Professionals
Practice Areas
- Additive Manufacturing Practice
- Chemical and Material Sciences Practice
- Complex Commercial and Business Litigation
- Consumer Products Practice
- Copyright
- Copyright Litigation
- Derivation Proceedings
- Design Patents Practice
- Due Diligence in IP Acquisitions
- Ex Parte Reexaminations
- Foreign & PCT Patent Filing
- General Litigation
- Inter Partes Review
- International
- Invalidity Opinions
- IP Transactional
- Licensing
- Litigation
- Non-infringement Opinions
- Opinions
- Patent Landscaping and Risk Analysis
- Patent Litigation
- Patent Reissue
- Patentability Opinions
- Patents
- Pharmaceutical Litigation
- Pharmaceutical Practice
- Post Grant Practice
- Post-Grant Review
- Product Clearance
- Right to Practice Opinions
- Strategic IP Portfolio Development and Management
- Technology Transfer
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Trademark and Copyright Litigation
- Trademark and Copyright Practice
- Trademark Litigation
- Trademarks and Trade Dress
- Transfers, Mergers, Acquisitions, Bankruptcies and Securitizations
- Unfair Competition and False Advertising
- Unfair Competition and False Advertising Litigation
- Utility, Design, and Plant Patent Filing with the USPTO
Technologies
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Energy
- Environmental Engineering
- Food Science
- Metallurgy & Ceramics
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer & Materials Science
Honors
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers 2025
- Best Lawyers, 2016-2025
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
- WIPR Leaders, Patents & Trademarks
- IP Stars, Managing IP, Connecticut, USA, 2013-2024
- Who's Who of Trademark Lawyers, 2013-2019
- Who's Who Legal: Patents, 2018-2020
- Connecticut Bar Foundation - James W. Cooper Life Fellow
- Founding Fellow, Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Hall of Fame, University of Connecticut
- "Super Lawyers," Intellectual Property, Connecticut, 2007- 2009, 2017-2022
Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 1984
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 1984
- State of Connecticut, 1983
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1983
Education
University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 1983
University of Connecticut, B.S., Chemical Engineering/Materials Engineering, with honors, 1980
Teaching Positions
- University of Connecticut School of Law, Adjunct Professor in Patent Law and Procedure
Michael Cantor is Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn LLP, one of the largest and most productive full-service intellectual property (IP) law firms in the country. Michael has overseen the exponential growth of Cantor Colburn from small patent law firm to the full-service IP powerhouse that the Firm is today. Clients include multinational corporations, Fortune 100 companies, mid-size companies, high tech start-ups, universities, and government research institutes based in the U.S. and worldwide. Michael has represented companies in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical device, energy, consumer products, entertainment, and many more.
Michael is frequently invited to speak on IP, innovation, the law, and economic development. He is active in associations such as the International Trademark Association (INTA), the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), and the Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI).
Michael is also active in supporting economic development and innovation. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Innovations, the quasi-public agency charged with growing Connecticut’s economy by making strategic capital and other investments that encourage the development of high-tech industries within the state. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History and a member of the Board of Directors for the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
Michael is an active alumnus of University of Connecticut School of Law, where he taught Patent Law as an Adjunct Professor for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Advisory Boards of the University of Connecticut School of Law and School of Engineering.
Experience Highlights
Co-Managing Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP, 1983-present
News
Cantor Colburn has been named a Tier 1 firm in Hartford for Patent Law, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Litigation - Patent, and Litigation - Intellectual Property Practice in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®.
- Super Lawyers
Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce that Partners Michael Cantor, Nancy Kennedy, Todd Garabedian, and Steve Coyle are 2024 Super Lawyers and Ali Caless is a Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Only 5% of attorneys are selected to be Super Lawyers; only 2.5% of attorneys are selected to be Rising Stars.
- September 25, 2024
Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn Michael Cantor is interviewed in “Innovation in Connecticut,” a new feature documentary from UConn’s Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “Innovation in Connecticut” will premiere Sept. 25, 2024, on Connecticut public television and will be available to stream online. Watch the trailer here.
- Best Lawyers
Cantor Colburn is proud to announce that the following attorneys are recognized as 2025 Best Lawyers: Christopher C. Boehm, David Bomzer, Alison Caless, Michael A. Cantor, Michelle P. Ciotola, Philmore H. Colburn II, Steven M. Coyle, Nicholas A. Geiger, Charles F. O'Brien, Roberta L. Pelletier, Leah M. Reimer, Ph.D., David E. Rodrigues, Ph.D., Michael J. Rye, Bryan D. Zerhusen, Ph.D., Susan M. Zerull. Michael Cantor is a Best Lawyer Lawyer of the Year.
- June 28, 2024
Managing Intellectual Property has recognized seven Cantor Colburn attorneys in its 2024 IP Stars guide, which brings together the world’s foremost law firm and corporate intellectual property experts, allowing the wider community to benefit from their insight, experience and perspectives.
Cantor Colburn LLP, one of the largest full-service intellectual property law firms in the country, is pleased to announce that Partners Michael Cantor and Todd Garabedian are 2023 Super Lawyers and Ali Caless is a Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Only 5% of attorneys are selected to be Super Lawyers; only 2.5% of attorneys are selected to be Rising Stars.
