ERIC CARR
Eric is an intellectual property attorney, managing the firm’s licensing and litigation practice. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, and Juris Doctor (Intellectual Property) from Southern Methodist University. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and has been admitted to the State Bar of Texas, State Bar of California, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as various U.S. District Courts.
Prior to starting Patent Beach PC, he was the Managing Litigation Attorney at Gazdzinski & Associates, PC and an IP Litigation Associate with Collins Edmonds & Schlather PLLC in Houston, TX. He was also the Technology Director & Editor for the SMU Science & Technology Law Review, President of the SMU Intellectual Property Organization, and a member of the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn American Inn of Court.
DEREK MIDKIFF
Derek is an intellectual property attorney and President of the firm. He has a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University, with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Krannert School of Management, and Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, with a Certificate in Intellectual Property and Law. Additionally, he is admitted to the State Bar of California, and is registered to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
While attending law school, Derek was a fellow with the Thomas Jefferson Intellectual Property Fellowship and the President of the Intellectual Property Law Association. Prior to starting Patent Beach PC, Derek worked as a patent attorney at Gazdzinski & Associates, PC, as a patent agent at Eastman & McCartney PC, and as a patent attorney at MU Patents, all located in San Diego, California.
CECILIA G. STONE
Cecilia is a Billing and Administrative Specialist at Patent Beach PC. She manages time entries for attorneys and paralegals, client invoice preparation and processing including client billing portal management, accounts payable and receivable, collections and other administrative functions of the Firm.
She has more than 15 years of experience in office administration, including in the construction industry assisting with all aspects of project management including scheduling, estimating projects, ordering job site equipment and materials, billing projects at all stages, and permits.
CARRIE DECORO
Carrie is a U.S. and International Patent Paralegal and Lead Paralegal at Patent Beach PC. Prior to joining the Firm, Carrie was employed by Gazdzinski & Associates, PC for nearly 20 years. She performs a variety of tasks including domestic and international patent prosecution, client support, and office management and administration. Carrie has more than 20 years of patent prosecution experience, and more than 12 years of civil litigation experience relating to various areas including construction defect, real estate acquisitions and insurance defense. She is experienced in litigation support and docketing, discovery requests and responses, and filing of all USPTO and court papers, as well as corporate filings.
Carrie has an Associate of Legal Science (Paralegal Studies), and is a certified paralegal.