CONCORD, N.H.—The Franklin Pierce Center at the University of New Hampshire School of Law has announced that Micky Minhas, vice president and chief patent counsel for Microsoft Incorporated, will join the faculty as the Franklin Pierce Distinguished Professor of Intellectual Property Practice. In addition to teaching in both the fall and spring semesters, Minhas will provide strategic guidance on cutting-edge IP curriculum at UNH Law.

Minhas is a 1997 graduate of UNH Law (then Franklin Pierce Law Center), where he earned JD and LLM degrees. He is head of patent strategy in his current role for Microsoft, where he has worked since 2012. Minhas will retain his position with Microsoft.

“We are beyond thrilled to have an intellectual property expert of Micky’s caliber join us,” said Megan Carpenter, dean of UNH Law. “We are proud to offer our students an education that includes leaders in cutting-edge IP practice. Micky has long been a beloved member of our UNH Law community, and we’re honored that faculty, staff and students will now be able to consider him a colleague and mentor. His presence will only further strengthen our standing as an international intellectual property powerhouse.”

For more than six years, Minhas has managed the Microsoft patent group that is primarily responsible for outbound and inbound intellectual property licensing, patent strategy, patent acquisitions and divestitures, and managing patent preparation and prosecution of patents. He is a frequent speaker on patent and patent licensing topics worldwide.

“I am excited for the opportunity to become a member of UNH Law’s outstanding faculty,” Minhas said. “As a proud graduate, the school has always held a special place in my heart. I’m eager to return to the institution that launched my law career and to help UNH Law build on its already sterling global reputation in IP.”

Prior to joining Microsoft, Minhas spent 13 years at Qualcomm Incorporated in San Diego, California, ultimately serving as vice president of patent strategy. He was responsible for developing patent and licensing strategies for Qualcomm’s multi-billion-dollar patent licensing program.

While at Qualcomm, Minhas embraced a wide range of roles and responsibilities, including worldwide responsibility for preparation and filing of patents, litigation preparation and arbitrations, and acquisitions. He also served as head of the company’s European Patent Oppositions practice.

Prior to earning his degrees from UNH Law, Minhas earned a master’s in electrical engineering from George Washington University and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Marquette University.