chemistry, and related fields, and assists on other intellectual property research matters. Terry’s extensive background in technology management and research allows him to understand the value proposition of patents and how to determine the broadest possible protection for such important investments. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate that Terry is highly technically oriented and can discuss even the most complex inventions in detail.
Terry is undeniably at his best when learning about new and sophisticated technological advancements and convincing examiners to grant his clients’ patents. Because many examiners are engineers, Terry can establish immediate rapport, particularly because he anticipates how examiners will view a client’s patent application at the onset of the process. Because Terry finds a way to adjust his argument or claim so examiner objections no longer apply, he is among the firm’s most efficient patent prosecution attorneys.
Before the law, Terry earned decades of industrial research and management experience at Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P., (a division of ExxonMobil Chemical Company) in Akron, Ohio, L&L Products in Romeo, Michigan, and MSI Technology in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has more than fourteen U.S. patents and patent applications and over fifty international patents and patent applications already under his belt, primarily in the fields of thermoplastic elastomers, composite structures, weldable polymeric compositions, structural adhesives, and sealant materials. After joining The Dobrusin Law Firm in 2006 as a Staff Scientist, Terry then became a Registered Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Having worked in-house for many years, Terry consistently delivers the technological fluency and business perspective needed to be a better patent lawyer. He knows, from hands-on experience, how research is funded, the importance of designing new products that have proprietary technology, and the criticality of keeping up with competitors and ensuring they do not encroach on a client’s patented assets. In fact, Terry established a patent position so comprehensive for one of his clients that it keeps their competitors out of that specific market today.
Terry graduated from Northwestern University in 1990 with a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and polymer science as his dissertation field. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University in 1983. Terry’s academic background includes coursework and research in metallurgy, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers, computer programming, statistics, biology, physics, and chemistry.