Matthew D. Kendall

Matthew D. Kendall is a partner and registered patent attorney at Gardner, Linn, Burkhart & Ondersma LLP who helps clients protect, manage, and enforce intellectual property law rights in the United States and internationally. He focuses on patent and trademark procurement, intellectual property portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement strategies. Kendall represents businesses of all sizes, inventors, and international clients, helping them secure and maintain valuable intellectual property assets while supporting their long-term business goals.

Matthew earned his J.D. from Arizona State University – Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where he received a Certificate in Law, Science, and Technology with an emphasis in Intellectual Property Law and served as a senior editor of the Jurimetrics Journal of Law, Science and Technology. He also earned both his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. His legal and technical education enables him to understand complex inventions and provide practical guidance on patent and trademark matters.

Matthew worked as a Project Engineer with Goodrich Corporation in Phoenix, Arizona, where he focused on automotive and aerospace safety technologies before entering the legal profession. While completing his engineering studies, he also gained experience with Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation, concentrating on predictive modeling and vehicle safety systems. His engineering background strengthens his ability to work with sophisticated technologies and communicate effectively with inventors, engineers, and business leaders.

Matthew advises clients on intellectual property licensing, portfolio management, patentability opinions, trademark availability opinions, freedom-to-operate analyses, validity opinions, and intellectual property searches conducted in the United States and abroad. He also directs the filing and prosecution of patent and trademark applications in numerous countries and assists overseas clients with securing intellectual property protection in the United States.

Matthew D. Kendall previously served as Chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Intellectual Property Law Section and has consistently been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2012. He has also published articles in The Grand Rapids Lawyer magazine. His combination of engineering experience, international intellectual property knowledge, and strategic legal counsel allows him to provide comprehensive representation for clients seeking to protect and maximize the value of their intellectual property.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Gardner, Linn, Burkhart & Ondersma LLP
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Member, Mohawk Flying Club
• Member, University of Michigan Band Alumni Association

Licensed State

• Michigan

Education

• Arizona State University – Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Michigan
  MS & BS in Mechanical Engineering

Awards & Badges