Charles P. Schmal

Chuck helps businesses develop, protect, and manage their intellectual property portfolios both domestically and internationally. For nearly 20 years, Chuck has obtained patent protection for his clients’ inventions in a wide range of technologies including those related to automotive, hybrid vehicle, lubricant filtration, control systems, electronic, computer/software, material handling, diagnostic, and medical device technologies.

He knows that a client’s intellectual property portfolio must complement their overall business strategy and recognizes that intellectual property rarely has value unless a business makes money from what it protects. Chuck counsels clients on identifying, protecting, licensing, and reviewing the value of their technologies. His experience includes patent application drafting and prosecution, intellectual property portfolio management, patent opinion and clearance, licensing, and trademark prosecution.

Chuck has been a guest speaker on intellectual property matters at a number of national universities as well as internationally on behalf of the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation. An adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Chuck teaches the school’s International Intellectual Property Law class.

Prior to joining the firm, Chuck worked as an engineer as well as in numerous other positions in the television industry for Thomson Consumer Electronics and was selected for Thomson’s Technical Leadership Program (TTLP). From this experience, Chuck understands the need to provide clients with consistent, predictable estimates for projects, and more importantly, meeting clients’ deadlines and budgetary needs.

Attorney News

Professional Affiliations

• Indiana State Bar Association
  • Chair of Intellectual Property Law Section, 2017
  • Representative on Indiana Supreme Court's E-Filing Committee
  • Chair of Casemaker Improvement Committee, 2015
  • Chair of the Technology Committee, 2009-2010
  • Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee
  • Leadership Development Academy Committee
  • Leadership Development Academy Class I
• Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Chair of Innovation Council, 2020
  • Vice President, 2017
  • Chair of Professionalism Committee, 2014-2015
  • Chair Indy Attorneys Network Section, 2012-2013
  • Bar Leader Series, Class VII
• Indianapolis Bar Foundation
  • Board of Directors, 2019-2023
• Sagamore Inn of Court

Speaking Engagements

• Adjunct Professor, International Intellectual Property class, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2009-present
• Guest speaker on Intellectual Property, Purdue University Entrepreneurship Program, 2011-present
• Presenter, “What You Need to Know About Support Staff’s Role in the Success of Your Career,” Applied Professionalism Course , Indianapolis Bar Association, 2014 – present
• Presenter, Protecting Intellectual Property in the Age of AI, Indiana State Bar Association, April 1, 2024
• Presenter, “Protecting your Intellectual Property: Develop, protect and monetize your innovative solutions,” , The Center for Collaborative Innovation at the University of Indianapolis R.B. Annis School of Engineering, March 22, 2022
• Presenter, “Protecting your Intellectual Property: Turning your innovative solutions into assets,” , The Center for Collaborative Innovation at the University of Indianapolis R.B. Annis School of Engineering, March 23, 2021
• Guest Speaker, “The Value of Intellectual Property Protection from a Business Perspective,” , The Center for Collaborative Innovation at the University of Indianapolis R.B. Annis School of Engineering, March 3, 2020
• Speaker, An Introduction to Intellectual Property Law- Protecting your Client’s Most Valuable Assets, Downtown Continuing Education’s CLE Program, November 2017
• Presenter, Patent Review Proceedings at the Patent Office, Indiana State Bar Association, September 2017
• Speaker and Panelist, International Symposium on Intellectual Property Financing, International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 2015
• Presenter, Count Me In: What Motivates Trademark & Patent Examiners to Allow Your Case, Indiana State Bar Association, Spring 2014
• Presenter, Transitioning to the AIA, Indiana State Bar Association, Spring 2013

Civic & Community Involvement

• Ball State Entrepreneurship Center
  • Past Chair of Entrepreneurship Board
  • E-Day Judge, New Venture Creation Course, 2011-2021
  • Business Plan Judge for 2010 Enterprise Eight Business Plan Tournament
  • Business Plan Judge for 2009 Nascent 500 Business Plan Challenger secretary, 2004-2009
• Purdue Club of Boone County
  • Past President, 2014-2016
  • Past Treasurer, 2012-2013
• Indianapolis Zoo
  • Vice-chair of event logistics for the Elegant Vintages Wine Auction, 2004-2009
• Friends of Boone County Trails
  • Founding member and former secretary, 2004-2009