Experienced Footwear Professional
Consulting and Expert Witness Servces
Experienced Footwear Professional
Consulting and Expert Witness Servces
Consulting and Expert Witness Servces
Consulting and Expert Witness Servces
Experienced in product development and production in Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, Macao, Spain, Italy, Thailand, and the Philippines
Skate Shoes, Basketball, Cross Training, Running, Tennis, Hiking, Sandals, Womens dress footwear, Mens Casual footwear, Golf, Kids shoes down to crib sizes, Snowboard Boots, Vulcanized, Cold Process, Injection molding, and many more
Principal (2011 to Present)
Offer development and sourcing consulting services for apparel and footwear merchandising and provide expert witness services for litigation. PLM Sales and Installation - Oversee all operations, including sales, marketing, product research and development, merchandising, and quality assurance. Assisted in the design and development of software that manages the development, merchandising, product line management, production, material library, pricing, and quality processes.
Consulting:
Selected Contributions:
VP of Footwear Development & Production (2001 to 2011)
Ran all footwear operations, including opening an R&D department, sourcing production in China and Vietnam, and establishing and managing a Logistics Team. Managed inventory demand, warehousing, and inbound products.
Selected Contributions:
General Manager Footwear R&D Asian Operations | Director of Footwear R&D Operations
Based in Taiwan for four years.
Oversaw US sample making, budgets, and R&D operations.
Selected Contributions:
Director of Footwear SMU Development & Sales
Supervised development and sales for SMUs
Director of Footwear SMU Development & Sales | PLM Running/Tennis/Cross-Training
Ran a $100M SMU program and designed software to streamline the development process.
Director of FW Operations
Based in Korea for 6 years.
Original member of the Airwalk brand who developed the first Airwalk prototypes, set up an Asian office, designed the first cold process skate shoe, and developed the first snowboots made in Asia
As of 1/26/2026
Litigation Support Experience (Expert Witness)
Patent disputes, Trademark cases, Quality disputes, Contractual services disputes, Product liability
2011
Case: Uggvs. Bearpaw, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Status: Settled
Project: Dissected numerous Ugg and Bearpaw products to point out material, design, and manufacturing differences.
2015
Case: Skechersvs. Converse, Irell & Manella LLP, (Trademark issues)
Status: Settled
Project: Wrote a document on the history of vulcanized shoe production, two declarations.
> Gave a deposition in Washington DC
> Testified at the International Trade Commission (ITC).
2016
Case: Adidasvs. Nike, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, (Woven shoe patent)
Status: My portion of the case was dropped
Project: Wrote a declaration on patent claims being disputed regarding circular stitching.
> Participated in a deposition in Atlanta.
Case: Skechersvs. Nike design patents, Irell & Manella LLP, (Design patents)
Status: Settled
Project: Searched for prior art, LA Downtown Library, catalog collector in Connecticut
2017
Case: Stride Rite vs. Firebug, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, (Lighted shoe patent)
Status: Won by Stride Rite
Project: Participated in preparation of a declaration,
> Participated in a deposition in in Grand Rapids.
2018
Case: Salas, Dina v. J and A Shoe Co., Inc., (Product liability)
Status: Settled
Project: Reviewed shoe in dispute and wrote a, e a report
> Participated in a deposition in Las Vegas.
2019
Case: Bauer Hockey Ltd.v. Sport Maska d.b.a. CCM Hockey, Gowling WLG, (Patent issue)
Status: Won by my client
Project: Reviewed patent in question and historical patent references. Wrote 2 depositions.
> Testimony in front of a court in Montreal.
My testimony was cited several times in the decision as a determining factor in the final decision.
2020
Case: Skechers vs Nike, Irell & Manella LLP, (3 separate patents/cases at issue)
Status: Settled
Project: Review historical printed information and consulted on patent at issue.
Case: Skechers vs Golden Goose, Irell & Manella LLP, (3 separate trademarks at issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Review historical printed evidence and wrote a deposition and a rebuttal.
Case: Not able list the case as the record is sealed, (Quality issue/Arbitration)
Status: In favor of my client
Project: Review various production and sample products. Wrote a deposition.
