MINNEAPOLIS – National law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is pleased to announce that intellectual property attorneys Jason R. Kraus and Brian W. Oberst have joined the firm as partners in the Minneapolis office.

Kraus partners with clients to design patent protection strategies, build international patent portfolios, and ensure products avoid infringing competitors' patents. He also works with clients to develop patent and trade secret enforcement strategies that leverage intellectual property to provide a competitive business advantage.

Oberst counsels clients on a range of intellectual property matters, including preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patents, performing product clearance analyses, intellectual property diligence for investors and strategics in M&A deals, and conducting patent infringement and invalidity investigations. Oberst has also represented clients in complex patent litigation, including trial and appellate practice in federal courts around the country.

“Both Jason and Brian bring years of experience to our intellectual property practice,” said Mark C. Dukes, who leads the group. “We welcome their skill sets and experience, particularly their work in the medical technology space, that will enhance our services to clients.”

“We are happy to add intellectual property as a new service in our Minneapolis office,” said Minneapolis Office Managing Partner Alana K. Bassin. “Jason and Brian are well known and respected in the legal and business communities, and we look forward to working with them.”

Nelson Mullins’ Intellectual Property Group represents clients from entrepreneurs to research institutions and established household names in a range of industries. The team includes attorneys registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; with technical degrees, including electrical engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, and mechanical engineering; who are former judicial clerks with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and former patent examiners; and who serve as adjunct intellectual property law professors at local law schools.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is an Am Law 100 firm of more than 930 attorneys and government relations professionals with offices in 15 states and Washington, D.C. For more information on the firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.