Schaffer, Schaub & Marriott, Ltd. (formerly Emch, Schaffer, Schaub & Porcello Co., L.P.A.) has joined MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd, LLC as of May 1, 2024 creating one of the largest intellectual property (IP) boutiques in the State of Ohio and the largest IP boutique in Northwest Ohio. SSM traces its roots back to 1901 and the firm of Owen & Owen, one of the original intellectual property law firms in Toledo. SSM has been a well-respected firm in the Toledo intellectual property law community for decades, offering expertise in patents, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, trade secrets, and rights of publicity.

SSM adds several seasoned attorneys to MST’s growing law practice. Charles Schaub and Patrick Pacella both have practiced IP law in Toledo for more than 45 years and Christopher Marriott has more than 10 years of experience. Over the years, SSM has counseled businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies, individual inventors, authors, and entrepreneurs, and worked tirelessly to protect, promote, and maintain their clients’ IP rights domestically and overseas. SSM’s attorneys have established groundbreaking legal precedent for clients. Most notably, in 1985, Patrick Pacella successfully argued in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (In re Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 774 F.2d 1116) to establish the suitability of color (namely, the color pink for fiberglass) to function as a trademark, marking the first time a color was registered by the USPTO.

MST’s founding members, Richard MacMillan, Mark Sobanski, and Oliver Todd opened MST’s doors in 1986 in Toledo, Ohio. Today the downtown office overlooks the Maumee River and the firm has grown to now include offices in Livonia, Michigan, and Fort Collins, Colorado. Together the firm will have twenty-four IP attorneys experienced in the electrical, mechanical, biotechnology, computer, and chemical arts. MST and SSM together have several IP specialists on the staff with 20+ years of experience able to assist attorneys and clients with all their IP needs.

Tim Van Tuinen – “There is a unique joy in building an intellectual property practice, but seeing talented colleagues choose to join us takes it to a whole new level. It’s a testament to the environment we’ve created in Northwest Ohio. Together we’ll offer a wider range of expertise and a more fulfilling experience for both our teams and our clients.”

Jim Duggan – “The added depth of intellectual property knowledge and experience will help us leverage Toledo’s long standing Fortune 100 company history to the advantage of today’s client needs.”

Joseph Tucker – “We’re excited to welcome the SSM team to our growing practice. The history of intellectual property law in Toledo cannot be written without SSM, and the experience that the attorneys and staff of SSM bring to MST will be a strong asset.”

Matt Buchanan – “SSM has a long-standing and direct connection to the proud history of innovation in Toledo. We’re honored to become a steward of that history and to have the entire SSM team join our firm as we expand to meet the growing demand for IP legal services.”