Michael Z. Untalan

Michael Z. Untalan obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1992. He obtained a degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines in 1987.

He is a partner at Bengzon Negre Untalan (BNU) Intellectual Property Attorneys, a boutique IP law firm based in Makati City. BNU is the only law office in the Philippines whose practice is exclusively dedicated to intellectual property law.

Prior to joining BNU as a partner, he was a senior associate at the Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose Law Offices. Mr. Untalan worked with the firm's litigation department and intellectual property practice group. He was also involved in the firm's general corporate and commercial practice where he provided legal assistance to clients in various business transactions.

Mr. Untalan advised both local and international clients, including leading multinational pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies, foreign law firms and professional groups in relevant areas of intellectual property and information technology. While his practice focused on intellectual property matters, particularly registration and enforcement, he also represented clients in various capacities.

He regularly attends seminars and conferences on intellectual property in the Philippines and abroad, and is active in international organizations such as the International Trademark Association and Asian Patent Attorneys Association. He has firmly established professional relationships with overseas intellectual property practitioners, as well as the Philippine Intellectual Property Office and other stakeholders in the IP industry. He is a member of the Licensing Executives Society of the Philippines and the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines.