Michael L. Clerkin
Partner

Education:
▪ The John Marshall Law School
   Chicago, Illinois, 1999
   LLM, Information Technology Law
▪ Marquette University Law School
   Milwaukee, WI, 1998, J.D.
▪ Marquette University, 1995, B.A.

Bar Admission:
▪ Wisconsin, 1998
▪ US District Court
   Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1998
▪ US District Court
   Northern District of Illinois, 1999
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"He who decides a case without hearing the other side, though he decide justly, cannot be considered just."
​~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

​Michael focuses his practice on trademark, copyright, unfair competition, trade secret matters, as well as on licensing agreements, including patent, software and Internet-related agreements, litigation and entertainment law. In addition, Michael has extensive experience in all aspects of general business and non-profit law.

Prior to co-founding Clerkin, Sinclair & Mahfouz LLP, Michael was General Counsel for the University of Delaware and UD Technology Corporation, a support entity of the University of Delaware, where he oversaw all intellectual property matters, including protection, licensing, and litigation. Michael also worked closely with start-up companies from the formation to funding stages.

Prior to the University of Delaware and UD Technology Corporation, Michael was an associate in the Chicago law firm of Weaver & Amin where he focused on trademark and copyright protection and intellectual property litigation. 

Michael currently sits on several non-profit Board of Directors.