- August 17, 2023
Cantor Colburn is proud to announce that the following attorneys are recognized as 2024 Best Lawyers: Michael Cantor, Michelle Ciotola, Phil Colburn, Steve Coyle, Todd Garabedian, Ph.D., David Rodrigues, Ph.D., Mike Rye, and Susan Zerull. Ali Caless is Best Lawyers: One to Watch.
- April 16, 2023
Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partners Michael Cantor and Philmore Colburn and Partners Todd Garabedian, Anne Maxwell, David Fox, Leah Reimer, and Karl Vick are 2023 Patent Stars, from Managing Intellectual Property.
Cantor Colburn is proud to support The Future Climate Venture Studio, which brings together UConn, a national and global leader in interdisciplinary climate research; R/GA Ventures, a venture studio operator and early-stage investor; CT Next, Connecticut’s innovation agency; and additional partners from energy finance, venture capital, and technology. The Studio’s mission is to identify, support, and collaborate with the startups addressing the most critical dimensions of the climate challenge, including decarbonization, alternative energy, planetary resilience, social impact, and more.
- September 10, 2022
Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, and Daniel Drexler will attend the AIPPI World Congress 2022 takes place September 10-13, 2022 in San Francisco.
- April 7, 2022
Cantor Colburn’s Women’s Initiative hosted the Hartford Area AIPLA Women in IP Global Networking Event on April 7, 2022 at Parkville Market in Hartford.
- February 15, 2022
Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn LLP and Chair of Connecticut Innovations, will accompany Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and other public and private sector leaders on a trip to Israel. The weeklong trip from February 17-25, 2022 will focus on strengthening Connecticut's connections to members of Israel’s innovation ecosystem, including venture capitalists, incubators, accelerators, and thought leaders.
- Hartford Business JournalSeptember 6, 2021
"Hartford area law firms seek more investment in technology, less on office space," by Stephen MacLeod, published by the Hartford Business Journal, September 6, 2021, discusses law firms' plans for office space in the future. Michael Cantor is interviewed.
Cantor Colburn LLP, the #3 firm for patents in the United States, is proud to have been awarded a ten-year, multimillion-dollar contract with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world, to provide patent legal services in chemistry.
- Hartford Business JournalNovember 16, 2020
Cantor Colburn LLP Co-Managing Partner and Connecticut Innovations Chair Michael Cantor is quoted in the November 16, 2020 The Hartford Business Journal article, Five years in, Hartford's start up scene grows but is still in early stages, about the importance of startups from outside the state that have set up operations in Hartford in recent years.
- June 17, 2020
The webinar, U.S. Design Patents, Quickest, Easiest, and Cost-Effective, led by Cantor Colburn's Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Design Patent Practice Co-Chair Daniel Drexler, aired on June 17, 2020. A rebroadcast and the presentation are available.
- Hartford Business JournalApril 7, 2020
"As industry consolidates, Hartford’s Cantor Colburn steadily becomes one of nation’s largest IP law firms," written by Joe Cooper, was published by the Hartford Business Journal on April 7, 2020.
- June 14, 2019
Co-Managing Partners Michael Cantor and Philmore Colburn and partners Pamela Curbelo, David Fox, and Leah Reimer, Ph.D., were selected as IP Stars in the 2019 World IP Survey by Managing Intellectual Property.
- The Hartford CourantMarch 20, 2019
Michael Cantor is quoted in the Hartford Courant article, “Connecticut Innovations planning move from Rocky Hill to New Haven and Hartford,” published on March 20, 2019.
- Fox61March 17, 2019
On March 17, 2019 CT’s Fox61 aired a story about Newington, CT husband and wife inventors who successfully pitched a product on Shark Tank only to find the appearance of many copycat products on Amazon after the show aired. The couple has a patent for the invention and Michael Cantor commented on the situation.
- IP Law360
Cantor Colburn was ranked #3 for U.S. utility patents obtained in 2018. IP Law360 published the rankings of more than 700 U.S. law firms filing more than 50 utility patents in 2018, which found that Cantor Colburn obtained 3,576 patents.
- Legal 500 USA 2018June 4, 2018
Cantor Colburn LLP has been recommended as a Leading Firm by the Legal 500 United States 2018 in Intellectual Property for Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings). This is the ninth consecutive year that Cantor Colburn has been recognized for this highly selective honor.
- May 3, 2018
Six Cantor Colburn partners were selected as IP Stars in the 2018 World IP Survey by Managing Intellectual Property. Cantor Colburn was recognized as a “highly recommended” intellectual property (IP) law firm in the state of Connecticut, where the firm is headquartered.
Co-Managing Partners Michael Cantor and Philmore Colburn were listed in Connecticut, as were Pamela Curbelo, David Fox, and Leah Reimer, Ph.D. All are Patent Stars and Mr. Colburn is additionally a Trademark Star.
- March 15, 2018
Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor's role in the "seamless partnership between state government and the private sector" effort to make Hartford, Connecticut an "technology-and-innovation hub" for Infosys, an India-based information technology company undergoing a major expansion in the U.S., is featured In the March 15, 2018 article, "How CT wooed Infosys to Hartford," by Mark Pazniokas (HartfordBusiness.com).
