CSUN University News Clippings

Biology alum Danielle Criona has joined property law firm

(December 3, 2008)

PASADENA, Calif. & NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Christie, Parker & Hale LLP, one of Southern California’s leading intellectual property law firms, today announced that six attorneys have joined the firm. Associates David W. Klinger, Dr. Bruce A. Wagar and Dr. George T. Wu are based in Pasadena, and Danielle Criona, Daniel L. Essig and Joseph J. Mellema practice in the firm’s Newport Beach office.

Managing Partner Gregory Lampert said: “It is with great pleasure that we announce six new associates have joined Christie, Parker & Hale. They are all outstanding legal minds and skilled practitioners – some with doctoral degrees and others with many years of technical experience in the corporate sector. On behalf of my colleagues, I welcome them all.”

Danielle Criona specializes in patent, copyright and trademark litigation matters. She was admitted to the California Bar in 1999. She serves on the boards of Loyola Law School and the Children’s Music Fund. She is a member of the American and Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Associations, the Los Angeles Bar Association and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola Marymount University and a master’s degree in biology from California State University, Northridge. She received her J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Daniel Essig specializes in patents in the electrical, electronic and software fields. He has invented and received seven patents in the area of data processing. His career includes nearly 20 years in engineering and design positions at semiconductor companies such as Texas Instruments, Honeywell, Analog Devices, Visual Information Technologies and Conexant. Essig is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Essig graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, and did graduate work at the University of Houston and Boston University. He received his J.D. from California Western School of Law, San Diego. He was admitted to the California Bar in 2007.

David W. Klinger specializes in patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. He graduated from Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Ga., with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Klinger earned his J.D. this year from Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, Arizona State University. He passed the California Bar this year, as well. In law school, Klinger received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in civil procedure and patent law.

Joseph Mellema specializes in patent and trademark prosecution, as well as litigation. Prior to attending law school, he was a systems engineer at Raytheon Systems Co. He is a member of the American and Los Angeles County Bar Associations and the Intellectual Property Law Association. He holds bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and in physical sciences from Biola University, Los Angeles. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School and was admitted to the California Bar in 2007.

Bruce Wagar specializes in patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. His experience includes 15 years at IBM Corp. as a software engineer, where he designed data processing software and high-end computer systems. There, he was issued one patent and has four patents pending. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematical science at State University of New York and a doctorate in computer science and engineering from the University of Michigan. He holds his J.D. degree from Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, Arizona State University. He passed the California Bar in 2008.

George Wu’s experience includes domestic and foreign patent prosecution, transactional matters and patent-litigation support, with emphasis in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He has been involved in prosecution of patents regarding stem cells, chemical phosphors, biomedical and surgical devices, and obesity and cancer treatments. Wu holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology from Stanford University, and a doctorate in molecular biology from Cornell University. He earned his J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law.

About Christie, Parker & Hale

Christie, Parker & Hale is a leading intellectual property law firm operating at the crossroads of science, technology and the law. Engaged exclusively in all aspects of intellectual property law, most of the firm’s attorneys hold degrees in engineering or the sciences, bringing added value and perspective to client service. Drawing on a 54-year heritage, the firm continues to propel innovation and stimulate business growth by protecting its clients’ most valuable assets – intellectual property.

Publication: Business Wire