Terry M. Sanks, a registered patent attorney, is a founding member of the firm. In guiding clients with developing strategies to best utilize and protect their intellectual property (“IP”), he provides representation in all areas of IP law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, litigation, and licensing and transactions. Terry’s diverse practice also includes managing patent portfolios and trademark portfolios for Fortune 500 companies and regional companies. Terry’s noteworthy legal abilities have resulted in him being recognized and honored at the state level and nationally.
Terry has prepared and prosecuted patents in the U.S. and worldwide in numerous technologies including various aspects of electrical, electromechanical and mechanical technologies, software-based, and business methods. He also counsels clients on the patentability of inventions and provides patent infringement and validity opinions. With respect to trademarks, Terry counsels clients on the selection, availability for use, and the preparation and prosecution of trademarks with state agencies and the USPTO, including opposition and cancellation practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Terry also addresses client matters related to copyrights as well as prepares registration of copyrights filed with the United States Copyright Office. He is also litigates various matters involving intellectual property law.
Terry has been an adjunct professor of law at the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University College of Law and at the Barry University School of Law. He has also volunteered his time, primarily to civic and church-based organizations, lecturing on various areas of intellectual property law. He has also been known to mentor law students with an interest in IP law and attorneys starting their legal careers. In addition to his involvement in national bar associations, Terry is active in the Florida Bar and the Orange County Bar Association. He was selected as member of the Federal Bar Committee and is the Chair of 7th Annual IP Symposium.
Terry is a decorated officer who served in the United States Air Force. Several of his recognized accomplishments include being the first program manager of a one-of-its-kind electric propulsion space experiment, authoring several articles about electric propulsion including being published in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, and representing the Air Force at national and international conferences. He also worked as an electronic combat systems engineer, directly supporting the war-fighting mission of combat fighter pilots in both the Air Force and Navy. He later continued to serve his country as an Air Force reservist.
In the community, Terry served twelve years on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Central Florida, three years as Board President. He also was the band booster president and vice president at a local middle school. For over a decade he was a member of various school advisory councils. Terry has also previously volunteered as the varsity girls' and junior varsity girls' basketball and volleyball coach at Teague Middle School for several years. He has also coached several community basketball teams including both boys' and girls' traveling basketball teams. An activity which continues to exemplify his commitment to helping children is his longstanding service as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing children in child abuse and neglect cases.