- JuristatFebruary 4, 2018
For the last ten years, Cantor Colburn LLP has been the fastest growing patent law firm in the country, according to patent analytics and research firm Juristat in its blog post, “The Rainmaker Firms” (February 4, 2016).
- UConn Alumni School of Engineering e-newsletter, MomentumDecember 18, 2017
The UConn Alumni e-newsletter Momentum published the article, "Tough Engineering Classes Forged These CEOs" about Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn, Frank Bergonzi, CEO & President of Azelis Americas, and Mark Vergnano, President and CEO, the Chemours Co., UConn Engineering alumni from the 80s who are today industry leaders.
- 97.9FM ESPNOctober 20, 2017
Michael Cantor was a guest on Pulse of the Region radio show and podcast with Lalitha Shivaswamy, President of Helios Management Company, and Bruce Carlson, President and CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC). The panel discussed ScaleUP CT, a conference on November 2, 2017 at the Omni Hotel New Haven presented by the CTC that is designed to support emerging growth companies that excel in innovation and entrepreneurship.
- June 23, 2017
Michael A. Cantor has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS). Mr. Cantor and his fellow trustees will help the CHS fulfill its mission to “connect you and the story of Connecticut” through exhibits, special events, guest speakers, and research opportunities.
- The Hartford Business JournalMay 8, 2017
Michael Cantor is featured in a Q&A discussion on technology, innovation, and economic growth from The Hartford Business Journal.
- November 11, 2016
Connecticut Innovates! is an exhibit at the Connecticut Historical Society about the history and the future of innovation in Connecticut. Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the exhibit, and has loaned its collection of 19th century patent models to be displayed through March.
- October 23, 2016
On October 19, 2016, more than 30 artists attended a seminar on “Creativity and the Law,” presented by members of Cantor Colburn’s Trademark & Copyright Department. Working with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a nonprofit supporting arts organizations for more than 45 years, these artists were invited to a seminar about the basics of copyright protection as it relates to their art and livelihood.
- The Hartford CourantJune 23, 2016
Cantor Colburn's Co-Managing Partner, Michael Cantor is the chairman of the board of Connecticut Innovations (CI). He was quoted in the Hartford Courant's recent article "Connecticut Innovations Board Reorganizes Its CTNext Program" (June 23, 2016).
- April 20, 2016
The Connecticut Law Tribune announced that Cantor Colburn’s Co-Managing Partners Michael A. Cantor and Philmore H. Colburn II are winners of its Professional Excellence Awards.
- October 5, 2015
On Oct. 5, Michael Cantor and Cantor Colburn hosted an event to launch the Cantor Colburn Scholarship at UConn School of Law. The scholarship is directed toward law students pursuing a career in IP/patent law.
- July 23, 2015
Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and his wife Shari, both UConn alumni, are featured for their support and connections to UConn in the article, "Shari and Michael Cantor Give to Support Connecticut's Future," from the UConn Foundation.
- The Connecticut Law TribuneJuly 9, 2015
Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor is quoted in the Connecticut Law Tribune's July 9, 2015 article, "Conn. IP Firm Helps ESPN Star Patent a Really Cool Cooler" written by Megan Spicer. Cantor Colburn assisted Mike Golic and his son Jake in securing a design patent for an innovative tailgating cooler that features multiple access points and seating.
- Republican-American, Waterbury, ConnecticutJune 19, 2015
"A cool way to sit, Watertown firm teams with ESPN host to create cooler," by David Krechevsky, was published in the Republican-American on June 19, 2015, describing how ESPN host Mike Golic and his son Jake took their idea for an innovative tailgating cooler and became owners of a design patent. Michael Cantor, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn, is the Golics' patent attorney.
- The Hartford CourantJune 16, 2015
In the June 16, 2015 Hartford Courant article, "From A Famous Tailgating Family, The Golic Cooler," Dan Haar writes about the design patent for an innovative tailgating cooler issued to Mike Golic, the former NFL defensive lineman, now co-host of ESPN's "Mike & Mike" show, and his son, Jake, who played football for Notre Dame like he did. Michael Cantor, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn LLP and the Golics' attorney, is quoted in the article, discussing the patent process and the Golics' plans for the product.
- June 16, 2015
Cantor Colburn LLP, one the largest full-service intellectual property law firms in the country, announced today that U.S. design patent number 731,858 was issued to Mike Golic, host of ESPN’s popular Mike & Mike morning show and former NFL defensive lineman, and his son Jake Golic.
- China IP MagazineJune 1, 2015
Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Trademark & Copyright Department Chair Curt Krechevsky wrote the article "An Overview of Trademark Oppositions in the U.S." which appeared in two parts in China IP Magazine in its May and June 2015 issues.
- China Intellectual Property MagazineMarch 1, 2015
Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and associate Chad Dever, Ph.D. wrote the cover story for the March 2015 issue of China Intellectual Property Magazine, recapping developments in U.S. patent in 2014 and forecasting developments in U.S. patent law in 2015.
- October 29, 2014
Cantor Colburn will sponsor the Connecticut Innovation Summit, the state's largest technology networking event, where innovative, emerging, and disruptive companies, premier service providers, and elite technology leaders meet and celebrate innovation. The November 12 event concludes with an Awards Ceremony, hosted by Cantor Colburn’s Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor, which will recognize the next generation of high-growth companies in Connecticut.
