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Zareefa Flener (J.D., MSc., U.S. PTO registered) is a Patent Attorney, is the founder and managing partner of FLENER IP & BUSINESS LAW (“FLIP”) (a WBE-Certified Women-Owned business), is a Super Lawyer, and has extensive experience managing international and domestic patent and trademark portfolios in a wide range of areas. Zareefa has brought her firm to prestige via membership in the highly selective National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and is a proud member of The Richard Linn American Inn of Court.
In addition to intellectual property prosecution (“IP”), FLIP is elbows deep in contentious matters including before the TTAB and in the Federal Courts for enforcement of clients’ IP rights. FLIP continues to be highly successful in enforcing IP rights in Schedule A litigation cases, closing hundreds of online defendant stores for online infringement on sales platforms both under U.S. jurisdiction and outside.
Her dedication and responsiveness to her own clients sets her apart from others and is just one of the reasons for her honorable recognition and accolades from the international community. She is well regarded by her clients and peers, worldwide, for her attention to, and assistance with, international patent portfolios rooted in biotech including stem cells, virology, immunology, biochemical processes, cell culture, and laboratory instrument related inventions, design, mechanical, and the medical device arts. She spent almost ten years in the lab before becoming an attorney working on
She has been recognized in Managing Intellectual Property magazine as an IP Star and one of the Top 250 Women in IP, is included in the iam Patent 1000, and is a Super Lawyer.
Zareefa’s Firm, FLIP, is well regarded for counsel, strategy, and prosecution in patents, trademarks, and copyrights for companies in the SAAS arena, automobile and electrical companies, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, software and app companies, AI, medical device, and toy companies, among others. FLIP’s clients have ranged from multi-national and Fortune 500 companies, to Universities, and to solo inventors, and she is well known to apply the same high level of care and dedication to each one.
Network Memberships: National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), The Richard Linn American Inn of Court, INTA, OPEN, CHIWIP, AIPLA, AIPPI, PAT-GOT, ABA.
As a seasoned patent attorney with over a decade of experience, Vicky Jun specializes in U.S. and international patent law, offering strategic counsel to a wide range of clients—from global corporations to emerging innovators. With a robust background in engineering and a track record of success representing major players like Ericsson, Medtronic, and Bridgestone Americas, Vicky provides expert legal services in preparing, prosecuting, and defending patent applications across a broad spectrum of technologies.
Vicky’s expertise spans wireless communications, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and consumer electronics, including groundbreaking work in 5G/6G, augmented reality (AR), and mobile technologies. Whether navigating complex patent landscapes or advising on patent infringement matters, Vicky’s legal acumen ensures her clients’ innovations are protected both domestically and internationally.
With a unique background as both an engineer at Lockheed Martin and a combat veteran in the U.S. Army Reserves, Vicky offers a distinctive combination of technical expertise and real-world problem-solving skills. This blend allows her to effectively bridge the gap between legal and technical teams, offering tailored patent solutions to businesses, in-house counsel, and foreign law firms seeking guidance on U.S. patent law.
Key Areas of Expertise:
Whether you’re a business owner seeking to safeguard your intellectual property or a foreign associate looking for expert assistance navigating U.S. patent law, Vicky is dedicated to providing high-quality, results-driven legal services to help clients achieve their goals.
Jessie Yang, Ph.D. (Molecular Biology), J.D., is a U.S. PTO registered patent attorney. Her almost two decades of scientific experience in academia, biotech startups, and the medical device industry gives her an insight which is invaluable to Flener IP & Law clients.
As a veteran scientist, Jessie has extensive knowledge and expertise in biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, biocompatibility, environmental science, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical engineering, formulation, product development, and medical devices. During her science career, she received highly competitive funding, published dozens of peer-reviewed papers, obtained patents, presented at national and international conferences, and served as a peer reviewer for prestigious scientific journals. Furthermore, Jessie worked in multidisciplinary teams and supported regulatory submission efforts.
Jessie brought her rigorous scientific training and well-rounded skillsets to her legal career. After her Ph.D., post-doctoral studies, and full professorship (in China), Jessie further developed her advocacy skills at Chicago-Kent College of Law. During law school, she was a member of Law Review as well as Moot Court Honor Society and an editor of Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property. She received eight CALI awards for highest grade, graduated magna cum laude, and elected a member of the Order of the Coif. She was a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Edmond E. Chang at the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Last but not least, Jessie wrote several appellate briefs for moot court competitions and published an article titled “Enablement for Genus Claims: A Bifurcated Approach” in Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property.
