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Taylor English’s Construction Practice Group focuses on avoiding and solving problems in the most practical and efficient manner. Our Construction Practice Group originated from some of the Nation’s most well-known construction law firms to create a formidable team that is taken seriously within the industry and by adversaries alike.

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We have a seasoned group of corporate, finance and tax lawyers, most of whom have been partners in large national or regional law firms, and several have served as general counsel of significant public or private companies.

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The members of our practice group are seasoned professionals who are committed to providing our clients with effective representation on a cost efficient basis. Paul Durdaller is the practice group leader of the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights practice group at Taylor English Duma LLP.

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Taylor English’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Group handles the complete range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters.

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We understand that the employer-employee dynamic is central to the success of a business. Taylor English’s Employment, Labor & Immigration Group represents management in all aspects of the employment relationship, from training to counseling, from internal complaints to full-blown litigation.

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Taylor English’s Environmental and Renewable Energy Practice Group’s lawyers have over seventy years of collective experience in the field of environmental and renewable energy law.

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We have created the Financial Institutions team at Taylor English Duma LLP – bringing together attorneys from different specialties across the Firm – in order to seamlessly deliver to financial institutions the types of services that are most needed in this difficult economy.

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The members of Taylor English’s Intellectual Property group advise businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs regarding the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property assets.

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The Lending, Workout & Foreclosure practice group at Taylor English represents national, regional, local and community banks and lending institutions in all manner of actions related to troubled loans. Our team brings legal and business experience gained from years working on workout and restructuring transactions at top national firms and as in-house counsels at some of the country’s largest corporations.

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The Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group at Taylor English is comprised of experienced attorneys who provide creative, efficient and cost-effective advocacy for our clients.

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The Real Estate, Lending and Finance group at Taylor English has extensive experience in all types of transactions involving commercial, industrial, residential and multi-family real estate.

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The Resort, Hotel & Hospitality Group of Taylor English is nationally known for its representation of clients involved in the resort, hotel, restaurant, regulated real estate, travel and hospitality industry. The group consists of experienced attorneys from several distinct practice areas who provide creative, cost-effective advocacy to clients.

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Taylor English provides tax planning, credit and controversy legal services to our clients. Using our value focused approach, our tax attorneys work directly with clients and our other attorneys to ensure appropriate attention is given to the opportunities and consequences of all manners of federal, state and local taxes.

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Taylor English represents clients with the development and use of technology and e-commerce in their business. Many issues and opportunities arise for businesses involving technology, whether with the development and distribution of technology solutions, the licensing and use of technology products, or the procurement or outsourcing of IT services.

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Taylor English is a full-service law firm composed of the region's most experienced, results-driven lawyers. Our model is purpose built around our clients and designed to seek new opportunities for them.

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February 25, 2010 | Posted in Press

Taylor English Forms Technology Group, Hires IP Attorney Jeff Kuester

Atlanta – Feb. 25, 2010 –Taylor English Duma LLP has formed a technology group to address the growing need for intellectual property expertise and plans on hiring patent attorneys, patent agents and technical advisors. The law firm has also brought on 17-year IP specialist Jeff Kuester to lead the technology group’s new patent preparation, prosecution and enforcement practice.

Taylor English has grown 50 percent over the past year through the addition of 25-plus attorneys. With the addition of Kuester and his IP management practice, said partner and technology group member Bob Goldberg, the firm is well-positioned to become the law firm of choice in Atlanta for technology companies.

“With our roster of senior attorneys with tech experience, it makes a strong case to form a technology group,” Goldberg said. “Attorneys in this group understand the technology business and the issues tech firms face.”

The technology group will have an increased focus on venture capital, patent applications, patent defense, IP management, privacy, software licensing and Internet law. Members consist of attorneys from several practice areas, including corporate & capital obtainment, commercial contracting & dispute resolution, employment & immigration, and tax.

Many members have served as general and senior in-house counsels and in other capacities for Fortune 500 and start-up technology companies:

  • Jeff Kuester – IBM.
  • Scott Duma – XcelleNet, Premiere Global Services, Per-Se Technologies and DCA.
  • Jonathan Wilson – Interland, Web.com, EasyLink Services International.
  • Bruce Richards – Equifax, Certegy
  • Mike Sullivan – Sanmina/SCI
  • Bob Goldberg – MCI Telecommunications, Harbor Payments Corp.

Kuester: ‘We’re Growing and Still Hiring’

Kuester, previously a founding partner at Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley LLP, has secured hundreds of patents over his career.

He has substantial experience in software, telecommunications and electronics. One particular case he brings to Taylor English is the heavily-watched Bilski v. Kappos. Kuester represents the co-inventors in this U.S. Supreme Court case, which involves business-method and software-patent rights.

“Jeff is one of the most respected attorneys in the country regarding intellectual property matters,” Goldberg said. “His commitment to helping clients maximize the value of their IP fits perfectly with our approach to practicing law.”

Kuester has spent most of his career in technology law. Earning his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, he currently teaches Intellectual Property Law at Georgia State University.

Other technology roles have included:

  • Chair of the American Bar Association’s Patent Legislation Committee.
  • Chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s Intellectual Property Law and Technology Law sections.
  • Board of Editors for Internet Law & Strategy journal.

Kuester said the need for effective IP defense is at an all-time high due to increasing complexities—and rising costs—in patent litigation. On Feb. 1, for example, Boston Scientific Corp. said it would pay Johnson & Johnson $1.73 billion to end a patent dispute.

“It’s becoming harder to create strong patent rights,” Kuester said. “The law is evolving faster than it ever has. That’s why it’s important for technology firms of all sizes to have a technology-focused law firm on their side.”

Kuester said he came to Taylor English because the firm has several advantages over larger, more traditional firms. The firm, he said, passes cost savings to clients because of lower overhead. In addition, Taylor English is able to invest firm-wide in the newest of technologies—including an online system that will provide clients efficient and cost-saving access to patent files and deadlines.

Kuester said the right balance of legal expertise and cost effectiveness has uniquely positioned Taylor English for rapid growth.

“We’re growing and still hiring,” Kuester said. “We fully expect to be Atlanta’s premiere full-services law firm for technology companies.”

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About Taylor English Duma LLP

Taylor English is a full-service business law firm that provides high quality legal services for optimal value. Areas of practice include Employment & Labor, Technology, Business Transactions, Corporate & Taxation, Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Real Estate, Development & Construction.  Taylor English represents all types of clients—from Fortune 500 companies and start-ups to individuals. The firm has grown from four attorneys in 2005 to over 75 attorneys today. For more information, visit www.taylorenglish.com.

We deliver superior service through...

1. Purpose-Built Efficiency

Everything we do is focused on greater efficiency, flexibility and entrepreneurship. The result is that our clients view us as part of their business building investment, not a corporate expense.

2. Purpose-Built Partnerships

We are partners, not vendors. The result is that we are accountable, respectful and care as much about our clients' business as we do our own.

3. Purpose-Built Results

We are problem solvers. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to provide value and results and seek flexibility in how we structure engagements.