- www.ctinventionconvention.orgApril 2, 2014
Michael Cantor gave the keynote speech when the Connecticut State Legislature hosted the Connecticut Invention Convention at the state Capitol. 170 student inventors from 14 schools, legislators, and Cantor Colburn Associate Eric Baron, a CIC board member, attended.
- Connecticut Law TribuneMarch 24, 2014
The Connecticut Invention Convention honored Cantor Colburn partner Charles O'Brien as he stepped down from its board of directors after four years as a member.
- Corporate CounselOctober 2013
Cantor Colburn was nationally ranked for patent litigation by Corporate Counsel magazine in its October 2013 issue. Cantor Colburn’s dedicated team of litigation attorneys have decades of experience in presenting technically complex matters for trial in front of judges and juries. A partner participates in every facet of the case, bringing results that count for the client. And at each phase of the litigation, Cantor Colburn seeks practical strategies to achieve a prompt, efficient resolution of the dispute.
- New Haven IndependentNovember 15, 2013
Chairperson of Connecticut Innovations and Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor toured New Haven's innovation hub and met with Grid Founders Fellows, young entrepreneurs whose start ups are being funded by the state, as covered by the New Haven Independent on November 15, 2013, "Mr. Innovation Meets The Fellows."
- November 7, 2013
Cantor Colburn LLP sponsored the Connecticut Technology Council’s seventh annual Connecticut Innovation Summit attended by nearly 450 entrepreneurs, investors and service providers on November 7, 2013, at The Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford who wanted to learn about and celebrate Connecticut’s top innovators and intriguing high-potential companies. Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partner, Connecticut Innovations Chairman, and Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) Board Member Michael Cantor was master of ceremonies at the awards ceremony at the end of the event. The 2013 CTC event was produced in concert with Crossroads Venture Group, CTNEXT, Angel Investor Forum, and CURE.
- October 10, 2013
Cantor Colburn LLP has been recognized by 10 different organizations and publications- which heralded 14 attorneys in particular- for excellence in their work in 2013. The Legal 500 has applauded the firm for its “solid reputation in the market of providing an excellent level of service, and having an excellent value for money.” From accolades for the firm as a whole to specific recognition of Cantor Colburn attorneys in diverse practice areas within the field of intellectual property, the firm has enjoyed an abundance of recognition in 2013.
- Hartford Business JournalAugust 19, 2013
The Hartford Business Journal talks about the future of Connecticut Innovations with the quasi-public venture capital firm’s new chairman Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn LLP.
- The Connecticut Law TribuneJuly 29, 2013
Michael Cantor says his experience running an intellectual property law firm will help him lead Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public agency that provides funding for high-tech businesses.
- July 2013
Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that he has appointed Michael Cantor, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn LLP to serve as chairperson of Connecticut Innovations (CI), the quasi-public agency charged with growing Connecticut's economy by making strategic capital and other investments that encourage the development of high-tech industries within the state, such as energy, biotechnology, information technology, and photonics.
- Connecticut Law TribuneJune 24, 2013
Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor is interviewed about the firm's steady, consistent growth.
- May 31, 2013
The 200 employees of Cantor Colburn LLP’s Hartford office gathered on Friday, May 31, 2013, to witness the unveiling of the Cantor Colburn logo on a 12’ X 9’ sign on the side of its office building at 20 Church Street.
- The Connecticut Law TribuneMay 15, 2013
In support of the people of Boston after the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, Cantor Colburn's Hartford office participated in Wear Your Boston Day on April 19, 2013.
- May 6, 2013
- Hartford Business JournalApril 1, 2013
- Hartford MagazineFebruary 1, 2013
Michael Cantor's collection of patent models and patents is featured in Hartford magazine.
- Connecticut Law TribuneNovember 19, 2012
- October 20, 2012
Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn, spoke at the 2012 Seoul International Trademark Forum on October 19, presented jointly by the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Korean Trademark & Design Association (KOTA) at the COEX Intercontinental Seoul. Mr. Cantor’s presentation discussed the issues of “use” and “intent to use” in the establishment of trademark rights in the United States. An audience of 250 trademark practitioners from South Korea and around the world attended the Forum. INTA and KOTA timed their event to lead up to the 43rd World Intellectual Property Congress of the Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI), also held in Seoul immediately following the International Trademark Forum.
- Connecticut Law TribuneSeptember 3, 2012
- West Hartford NewsNovember 29, 2011
- November 10, 2011
- Cantor Colburn LLPJanuary 19, 2011
- Cantor Colburn LLPJanuary 19, 2011
- INTA BulletinApril 1, 2010
- Connecticut Law TribuneApril 20, 2009
- Who's On Top?The Connecticut Law TribuneMay 12, 2008
- Q&A with Cantor Colburn’s Michael CantorIP Law 360September 2007
- Cantor Colburn Expands to AlexandriaIntellectual Property TodayJune 12, 2007
- A Small Victory for DowntownThe Hartford CourantApril 11, 2007
Events
- November 12, 2024New Orleans
The INTA 2024 Leadership Meeting will take place November 12-15, 2024 in New Orleans. This annual conference brings together INTA’s volunteer leaders and committee members to advance the Association’s support of trademarks and related intellectual property. Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, Michelle Ciotola, Ali Caless, Ben Cantor, Sara Colburn, Soomin Kim, and Crysta Lemon are attending the conference and serve on INTA committees.
