E. Eric Mills

Mills, E. Eric

Contact Information

P: 252.672.5428
F: 252.672.5477
eem@wardandsmith.com

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1001 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562
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Mailing Address:
 Post Office Box 867
New Bern, NC 28563-0867


Peer Rated AV

Practice Groups

Practice Concentrations

  • Intellectual Property Assessment, Counseling, and Portfolio Management
  • Patent Preparation and Prosecution (U.S. and Foreign) 
  • Patentability and Infringement Opinions 
  • Trademark Preparation and Prosecution (U.S. and Foreign) 
  • Trademark Registrability and Infringement Opinions

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Biography

Mr. Mills leads the Firm's Intellectual Property Transactional Practice Group and is a registered patent attorney focusing his practice on all areas of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.  A substantial portion of his practice involves the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and foreign jurisdictions, including an emphasis on Patent Cooperation Treaty and Madrid protocols.  His technology concentration covers a broad range including: medical devices, geotechnical systems, microfluidic devices, textiles, boat manufacturing and systems, home appliances, and general mechanical, electromechanical, and biomechanical technologies.  Mr. Mills additionally assists clients regarding patentability and patent infringement issues; counsels clients concerning the selection, use, and enforcement of trademarks; and represents clients in domain name disputes and other Internet issues.  He has extensive experience in strategic planning and management of client intellectual property portfolios, including acquisition, maintenance, and licensing of U.S. and foreign patent and trademark assets.  Mr. Mills has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his respective fields of law and is a licensed professional engineer.  He currently serves our nation as a Lieutenant Commander with the Legal Service Command of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

Admitted to Practice

  • North Carolina, 2001
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2001
  • All state courts in North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • United States Supreme Court

Honors and Distinction*

  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2012
  • "Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2004, 2006, 2008-2012

Education

  • J.D., The University of North Carolina School of Law, 2001. Co-Founder and Managing Editor, North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology; Recipient of ASCAP Nathan Burkan Copyright Competition Award
  • M.C.E., Civil Engineering (mechanical design), North Carolina State University, 1998
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, cum laude, North Carolina State University, 1993
  • B.S., Environmental Engineering, cum laude, North Carolina State University, 1993

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • American Bar Association — Section: Intellectual Property Law
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association — Section: Intellectual Property Law (vice chair, 2011-2012; treasurer, 2010-2011; secretary, 2009-2010; council member, 2003-2009; co-editor, IP Links, 2006-2008)

* Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; www.businessnc.com/legalelite; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.