Laura Witbeck's practice emphasizes patent prosecution in the areas of materials science and engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.  Notably, Laura has extensive experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, including downhole tools technology, novel materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.  Laura is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS in Materials Sciences and Engineering, and a J.D. from Brigham Young University.  She is a member of the Junior League of Houston, Committee member, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Board member, Houston Area Georgia Tech Alumni Association, and Pro bono attorney, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND.)

Dan started with Halliburton's Sperry Drilling unit 30 years ago, developing downhole tools, and progressing through engineering and program management roles. In his current role Dan oversees the company’s patent portfolio, and supports the company’s technology ventures function which includes sponsored research, cooperative development, and M&A diligence. Dan holds a BS Engineering degree from Cornell University. He is inventor on 20 US patents, and is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLPTM). Dan is one of the founding sponsors of Houston Technology Center’s Energy Program, and has served on boards of RPSEA (Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America) and the AEC (Advanced Energy Consortium).

Charles is a professional geoscientist and US intellectual property attorney with over thirty years’ experience in the oil & gas industry, over twenty of those years with Conoco.  He is on the Program Committee for the Houston-based Offshore Technology Conference and Chairs their OTC-SEG committee.  He was on the steering committee for the Society of Petroleum Engineers – Subsea Facilities Management Advanced Technology Workshop, holds the DuPont Engineering Excellence Award for advancements in seismic imaging, and was member of the multi-industry team that developed a new method of drilling deep water wells on the seafloor, now being implemented by Chevron.  He provides executive and upper management support, including deployment of his “Lost Secrets of Edison” technology commercialization program. He is partner at Arnold, Knobloch & Saunders, LLP, a US patent and intellectual property firm that specializes in strategic positioning of intellectual property around the world.