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Christian Hansen is a Partner and experienced IP attorney within Merchant &amp; Gould’s Minneapolis, MN office. Christian is dedicated to developing the best possible patent protection and enforcement strategies for both domestic and international clients.&nbsp;

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<p class="wp-block-contentpilot-introduction">Christian Hansen is a Partner and experienced IP attorney within Merchant &amp; Gould’s Minneapolis, MN office. Christian is dedicated to developing the best possible patent protection and enforcement strategies for both domestic and international clients.&nbsp;</p>

Accomplished in Patent Law and IP Protection

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<h2>Accomplished in Patent Law and IP Protection</h2>

Christian has been a patent law and intellectual property attorney for over 10 years. Throughout his vast experience, he has helped hundreds of clients all over the globe protect their technological innovations and ideas in niches such as:

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<p>Christian has been a patent law and intellectual property attorney for over 10 years. Throughout his vast experience, he has helped hundreds of clients all over the globe protect their technological innovations and ideas in niches such as:</p>

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Computer software and mobile device applications

<li>Computer software and mobile device applications</li>

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<ul><li>Manufacturing technology</li><li>Consumer products</li><li>Aerospace technology</li><li>Material science applications</li><li>Computer software and mobile device applications</li><li>Medical devices</li><li>Metallurgy production</li><li>Electric vehicles</li><li>Agricultural devices</li></ul>

Christian engages in a wide range of actions to protect the IP of his clients, including drafting and preparing patent applications, following up with the USPTO, and negotiating licensing agreements to monetize patent applications.&nbsp;

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In a village of La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long since one of those gentlemen that keep a lance in the lance-rack, an old buckler, a lean hack, and a greyhound for coursing.

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<p>Christian engages in a wide range of actions to protect the IP of his clients, including drafting and preparing patent applications, following up with the USPTO, and negotiating licensing agreements to monetize patent applications.&nbsp;</p>

He also provides client counsel, including freedom-to-operate, clearance and non-infringement opinions.

<p>He also provides client counsel, including freedom-to-operate, clearance and non-infringement opinions.</p>

Whether he’s supporting a large corporation or a smaller startup, Christian is devoted to providing his clients with the best course of action available. He meets extensively with inventors to learn about their technologies and uses his extensive business knowledge to distill complex law concepts into understandable language for his clients.

<p>Whether he’s supporting a large corporation or a smaller startup, Christian is devoted to providing his clients with the best course of action available. He meets extensively with inventors to learn about their technologies and uses his extensive business knowledge to distill complex law concepts into understandable language for his clients.</p>

Dedicated to Providing Trusted Counsel &amp; Customized Strategy

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dedicated to Providing Trusted Counsel &amp; Customized Strategy</h2>


<h2>Dedicated to Providing Trusted Counsel &amp; Customized Strategy</h2>

Christian focuses on providing long-term strategy and protection for his clients. When learning about their IP and business goals, Christian coordinates his efforts to create a comprehensive roadmap on their behalf.

<p>Christian focuses on providing long-term strategy and protection for his clients. When learning about their IP and business goals, Christian coordinates his efforts to create a comprehensive roadmap on their behalf.</p>

He walks his clients through each step and helps them anticipate potential actions from the USPTO. Planning for the future and being pragmatic allows him to counsel clients on the best possible protection strategy.&nbsp;

<p>He walks his clients through each step and helps them anticipate potential actions from the USPTO. Planning for the future and being pragmatic allows him to counsel clients on the best possible protection strategy.&nbsp;</p>

Christian is guided by his desire to see others succeed. He spends considerable time meeting with clients to educate them about how patent law applies to their situation, how to negotiate, and whether claims must be narrowed.

<p>Christian is guided by his desire to see others succeed. He spends considerable time meeting with clients to educate them about how patent law applies to their situation, how to negotiate, and whether claims must be narrowed.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From US Navy Aviator to Attorney</h2>


<h2>From US Navy Aviator to Attorney</h2>

Throughout his life, Christian has been dedicated to serving others. Before becoming an attorney, he served as an Aviator and Chief Flight Instructor in the US Navy. During his ten years of service, Christian commanded aircraft, trained other pilots, and flew fixed-wing aircraft for mission support.&nbsp;

<p>Throughout his life, Christian has been dedicated to serving others. Before becoming an attorney, he served as an Aviator and Chief Flight Instructor in the US Navy. During his ten years of service, Christian commanded aircraft, trained other pilots, and flew fixed-wing aircraft for mission support.&nbsp;</p>

Most notably, he saved the lives of six individuals on six different occasions on the Island of Guam, including a fellow service member.&nbsp;

<p>Most notably, he saved the lives of six individuals on six different occasions on the Island of Guam, including a fellow service member.&nbsp;</p>

Christian joined the US Navy after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. However, he always intended to pursue the law. After his time in the service, he earned his JD from the William Mitchell College of Law, magna cum laude.

<p>Christian joined the US Navy after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. However, he always intended to pursue the law. After his time in the service, he earned his JD from the William Mitchell College of Law, magna cum laude.</p>

In his spare time, Christian loves to camp, hike and spend time with his family. He’s also a self-taught craftsman and does many repair and renovation projects with his wife around their home, including the refinishing of a grand piano and installing new wood floors.

