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Galster juggles patent work and litigation

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//August 30, 2011//

Galster juggles patent work and litigation

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//August 30, 2011//

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WLJ Photo by Kevin Harnack

Intellectual property attorney Garet Galster has a few unusual office decorations.

In his windowsill hangs an emesis container, also known as a barf bag. This particular variation was a product dreamed up by a client and is especially useful in emergencies, explained Galster, 34.

“I’m a past first-responder myself, so I really latched onto it and believed in it. We were able to get two patents issued for it,” he said. “It was a long process. [The client] eventually took it to a national conference of EMS providers and he earned the Product of the Year award.”

Also adorning Galster’s office is the 1970 patent plaque awarded to his grandfather, Raymond Sheda, who invented a filtering unit for rural wastewater treatment systems. Witnessing the pride his grandfather took in creating a helpful, patented product set Galster down his career path, he said.

During his five years in practice, Galster has drafted and filed more 100 patent applications and negotiated many more, he said.

He also litigates. Among Galster’s achievements in that area: he successfully defended Humane Milwaukee, a small nonprofit that helps animals, in a trademark infringement dispute. The case settled to his client’s satisfaction, he said.

Had the litigation proceeded to trial, however, it’s very likely the nonprofit would have had to shut down, Galster said.

— Jane Pribek

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

I worked as an electrical engineer for a few years before law school and enjoyed it.  I’d probably still be doing that.

What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

It’s all about my kids right now. I have a daughter who’s 4, Ella, and a son who’s 18 months, Quinn. But I also coach ice hockey at the high school level. I love being on the ice with the players. It’s a blast.

What was your favorite toy as a child?

A simple ball. The possibilities are endless.

What famous person you would most like to have a drink with?

You didn’t specify if the person has to be living or dead, so I’ll pick Albert Einstein.

What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?

I love our state parks and bicycling over some of those hills.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To better manage my expectations of both myself and others. They tend to be high; I’m very passionate about everything I do.

What trait do you most like in others?

Courtesy. It annoys me to no end when people think only of themselves.

What is the first concert you went to?

Dave Matthews Band

Who are your favorite writers?

I don’t have much time for reading right now, with little kids. So I’ll have to go with Dr. Seuss.

What are you craving right now?

Although it’s only 10:30 a.m., a nice, crisp pale ale. I brew my own beer with my wife. We grow our own hops, too.

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