Area of Practice: Technology Licensing and Commercialization; Startups; Business Wes Blakeslee is a lawyer, engineer and entrepreneur, Former Executive Director of the Johns Hopkins University technology transfer office, and founder of Blakeslee & Wallace, PC. Wes provides legal and consulting services to universities, startups, corporations, inventors and entrepreneurs in matters of technology transfer, operations, sponsored research, business formation, moving technology to market, and expert witness services in these and related areas. Wes also provides support to universities and corporations regarding policies, particularly intellectual property, conflicts of interest and commitment and sponsored research policies, as well as faculty dispute resolution services A former NASA engineer, and a lawyer (U. MD Law School), Wes joined the General Counsel's office at Johns Hopkins University, and in 2006, was appointed Executive Director of Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer. A Penn State Grad, Wes was named Engineering Alumnus of the Year for 2013.

Mario Miguel Blanch was born in New York City and moved to North Bergen, New Jersey when he was four years old. Graduating from North Bergen High School, Mario attended Rutgers University where he went on to obtain a degree in Economics. After college Mario was given a scholarship to attend Seton Hall School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate Degree. During law school, Mario participated in the Essex County Public Defender’s Juvenile Justice Clinic representing juveniles accused of crimes. During his time with the clinic, which was done under the guidance of Attorney Philip Ross, Mario successfully argued before a number of judges and represented youths accused of very serious crimes including drug dealing, aggravated assault, and carjacking. Immediately after law school, Mario’s first legal job was a clerkship in the Bergen County Chancery Division where he clerked for the Honorable Marguerite T. Simon the presiding judge of the chancery division. In the Chancery Division, Mario worked on foreclosure matters, probate matters, and complex litigation involving business disputes and partnerships. Upon successful completion of his clerkship, Mario went on to work for David Kessler and Associates a law firm dedicated to real estate and litigation located in Livingston, New Jersey. During his time with David Kessler, Mario learned to handle trials and appeals. Within nine months of joining David Kessler and Associates, Mario was gaining a reputation as a serious litigator and was developing a clientele of his own. It was in April 2004 where Mario decided to open his own law office dedicated to criminal litigation and real estate. Since opening his office in April 2004, Mario has handled a number of high-profile cases and hundreds of real estate closings.

RYAN BLANCH is a highly sought-after crisis and brand management attorney whose law firm and PR agency work together to resolve crises and launch brands. He has navigated legal and media landscapes for private equity funds and international airlines facing criminal charges as well as C-suite execs of publicly traded companies facing #MeToo and malfeasance allegations. Ryan Blanch is the founder and lead attorney of The Blanch Law Firm. Mr. Blanch is an experienced New York criminal defense lawyer handling white-collar criminal cases and other major felonies in New York. Mr. Blanch’s work has been published in law review and op-ed articles for UCLA and Pace University. While studying at a nationally ranked, top-tier law school, Mr. Blanch was a member of Law Review and the Criminal Law Society. Prior to graduating, Mr. Blanch worked as an intern prosecutor with both the Los Angeles and San Francisco District Attorneys’ Offices. There he prosecuted hundreds of felonies at probable cause hearings in criminal court under the supervision of the District Attorney’s . He went on to continue his legal career working as a lawyer at a large New York (and international) law firm. Mr. Blanch has appeared as a criminal law commentator on FOX News Live. He has been covered in Page 6 of the NY Post and his cases have been featured in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In 2014, Ryan Blanch was selected as a Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters, an honor only 5% of lawyers per state can hold. From Super Lawyers: Bar associations and courts across the country have recognized the legitimacy of the Super Lawyers selection process. Most recently, the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the findings of a Special Master assigned by the court to, among other things, examine the details of our process. In his July 2008 report, the Special Master lauded our lawyer-rating process, stating: “[The Super Lawyers selection process] is a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers that have attained high peer recognition, meet ethical standards, and have demonstrated some degree of achievement in their field.”

Michael A. Blanchard is a Director who was admitted to practice before the Connecticut Bar in 1982, the Massachusetts Bar in 1985, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Bar in 1992. Attorney Blanchard received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Mathematics from Assumption College in 1979 and his Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law in 1982. His practice concentration is in criminal and family law. In his criminal practice Attorney Blanchard has appeared in Part B (misdemeanor) and Part A (serious felony) courts throughout the state. His diversified criminal cases have included murder, felony and misdemeanor assault, sexual assault, computer crimes, manslaughter and drunk driving defense. Attorney Blanchard has assisted those accused of crimes and their families throughout his legal career. Attorney Blanchard has testified as an expert witness concerning the standard of representation in criminal cases. Attorney Blanchard’s varied family practice has included fully contested custody cases, relocation issues and allegations involving both physical and sexual abuse of children. He has served as a court appointed guardian ad litem representing children’s best interests in contested custody matters. Attorney Blanchard has served as a Special Master in the Regional Family Trial Docket since its inception, teaming with child psychologists to conduct full day pre-trials in highly contested custody cases. He has served as a Special Master in New London and Middlesex counties, conducting pre-trials in contested family matters. Attorney Blanchard has been appointed and currently serves on the Family Commission, a committee dedicated to reviewing and revising practice book rules in the family law area. Attorney Blanchard also served on The Child and Custody Matters Work Group, a committee organized to create and administer a training module for court appointed attorneys who represent minor children in contested custody cases. Attorney Blanchard is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, New London County Bar Association and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Bar Association. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Connecticut Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Attorney Blanchard is an appointed member of the Windham County Grievance Panel. He is a member of the Labor & Employment and Sports and Entertainment law sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. Since 2019, Attorney Blanchard has been recognized by Super Lawyers ® for his work in criminal defense; no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected for this honor. He was named to Best Lawyers in America 2023 Edition for Criminal Defense. An Academic All-American and All-New England baseball player in college, he has coached numerous youth sports. Attorney Blanchard has been inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame at Assumption College. He continues his involvement with young athletes as an advisor and agent.

Andrew Blanchfield is a sought-after trial and appellate lawyer with over 30 years of courtroom experience, including dozens of large, complex jury trials, and a reputation for forthrightness and civility. His focus is on the defense of clients from various sectors, including industrial services, engineering, oil and gas services and healthcare in commercial litigation, professional liability and breach of contract and other employment issues. In addition, he has represented corporations – both based in Louisiana and throughout the U.S. – in complex litigation, often involving catastrophic accidents and serious injuries. Drew's professional liability representations have involved nursing homes, hospitals, medical malpractice claims, legal malpractice, architects and engineers. For years, the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General has relied on Drew to handle difficult, major exposure cases defending state agencies. He has argued cases involving the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals, the Louisiana Public Safety & Corrections, Louisiana State University and other state entities In 2019, Drew was inducted as a Fellow in The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), which is an invitation only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers from the United States and Canada. Membership is limited to 1% of the total membership of each state's practicing attorneys. There are more than 19,000 licensed attorneys in the state of Louisiana and just over 100 are members of The American College of Trial Lawyers. He has served as the Managing Partner of Keogh Cox since 2008. Prior to joining the firm in 1997, Drew served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Marcel Livaudais, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, from 1985 to 1987, and was later in private practice in New Orleans from 1987 to 1997.