<p>In his spare time, Christian loves to camp, hike and spend time with his family. He’s also a self-taught craftsman and does many repair and renovation projects with his wife around their home, including the refinishing of a grand piano and installing new wood floors.</p>

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<section class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more"><div class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__excerpt is-visible" data-selector="expand-more"><p></p></div><div class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__full-content" data-selector="expand-more"><p>Christian engages in a wide range of actions to protect the IP of his clients, including drafting and preparing patent applications, following up with the USPTO, and negotiating licensing agreements to monetize patent applications.&nbsp;</p><p>He also provides client counsel, including freedom-to-operate, clearance and non-infringement opinions.</p><p>Whether he’s supporting a large corporation or a smaller startup, Christian is devoted to providing his clients with the best course of action available. He meets extensively with inventors to learn about their technologies and uses his extensive business knowledge to distill complex law concepts into understandable language for his clients.</p><h2>Dedicated to Providing Trusted Counsel &amp; Customized Strategy</h2><p>Christian focuses on providing long-term strategy and protection for his clients. When learning about their IP and business goals, Christian coordinates his efforts to create a comprehensive roadmap on their behalf.</p><p>He walks his clients through each step and helps them anticipate potential actions from the USPTO. Planning for the future and being pragmatic allows him to counsel clients on the best possible protection strategy.&nbsp;</p><p>Christian is guided by his desire to see others succeed. He spends considerable time meeting with clients to educate them about how patent law applies to their situation, how to negotiate, and whether claims must be narrowed.</p><h2>From US Navy Aviator to Attorney</h2><p>Throughout his life, Christian has been dedicated to serving others. Before becoming an attorney, he served as an Aviator and Chief Flight Instructor in the US Navy. During his ten years of service, Christian commanded aircraft, trained other pilots, and flew fixed-wing aircraft for mission support.&nbsp;</p><p>Most notably, he saved the lives of six individuals on six different occasions on the Island of Guam, including a fellow service member.&nbsp;</p><p>Christian joined the US Navy after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. However, he always intended to pursue the law. After his time in the service, he earned his JD from the William Mitchell College of Law, magna cum laude.</p><p>In his spare time, Christian loves to camp, hike and spend time with his family. He’s also a self-taught craftsman and does many repair and renovation projects with his wife around their home, including the refinishing of a grand piano and installing new wood floors.</p></div><button class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__more-button is-visible" data-selector="expand-more">Show More</button><button class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__less-button" data-selector="expand-more">Show Less</button></section>

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 

University of Minnesota, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Automotive & Powersports

Building Systems & Construction

Computer Technology

Consumer Products

Electronics

Manufacturing

Medical Devices

Shooting Sports

Telecommunications

Transportation

Minneapolis


<p class="wp-block-contentpilot-introduction">Merchant & Gould is pleased to have welcomed one partner and two associates to its Minneapolis team: Christian J. Hansen, partner; Heather S. Chatterton, associate; and Ariel O. Howe, associate.</p>



<p>“These three attorneys bring IP experience in growing industries for Minnesota, adding depth to our practice groups and helping local and global innovators protect their brands and technologies. They are excellent additions to our firm and leaders in the IP community,” said Christopher J. Leonard, Managing Director and CEO of Merchant & Gould.</p>



<p><a href="/people/christian-j-hansen/">Christian</a>, partner and experienced IP attorney, provides enforcement strategies and patent protection for both domestic and international clients. For more than 10 years, he has helped a range of large corporations and small startups with their technological innovations and ideas in some of the following industries: manufacturing, consumer products, aerospace, computer software, medical devices, electrical vehicles, agriculture, and metallurgy. Christian focuses on drafting and preparing patent applications; following up with the USPTO; and negotiating licensing agreements to monetize patent applications. He also provides client counsel, including freedom-to-operate, clearance, and non-infringement opinions.  Christian received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. <em>magna cum laude</em> from the William Mitchell College of Law.</p>



<p><a href="/people/heather-s-chatterton/">Heather</a>, associate, supports inventors and companies through patent prosecution. She began her career as a patent agent; and, now, as an attorney applying that experience, develops patent strategies and defending patents before the USPTO. Heather works with clients in a wide range of industries, including software, mechanics, medical device, and biotech. She received three degrees from the University of Minnesota, including a B.S. in <em>genetics, cell biology, and development; an M.S. in</em> patent law; and a J.D. from the Law School.</p>



<p><a href="/people/ariel-o-howe/">Ariel</a>, associate, helps companies protect their intellectual property through strategy and litigation. Her practice includes utility and design patents, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation, as well as pre-litigation support. Ariel has enforced and defended many industries, including medical device, pharmaceutical, HVAC, and farming equipment. She earned her B.S. in chemistry from Minnesota State University and her J.D. <em>magna cum laude</em> from the William Mitchell College of Law.</p>


Merchant & Gould Welcomes One Partner and Two Associates in Minneapolis Office

Mechanical

Licensing

Design Patent & Trade Dress

Melissa Ziegler

Partner

<p>Handles patent preparation and prosecution of clients in the aerospace, agricultural, nonmedical device, mechanical, oil and gas, and robotics industries. Routinely conducts prior art reviews, drafts freedom to operate and product clearance opinions and prepares license agreements.</p>
<p>Assists companies, both large and small, as they navigate the often crowded IP landscape in order to establish a position that aligns with their business objectives. Has worked with several startup companies, whose success in raising capital for future growth was supported by their strong IP portfolios.</p>
<p>Drafted, filed and successfully prosecuted well over 350 utility and design patents on a wide variety of technologies. He routinely assists his clients in obtaining international IP protection in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, countries within the European patent convention, India, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Russia, and Singapore, as well as within South America.</p>
