May’s military and engineering background, alongside his work with the National Defense Industrial Association, mark significant expansion of Bochner capabilities as May will Chair its Aerospace and Defense Practice
NEW YORK – January 20, 2026– Today, international boutique law firm Bochner PLLC (“Bochner”) announces that veteran intellectual property counsel Matthew J. May has joined the firm as a Partner and the Chair of its Aerospace and Defense Practice.
Over a 30-year military reserve and engineering career and more than 15 years in private legal practice, May has developed a unique footprint protecting and advancing the intellectual property rights of his clients. His experience in a wide variety of commercial areas – ranging from healthcare, medical products and sterilization processes to military and business technology to food processing and consumer products – blends seamlessly with the firm’s technology portfolio.
May’s roots in the defense and aerospace industry are a key focus in his practice development. A 1992 engineering graduate of West Point, May served in the United States Army, Illinois National Guard and Army Reserve where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He continues his passion for military service applying his legal skills as a member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), a platform through which leaders in government, industry, and academia collaborate and provide solutions to advance national security. Through his patent and intellectual property work with the NDIA, he facilitates the efforts of defense companies and government contractors to support the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and maintain military systems and readiness.
Managing Partner Andrew Bochner noted the addition of May as strengthening the firm’s already impressive reputation for world class intellectual property representation. “Matthew brings so much technical knowledge in multiple industries to bear. We are extremely excited to support and enhance his ability to serve his clients and expand the array of innovations that we facilitate as a firm.”
May welcomes the new environment. “Joining Bochner allows me to expand my role in helping support the development of new technologies and deepen my work and collaborations, particularly in the defense sector. Helping the U.S. military and defense industry maintain their technological edge is critical to creating a more peaceful and stable world,” said May.
Mr. May, previously a Principal Shareholder and Patent Attorney at Banner Witcoff, has an extensive technical background. Before entering private practice, he was an engineering manager with Baxter Healthcare, where he supervised a team of engineers and technical staff in a wide variety of commercial applications; was a project engineer for Avon Products; and also worked as a process engineer in the food and beverage industry.
About Bochner PLLC
An international boutique law firm, Bochner is dedicated to seeing industry-changing ideas implemented, hard work and creativity rewarded, and the interests of growing businesses preserved and protected. Our team of seasoned professionals help our clients artfully navigate all their legal, business, and regulatory challenges. From startup to exit, we are the trusted legal advisors to businesses of all sizes across a wide array of industries and innovation-related spaces – including software, medical devices and biotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, venture capital & finance, technology, and e-commerce, among others. In addition to its internationally recognized intellectual property team, Bochner advises on all aspects of corporate formation and operations, M&A, and commercial agreements, as well as regularly litigating eight- and nine-figure, bet-the-company commercial disputes. The firm is well recognized by industry observers for its professional achievements: Chambers USA ranks Bochner as a leading practice – “thriving and dynamic…with clientele in Europe, Japan and Korea.”
For more information visit www.bochner.law.
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Source: Bochner PLLC
