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Five Partners Recognized in Legal 500 City Elite Rankings
Five Cantor Colburn partners are recognized by the Legal 500 in its inaugural City Elite rankings for Atlanta. The City Elite category spotlights standout attorneys driving innovation and growth in key U.S. cities.
Atlanta Elite
Christine Wilkes Beninati has more than two decades of experience in intellectual property law, including in‑house work at United Technologies Corporation and private practice. Her background provides a combined business and legal perspective, and she advises multinational clients engaged in significant domestic and international intellectual property activities.
David Kincaid co-chairs the firm’s Artificial Intelligence Practice Group. He advises domestic and international clients on developing and executing patent strategies for complex electrical and computer technologies, with particular strength in software and artificial intelligence. David brings a combined law-firm and in-house perspective from his prior role as patent counsel at Hewlett‑Packard, enabling him to deliver practical, cost‑effective IP solutions aligned with business objectives. He works with clients across a wide range of industries, including high-tech, automotive, energy, aerospace, manufacturing, communications, and e-commerce, and is widely recognized for his leadership and thought leadership in AI-related patenting.
David Rodrigues, Ph.D. is a partner at Cantor Colburn LLP and co-chair of the firm’s Chemical and Materials Sciences Practice. He advises international clients on patent preparation, prosecution, due diligence, opinion work, and strategic portfolio development across a broad range of sophisticated technologies. With more than 25 years of experience and a doctorate in materials engineering, David brings deep technical insight and practical industry knowledge to matters involving polymers, chemicals, energy systems, optics, nanotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. His background includes senior research and manufacturing roles at General Electric and Armstrong World Industries, enabling him to guide clients in building IP portfolios that support large‑scale production, commercialization, and long‑term business objectives.
Karl Vick has more than 20 years of experience advising clients on the strategic procurement, management, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property assets. He brings a uniquely deep in‑house perspective from senior leadership roles at Ford, GE, Raytheon, and Cardinal Health, where he served as both Chief IP Counsel and Senior Vice President. Karl is known for integrating intellectual property strategy into core business processes, identifying high‑value innovations aligned with business objectives, and applying disciplined management principles to IP functions. He has advised clients across a wide range of industries and technologies, including electronics, automotive, healthcare, telecommunications, satellites, power generation, and electromechanical systems, and is a frequent speaker on IP strategy and portfolio management.
Jeffrey Waters' practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting patents for mechanical and electrical innovations, with particular experience in software‑enabled technologies. He advises clients on patent strategy across areas including artificial intelligence, GPS, e‑commerce, semiconductor devices, and telecommunications. In addition to patent prosecution, Jeff brings broad experience in due diligence, non‑infringement and invalidity opinions, and counseling product development teams on managing infringement risk and maximizing portfolio value. His background also includes defending clients in multiple patent infringement litigations, providing him with a well‑rounded perspective on protecting intellectual property throughout its full lifecycle.