- May 18, 2024Atlanta
The International Trademark Association (INTA) 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in Atlanta from May 18-22, 2024. Thousands of intellectual property professionals from around the world will attend, including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- March 22, 2024
The 102nd Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary will be held on March 22, 2024 in New York City. Cantor Colburn has sponsored the event for more than a decade.
- March 13, 2024Trinity College Innovation Center, Hartford
Cantor Colburn Partners Michael Cantor and Nancy Kennedy and Director of Marketing Jessica Lister will attend the Hartford Youth Scholars Annual Meeting on March 13, 2024 at the Trinity College Innovation Center in Hartford.
- November 14, 2023Houston
The INTA 2023 Leadership Meeting will take place November 14-17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, Ali Caless and Ben Cantor are attending the conference and serve on INTA committees. Cantor Colburn's Trademark Practice is ranked #8 in the U.S.
- October 26, 2023
UCONN Law Recognizes Michael Cantor as Distinguished Graduate Award 2023 at an event on October 26, 2023.
- September 10, 2023Boston
The Intellectual Property Owners Association 2023 Annual Meeting takes place September 10-12, 2023 in Boston.
- May 16, 2023Singapore
Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, Michelle Ciotola and Dan Drexler will be joining trademark, brand professionals, and intellectual professionals from around the world at the annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) in Singapore in May 2023.
- April 22, 2023Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor Hartford Hospital’s premier gala, Black & Red at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford on April 22, 2023.
- April 20, 2023UConn Storrs
The Future Climate Venture Studio brings together UConn, CT Next, and additional partners from energy finance, venture capital, and technology to identify, support, and collaborate with the startups addressing the most critical dimensions of the climate challenge. An April 20, 2023 Showcase event will feature presentations from the six inaugural companies, a welcome address from UConn President Radenka Maric, and a networking reception with partners, including sponsor Cantor Colburn LLP.
- March 20, 2023Tel Aviv, Israel
Michael Cantor will moderate the panel, "Managing IP in Time of Recession," with speakers Sharon Hausdorff, Vice President Corporate Intellectual Property TEVA, Mayan Calev, Intellectual Property Manager, Strauss Group Inc., and Cary Levitt, Former Chief IP Officer, DOW Chemicals and Corning, at the Best Practices in Intellectual Property conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 20, 2023.
- November 15, 2022Miami, Florida
The INTA 2022 Leadership Meeting will take place November 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. This annual conference brings together INTA’s volunteer leaders and committee members to advance the Association’s support of trademarks and related intellectual property. Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, Michelle Ciotola, Ali Caless and Ben Cantor are attending the conference.
- September 15, 2022Atlanta
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA) Gala on September 15, 2022 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
- September 10, 2022San Francisco
The AIPPI World Congress 2022 takes place September 10-13, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
- June 11, 2022Hartford, Connecticut
UConn Law celebrate its past, present, and future at its Centennial Gala on June 11, 2022 in Hartford. The Gala is a culmination of centennial celebration events, at which the important work alumni have done thought the state, country and world will be recognized.
- April 30, 2022Washington, D.C.
INTA’s Annual Meeting Live+ is in-person and virtual. Taking place over April 30–May 4, 2022 in Washington, D.C., the annual conference of the International Trademark Association brings together the most influential brand and intellectual property professionals from across the globe and across industries.
- April 26, 2022New York City
Pharmaceutical Litigation Chair Steve Coyle will be a panelist at the Paragraph IV Disputes Conference in New York City, April 26-27, 2022.
- March 25, 2022New York City
The 100th Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary will be held on March 25, 2022 in New York City.
- November 9, 2021New York City
Pharmaceutical Litigation Chair Steve Coyle will be a panelist at the Paragraph IV Disputes Conference in New York City, November 9-10, 2021. Also attending the conference are Michael Cantor and Nick Geiger.
- October 25, 2021Hybrid - Streaming Live From Tel Aviv
Michael Cantor, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn, will be part of a panel discussion on IP Landscaping and Competitor Analysis at the Best Practices in Intellectual Property (BPIP) Annual Conference on October 25, 2021, which brings global decision makers and international IP practitioners together with updates and analysis on IP global issues, trends and legislation.
- October 13, 2021Hartford, Connecticut
Shari and Michael Cantor will be recognized as 2021 Human Relations Honorees at the National Council for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Annual Human Relations Awards Banquet on October 13, 2021 in Hartford.
- September 19, 2021Austin, Texas
IPO will hold a LIVE (September 19-21 in Austin, TX) + Virtual Annual Meeting + Virtual (September 28-30), 2021.
- April 22, 2021
The New York Intellectual Property Law Association's 99th Annual Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary is virtual on April 22, 2021.
- December 8, 2020Virtual
Cantor Colburn is proud to continue its sponsorship of the IPO Education Foundation Awards Celebration, December 8-10, 2020.
- June 17, 2020Webinar
Join us for complimentary webinar, U.S. Design Patents, Quickest, Easiest, and Cost-Effective, on June 17 at 9 AM EDT, led by Cantor Colburn's Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Design Patent Practice Co-Chair Daniel Drexler.
