ABOUT US

The Maine Patent Program is administered by the Center for Law and Innovation of the University of Maine School of Law . The program is staffed by a small team of professionals with backgrounds in law, university, and information technology.

• Center for Law and Innovation Director, Rita Heimes , is an attorney specializing in Internet law, e-commerce and intellectual property law; she is also an adjunct professor of Law at the University of Maine School of Law .
• Maine Patent Program Director, Leonard Agneta, is a clinical laboratory scientist and patent attorney with experience in technology transfer. He is primarily responsible for coordinating the efforts of students and professionals as they provide services to clients of the Program.
• Maine Patent Program Senior Patent Counsel, Willis “Woody” Higgins, is a patent attorney with over 35 years of experience that emphasizes electronics and software.
• Maine Patent Program Patent Advisor Thomas Maas is a registered Patent Agent specializing in research and development and intellectual property management.
• Administrative Manager, Nicole Vinal, supports both the Maine Patent Program and the Center for Law and Innovation. Ms. Vinal has over ten years experience in marketing, communications, project management and publishing.