Firm clients know they are in good hands with Jessie at the helm of their intellectual property matters. Jessie’s experience spans all things patent including patent preparation, drafting, counseling, prosecution, litigation support, infringement opinions, patentability and freedom to operate analysis, and landscape searches. She has also put her legal writing skills to good use in intellectual property protection and anti-counterfeiting litigation.
In her free time, Jessie likes traveling, cooking, watching movies, working out, gardening, and playing board games with her two daughters.
James Judge, JD BFA, Attorney at Law, has almost three decades of experience providing clients with creative solutions to difficult problems in all avenues of commerce including legal clients, construction companies, and performing arts organizations. He has worked with client’s nationwide since 1980. Skilled in business and corporate transactions, the majority of James’ practice is concentrated in business formation, securities, and business combinations. James also provides pro bono counsel to commercial and entertainment CEOs about company formation, selling stock, including legal ramifications and possible outcomes/strategies, and thereafter, creating the private offering or IPO to propel the vision of the company.
In his free time, James is an avid and competitive sailor. He is often heard to say that “At sea, my team and I live in constant peril”. In the business world that translates into effective counsel in perilous situations for achieving business goals from corporate strategy, to forming companies, to supervising offerings of securities, both privately and publicly. James guides corporate clients through the murkey waters of raising capital, coordinating with tax and intellectual property professionals to ensure a uniform and consistent approach to market dominance.
Nicole E. Nance J.D., is an attorney at Flener IP & Business Law, specializing in Intellectual Property. Nicole graduated from Columbia Law School in 2019 and has an avid interest in trademark and copyright law. Since graduation, Nicole has advised clients of various sizes and in a myriad of industries including fashion, food services, pharmaceuticals, non-profits, and manufacturing regarding the protection and enforcement of their intellectual property rights. She has also assisted companies with developing strategies to expand, protect, and maintain their trademark portfolios and register their trademarks domestically and internationally. Additionally, she contributed her expertise as an editor and contributor to Trade Secret Protection, A Global Guide, Second Edition.
While at Columbia Law, Nicole was a board member of several organizations including Empowering Women of Color (EWOC), the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF), and a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). She also participated in the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Internship, Frederick Douglass Moot Court, and Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic, further developing her lawyering, client counseling, and intellectual property skills. Her career goals are to protect and provide guidance to creators and innovators in the development and protection of their creations and contributions to the world including their word, slogan, logo, or color trademarks.
Nicole maintains membership in the Illinois State Bar Association and New York State Bar Association and is barred in both jurisdictions.
When not working diligently to protect client’s intellectual property rights, Nicole enjoys traveling, opera, and cooking.
Paige joined Flener IP & Business Law in 2019. She supports the firm’s trademark practice by managing the docket and preparing documents throughout the trademark lifecycle—from application to registration and maintenance. Paige holds a B.A. in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University. Before joining the firm, she worked for five years as a legal assistant in real estate law. Outside of work, she enjoys seeing films at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theater.
Taranika joined Flener IP & Business Law in 2017. She oversees the firm’s docketing system, tracks deadlines, prepares daily reports, and supports attorneys and paralegals with accurate and timely updates. She holds an associate degree in Business Administration from Fox College and previously worked in administrative roles with the Chicago Housing Authority. Outside of work, Taranika enjoys music, reading, traveling, and practicing yoga and meditation.
William Eskridge is a dedicated legal professional with a strong academic background in criminology and training as a Corporate paralegal. Holding a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a Paralegal Certificate, William offers a unique mix of analytical insight and legal expertise in the field of intellectual property law.
Currently working in the intellectual property sector, William supports the litigation team in safeguarding clients’ creative and innovative assets, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Known for his detail-oriented approach and solid understanding of case management, William plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of IP filings and enforcement strategies.
William’s criminology background enhances his ability to evaluate legal issues from a broader societal perspective, especially concerning IP enforcement, infringement investigations, and risk analysis.
In his free time, William enjoys writing, spending time with friends, and exploring the outdoors.