- November 19, 2019Austin, Texas
The INTA 2019 Leadership Meeting will take place November 19-22, 2019 in Austin, Texas. This annual conference brings together INTA’s volunteer leaders and committee members to advance the Association’s support of trademarks and related intellectual property. Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, and Michelle Ciotola will be attending the conference.
- November 2, 2019Connection Convention Center, Hartford, CT
Cantor Colburn is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Connecticut Children's Gala. Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Partner Charles O'Brien will attend the gala on November 2, 2019
at the Connecticut Convention Center.Nursing is central to the high-quality, patient and family care experience at Connecticut Children's. Money raised will provide extraordinary support for the nurses and their innovative research and ensure a strong future for nursing at Connecticut Children's.
- September 24, 2019Washington, D.C.
The Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) 47th Annual Meeting takes place September 24-26, 2019, in Washington, D.C.
- September 15, 2019London, United Kingdom
The AIPPI World Congress 2019 takes place September 15-18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.
AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, was founded in 1897 and is dedicated to the development, improvement, and legal protection of intellectual property.
- June 6, 2019Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor 2019 ScaleUP CT on June 6, 2019 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, ScaleUP CT is designed to support companies that are beyond the startup phase. ScaleUP CT is an event built to educate and invigorate the leaders of Connecticut's growing tech-oriented companies. Now in its third year, the event will support companies in the tech sector at every stage of their growth and development. Co-managing partner Michael Cantor is on the CTC board of directors and will be a part of the program.
- June 5, 2019Boston, Massachusetts
Michael Cantor will speak at the TransPerfect Legal Solutions and Suffolk University Law School Boston IP Forum on June 5, 2019 on foreign filing strategies.
- June 3, 2019Philadelphia
The BIO International Convention 2019 is in Philadelphia on June 3-6, 2019. More than 16,000 biotechnology and pharma leaders will come together for intensive networking to discover new opportunities and partnerships among a wide spectrum of life science and application areas, including drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology and cell therapy.
- May 18, 2019Boston, Massachusetts
The 141st annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) will take place in Boston, Massachusetts from May 18-22, 2018. Nearly 10,000 intellectual property professionals from around the world will attend, including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- May 4, 2019University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Several Cantor Colburn attorneys will be judges at the regional and statewide Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC), competitions, including Eric Baron, who is also a CIC board member. Michael Cantor will attend to represent the firm during the program, which will recognize Cantor Colburn's support. This year's convention will take place on May 4, 2019 at the UConn Storrs campus.
- April 29, 2019New York City
Pharmaceutical Litigation Chair Steve Coyle will be a panelist at the Paragraph IV Disputes Conference in New York City, April 29-30, 2019. Cantor Colburn has a dedicated Pharmaceutical Practice Group comprised of experienced litigators, Ph.D. chemists, and patent attorneys expert in other supporting technologies. Also attending from Cantor Colburn are Michael Cantor and Nicholas Geiger.
- March 22, 2019New York City
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the New York Intellectual Property Law Association's 97th Annual Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary on March 22, 2019. The firm is a longtime sponsor of the Judges' Dinner.
- March 6, 2019Mumbai
Cantor Colburn is pleased to sponsor the 8th Annual Pharma IPR Conference in Mumbai, India, on March 6-8. 2019. Steve Coyle, who leads the Pharmaceutical IP Services Practice Group and co-chairs the Litigation Department, will speak on "ANDA Filing and Litigation: Procedures to Respond."
- December 11, 2018Washington, D.C.
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the 2018 IPO Education Foundation Awards Dinner which recognizes the 45th Inventor of the Year, IP Video Contest Winners, and more. The event takes place on December 11, 2018 at the National Building Museum in Washington. D.C. Cantor Colburn is sponsoring the Welcome Reception for all awards dinner guests for the third consecutive year.
- November 10, 2018Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Gala on November 10, 2018 in Hartford, Connecticut.
- November 6, 2018New Orleans, Louisiana
The INTA 2018 Leadership Meeting will take place November 6-9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals.
- October 30, 2018Fairfield, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor ScaleUP CT on October 30, 2018 in Fairfield, Connecticut. Presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, ScaleUP CT is designed to support companies that are beyond the startup phase. ScaleUP CT is a half-day event built to educate and invigorate the leaders of Connecticut's growing companies.
- October 18, 2018Yale School of Management, New Haven, Connecticut
VentureClash takes place on October 18, 2018 at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut. It brings together the most promising early-stage companies, experts, investors, customers and educators. Finalists among the early stage companies will compete in Connecticut’s global venture challenge, with investment awards totaling $5 million from Connecticut Innovations (CI). Michael Cantor is the Chair of CI, the state's strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for innovative, growing companies.
- September 23, 2018Cancun, Mexico
The AIPPI World Congress 2018 takes place September 23-26, 2018 in Cancun, Mexico.
AIPPI, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, was founded in 1897 and is dedicated to the development, improvement, and legal protection of intellectual property.
- June 13, 2018Athens, Greece
Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner, and Michelle Ciotola, Partner and Vice Chair of the Trademark & Copyright Department, will attend the ECTA's 37th Annual Conference in Athens, Greece. ECTA (the European Communities Trade Mark Association) promotes the knowledge and professionalism of members and owners alike in the fields of trade marks, designs, copyright and other IP rights within the European Union.
