Michael A. Essien is the Principal and Counsel at Essien Law Office, PLLC, where he focuses on intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and e-commerce. With a unique blend of corporate and law firm experience, Mr. Essien guides clients through patent and trademark prosecution, copyright protection, strategic planning, and technology transfer agreements. He is recognized as an international IP consultant, particularly supporting research institutions in Africa. Mr. Essien’s practice also spans business entity formation, licensing, agreement negotiations, and litigation management. Serving as legal counsel to several nonprofits, he advises on organizational and IRS matters. Admitted in Minnesota and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Mr. Essien is an active member of numerous professional associations and an adjunct professor at Concordia and Strayer Universities. Prior to law, he worked as a product development engineer at 3M, holds two U.S. patents, and has extensive experience in process engineering and startups. Mr. Essien earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, where he contributed to Law Review and received the Alumni Association Student Award of Merit. He remains active in community and professional organizations.