Patents and trademarks were the focus of guest speaker Juan J. Lizarraga who addressed students in Mr. Kenny Lannes’ engineering classes. The engineer and attorney brought a unique perspective on the subject with this talk, “The ‘Arcane Art’ of Patents for Engineering Professionals.”

Mr. Lizarraga is partner at the New Orleans law firm of Milling, Benson, Woodward L.L.P, and Chair of the Intellectual Law Department. He also is a registered professional engineer in Louisiana and a registered patent attorney admitted to practice in Louisiana and Texas, as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has served as Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Committee of the New Orleans Bar Association, and is past Chairman of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. Among his numerous professional memberships are the American Intellectual Property Law Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

Mr. Lizarraga is also Mr. Lannes’ patent attorney. Last year, Mr. Lannes received his third patent. 

“This type of first-hand experience gives our students exposure to all aspects of the patent process that includes submission, rejection, responses, and approval,” said  Mr. Lannes.