- May 19, 2018Seattle, Washington
The 140th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) will take place in Seattle, Washington from May 19-23, 2018. Nearly 10,000 intellectual property professionals from around the world will attend, including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- April 23, 2018New York City
Cantor Colburn is sponsoring the Paragraph IV Disputes conference in New York City on April 23-25, 2018. Cantor Colburn has a dedicated Pharmaceutical Practice Group comprised of experienced litigators, Ph.D. chemists, and patent attorneys.
- April 3, 2018Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor will speak at the Hartford Business Journal event, “90 Ideas in 90 Minutes,” on April 3 at the Hartford Club along with eight other successful executives, all sharing their 10 top business and leadership insights.
- March 23, 2018New York City
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the New York Intellectual Property Law Association's 96th Annual Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary on March 23, 2018. The firm is a longtime sponsor of the Judges' Dinner.
- March 19, 2018UConn Law School - Reading Room, Hartford, CT
Cantor Colburn is the Platinum Sponsor for the UConn Innovation Workshop & Patent Celebration on March 19, 2018 at the UConn Law Reading Room. This event will celebrate the UConn/ UConn Health Faculty innovations that have recently been issued patents from the USPTO.
Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn, will be a featured speaker. Michael is an Alum of the School of Engineering and the Law School. He has been an adjunct professor teaching at the Law School for more than 20 years.
- March 15, 2018Dunkin Donuts Park, Hartford, Connecticut
Michael Cantor is chair of the 2018 United Arts Campaign, in support of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, which kicks off on March 15, 2018 with the event, "Big Red for the Arts," which Cantor Colburn is also sponsoring.
- March 12, 2018Tel Aviv, Israel
Michael Cantor will speak on "Bringing Down the Costs: IP Budget Planning- Tips and Tricks" at the 5th Annual Best Practices in Intellectual Property Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 12-13, 2018.
- January 9, 2018Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will speak at the MetroHartford Alliance Rising Star Breakfast on January 9 in Hartford.
- November 7, 2017Washington, D.C.
The 2017 INTA (International Trademark Association) Leadership Meeting, November 7-10, 2017 in Washington, D.C., brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.
- November 2, 2017New Haven, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor ScaleUP CT on November 2, 2017 in New Haven, Connecticut. Presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, ScaleUP CT is designed to support emerging growth companies that excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn and Chairman of Connecticut Innovations, will moderate a panel discussion, "War Story of Growth - Perspectives on Managing Growth."
- May 20, 2017Barcelona, Spain
The 139th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) took place in Barcelona, Spain from May 20-24, 2017 and was attended by more than 9,500 trademark professionals including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- April 24, 2017New York, New York
Cantor Colburn litigation partner Steve Coyle moderated the panel "The Ongoing Jurisdiction Debate: From Mylan to TC Heartland" at the Paragraph IV Disputes Conference in New York City, which the firm also sponsored. Cantor Colburn has a dedicated Pharmaceutical Practice Group comprised of experienced litigators, Ph.D. chemists, and patent attorneys.
- April 22, 2017Hartford, Connecticut
- March 31, 2017New York, New York
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the New York Intellectual Property Law Association's 95th Annual Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary on March 31, 2017.
- November 15, 2016Hollywood, Florida
The 2016 INTA Leadership Meeting, November 15-18 in Hollywood, Florida, brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.
INTA is a global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce.
- October 27, 2016Shenzhen, China
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the China Intellectual Property and Innovation Summit in Shenzhen, China, October 27-28, 2016.
- September 22, 2016Milan, Italy
The AIPPI World Congress takes place in Milan, Italy on September 16-20, 2016.
Co-Managing Partners Michael Cantor and Phil Colburn will attend.
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual MeetingMay 21, 2016Orlando, Florida
- May 11, 2016Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is pleased to sponsor the 2016 Connecticut-Israel Innovations Showcase will feature leading-edge Israeli companies whose work dovetails with Connecticut's major industries. Brief presentations will be followed by an opportunity to meet the presenters and uncover synergies, customer opportunities and investment possibilities.
- April 29, 2016UConn Storrs Campus, Connecticut
On April 29, 2016, seniors at UConn's School of Engineering will participate in Senior Design Day at UConn's Gampel Pavilion, followed by a reception for UConn's Engineering Alumni to mark the school's centennial. Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn, will offer remarks to his fellow alumni at the reception.
- April 25, 2016Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to be a returning sponsor of the UConn Health White Coat Gala, which honors the “white coats” worn by the men and women breaking new ground in the lab and providing exceptional, personalized patient care.
- November 17, 2015Panama City, Panama
The INTA Leadership Meeting brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals.
- November 10, 2015Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to sponsor the Innovation Summit, presented by the Connecticut Technology Council.
- September 27, 2015Chicago, Illinois
The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) 43rd Annual Meeting offers a mix of educational programs led by distinguished presenters, committee meetings, exhibits, and networking functions.
- May 13, 2015New Haven, Connecticut
The IP Inn of Court for Connecticut was inaugurated on May 13, 2015. The Inn was inaugurated when Federal Circuit Judge Richard Linn presented District of Connecticut Judge Janet Bond Arterton with the charter of the Inn.
