Our Team
John A. Gaviglio
John focuses his practice on mobility, technology, automotive, R&D and entertainment, and has provided his clients (startups to Fortune 500) legal guidance on topics related to commercial transactions, supply chain, intellectual property and regulatory matters.
John has spent several years providing legal support at a top automotive OEM embedded within the legal department. On this assignment, he has executed hundreds of agreements as well as led large teams of executives, researchers, scientists and engineers in developing and executing multi-million dollar business projects.
His practice also involves negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements, including master service, data and software licensing, design, material transfer, leases, donation and non-disclosure agreements, among others.
John is dedicated to the teams that he works with and has served as a leader on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
In addition to being an attorney, John is also a musician with several years of experience as an internationally-renowned recording artist, performer, manager, and record label owner.
Education
J.D., Wayne State University Law School
B.A., University of Michigan
Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan
M. Blair Gerdes
Blair focuses her practice on drafting and negotiating research agreements and creating, protecting and leveraging intellectual property assets. She has extensive experience advising on collaboration and development transactions including university - industry sponsored research agreements, joint development agreements, non-disclosure agreements, technical services agreements, licensing agreements and agreements involving government entities such as CRADAs.
She has negotiated hundreds of technology transactions supporting a wide range of R&D including materials, electronics, and robotics research as well as vehicle and manufacturing technology and other mobility initiatives. Her practice involves providing strategic counsel to business executives, scientists, and engineers. Other areas of her expertise include management of trademark portfolios from trademark clearance to filing, prosecution and maintenance and brand protection.
Prior to joining the firm, she practiced both in-house and in private practice. At a premier research institution she collaborated across campus supporting the university’s research portfolio negotiating transactions with commercial, nonprofit and governmental entities.
Education
J.D., University of Virginia Law School
B.A., University of Virginia (cum laude)
Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, District of Columbia and State of Illinois.