> Testified via Zoom before the Arbitration Court
My testimony was cited in the decision as a determining factor in the final decision.
2021
Case: Tory Burch vs Olem, Winston & Straw LLP, (Trademark issues)
Status: Settled out of court
Project: Wrote deposition and rebuttal.
2022
Case: Adidas vs NAFTA Traders, Markowitz Herbold PC, (Contractual sales agreement issue)
Status: Pending, trial planned in 2023
Project: Submitted written report
Case: Walmart vs Deckers Outdoor Corp., Garson, Ségal, Steinmetz, Fladgate LLP, (Design Patent issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Did research and prepared written report.
> Participated in a deposition via Zoom
Case: F21 vs Airwair, Katten Munchin Roseman LLP, (Trademark issue)
Status: 2023 Settled in favor of my client
Project: Did research and prepared written report, wrote a rebuttal report
> Participated in a deposition via Zoom
Quote from lead law firm Partner – “It really was a pleasure to work with you. I think your reports really helped us be in a position to resolve this.”
Case: Evan Appel/Integra vs Propper (Quality Issues)
Status: Pending
Project: Prepared written report
2023
Case: Chiurazzi Law Group vs Rocky Brands (personal injury case)
Status: Pending
Project: Review product in question and wrote a report
Case: Jamar Law/Customs by Ilene Incvs Arnold Porter Law/Nike, (Trademark issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Compared products and wrote a rebuttal report
> Participated in a deposition via Zoom
Case: Eversheds Sutherland/PT. HTM/Mega vs Rocky Brands, (Quality Issues)
Status: Pending
Project: Inspected product in WH
Case: Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP Walmart, Inc./ACI vs Vans Inc., (Trademark issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Did research and prepared written report, wrote a rebuttal report.
> Participated in a deposition in person in Los Angeles
2024
Case: Goldberg Cohen LLP/ Next Step Groupvs Deckers Outdoor Corp., (Design Patent issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Prepared written report
Case: Consulted with Law-firm - Kneupper & Coveyon a product warranty issue (Product warranty issue)
Status: Complete
Project: Reviewed product and product warranty, gave a verbal opinion
Case: McAndrews LLP/ Primark Groupvs Deckers Outdoor Corp., (Design Patent issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Prepared written report, prepare a rebuttal report
> Participated in a deposition via Zoom
Case: Skechers vs Golden Goose, Irell & Manella LLP, (3 separate trademarks at issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Review historical printed evidence
> Participated in an in-person deposition
Case: Adidas vs NAFTA Traders, Markowitz Herbold PC, (Contractual sales agreement issue)
Status: Settled out of court
Project: Was in process of a rebuttal report writing when the case settled
Case: Consulted with Law-firm - Hilgers Grabenon a product warranty issue (Product quality and personal injury)
Status: Complete
Project: Reviewed product and product warranty, gave a verbal opinion
2025
Case: Joybees/Kutak Rock vs Crocs (patent infringement and other issues)
Reviewed all pertinent documentation and wrote a deposition and a reply declaration
> Participated in an in-person deposition.
Status: Pending
Case: Next Step Group/Goldberg Cohen LLP vs Deckers Outdoor Corp., (Design Patent issue)
Status: Continued from 2025, Pending
Project: Brought on a Designer Friend to give drawn and written opinions
Case: White Mountain/Meister Seelig & Fien PLLC vs Birkenstock, (Design Patent issue)
Status: Pending
Project: Reviewed pertinent documentation, wrote initial deposition.
Travelled to NYC to meet with Layers and discuss future work efforts.
2026
Case: Consulted with Law-firm – Maginnis Howard on a product warranty issue (Product quality and personal injury)
Status: Pending
Project: Reviewed product, prepared a written opinion
#8640291 (Issued 2/4/14) “The sole may include a bladder which extends an entire length of a foot.”
#7832118 (Issued 11/16/10) “Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts.”
#8276296 (Issued 7/6/09) “Dynamically responsive shock attenuation system for footwear.”
#7278226 (Issued 10/9/07) “Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts.”
#7020988 (Issued 4/4/06) “Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts.”
#8640291 (Pending) “A vulc style and cupsole style footwear and a method for manufacturing.”