Cantor Colburn's Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner, and Nicholas Geiger, Litigation Associate, are officers of the IP Inn. Other Cantor Colburn attorneys who are charter members are Bud Bedingfield and Christopher Boehm.
- May 2, 2015San Diego, California
The 137th annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) takes place in San Diego, California and will be attended by more than 9,500 trademark professionals including a large delegation from Cantor Colburn.
- April 27, 2015New York, New York
Cantor Colburn litigation partner Steve Coyle will present at the Paragraph IV Disputes Conference in New York City, which the firm is also sponsoring. Cantor Colburn has a dedicated Pharmaceutical Practice Group comprised of experienced litigators, Ph.D. chemists, and patent attorneys.
- April 25, 2015Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is proud to be a returning sponsor of the UConn Health White Coat Gala.
- March 27, 2015New York, New York
At the New York Intellectual Property Law Association's 93rd Annual Dinner in Honor of the Federal Judiciary, former United States Secretary of State Keynote Speaker Madeleine K. Albright will be the keynote speaker and Honorable James D. Smith, Chief Administrative Patent Judge, United States Patent and Trademark Office, will receive the Outstanding Public Service Award.
- November 12, 2014Wallingford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is the founding sponsor of the Connecticut Innovation Summit, the state's largest tech networking event, where innovative, emerging, and disruptive companies, premier service providers, and elite technology leaders meet and celebrate innovation. The event concludes with an Awards Ceremony, hosted by Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor, which will recognize the next generation of high-growth companies in Connecticut.
- INTA Leadership Meeting 2014November 11, 2014Phoenix, Arizona
- October 28, 2014Hartford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is sponsoring reSET’s 4th Annual Social Enterprise Awards, a celebration of Connecticut social entrepreneurs with the most viable, sustainable, market-based solutions for some of our state’s most pressing social problems.
- September 7, 2014Vancouver, Canada
The IPO Annual Meeting takes place on September 7-9, 2014 in Vancouver, Canada.
- International Trademark Association (INTA) 136th Annual Meeting 2014May 10, 2014Hong Kong, China
- April 28, 2014New York, New York
- March 12, 2014UConn Campus, Storrs, Connecticut
- February 5, 2014Ahmedabad, India
Cantor Colburn is sponsoring two intellectual property (IP) symposia in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, India on Strategies for Managing Pharma, Biotech & Chemical Patent Portfolios attended by research and development scientists and IP professionals from India, presented by the Institute of Intellectual Property Research & Development. Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Pharmaceutical Litigation Practice Group Chair Steve Coyle will lead a team to make presentations on strategic generic pharmaceutical patent portfolio issues.
- February 3, 2014Mumbai, India
Cantor Colburn is sponsoring two intellectual property (IP) symposia in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, India on Strategies for Managing Pharma, Biotech & Chemical Patent Portfolios attended by research and development scientists and IP professionals from India, presented by the Institute of Intellectual Property Research & Development. Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor and Pharmaceutical Litigation Practice Group Chair Steve Coyle will lead a team to make presentations on strategic generic pharmaceutical patent portfolio issues.
- November 7, 2013Wallingford, Connecticut
Cantor Colburn is a platinum sponsor of the Connecticut Innovation Summit, a day-long program for executives, entrepreneurs, rising technology leaders, and investors to come together to share ideas and promote innovation. The program includes mentor meetings, a funding fair, a sales pitch competition, a poster expo, and an awards ceremony.
- IPO Annual MeetingSeptember 15, 2013Boston, Massachusetts
- International Legal Alliance Summit AwardsJune 20, 2013New York, New York
- INTA 135th Annual MeetingMay 4, 2013Dallas, Texas
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2012May 5, 2012Washington, D.C.
- International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual MeetingMay 14, 2011San Francisco, California
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Intellectual Property Owners Association
International Trademark Association
- Leadership Development Committee, 2023-2025
- Law Firm Committee, 2022-2023
- Management Subcommittee, 2022-2023
- Associates Subcommittee, 2020-2021
- Law Firm Committee, 2020-2021
- Design Emerging Issues Subcommittee, 2018-2019
- Designs Committee, 2018-2019
- Designs Committee, 2016-2017
- Designs Communications Subcommittee, 2016-2017
- Emerging Issues Committee, 2014-2015
- Limits on Trademark Rights Subcommittee, 2014-2015
- Internet Committee, 2012-2013
- Online Use Subcommittee, 2012-2013
Connecticut Bar Association
- James W. Cooper Fellows
Connecticut IP Inn of Court, Charter Member, Membership Committee Co-Chair
Connecticut Patent Law Association
Tau Beta Pi
Community/Civic Involvement
Chair, Connecticut Innovations
Advisory Board, Legal Innovators
Board of Trustees, Connecticut Historical Society
Board Member, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
Board Member, University of Connecticut School of Engineering Advisory Board
Former Board Member, Greater Hartford Arts Council
Former Board Member, Connecticut Development Authority
Former Board Member, University of Connecticut Institute of Material Sciences Advisory Board
Former Board Member, University of Connecticut Foundation
Former Board Member, Connecticut Technology Council