Press Releases

Offit Kurman Welcomes Mary (Kristi) Nicholes as Counsel in Intellectual Property Law

April 11, 2025
Offit Kurman Welcomes Mary (Kristi) Nicholes as Counsel in Intellectual Property Law

Offit Kurman is pleased to announce that Mary (Kristi) Nicholes has joined the firm as Counsel, bringing a wealth of experience in intellectual property law.

Kristi began her career as a chemical engineer and inventor in the semiconductor industry before transitioning into patent law. She advises clients in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and cannabis industries, guiding them from initial invention to commercialization. With over 15 years of legal experience, she has successfully managed large patent portfolios for U.S. and international clients.

Her background in science and engineering enables her to navigate complex technologies, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, mining and materials science. Kristi is known for her ability to overcome legal and technical challenges, secure broad patent protection and develop strategic intellectual property solutions.

Firm Highlights

  • Podcasts
    Artful Donations: Exploring Museum Exchange
    In this episode of The Legal Canvas, host Caryn Keppler welcomes Robert Wainstein and Michael Darling, co-founders of Museum Exchange, the first digital platform dedicated to facilitating art donations to museums and nonprofit institutions across North America. Together, they explore how technology is transforming the way collectors, artists, estates, and cultural organizations connect through charitable giving. Robert and Michael explain the inspiration behind Museum Exchange, the challenges they set out to solve, and how the platform has grown into a network of more than 400 museums. They walk listeners through the donation process—from evaluating artwork and matching donors with institutions to handling logistics, documentation, and tax considerations. Along the way, they discuss the realities of museum collecting, why many donations are declined, and how thoughtful placements can help preserve artists' legacies while expanding access to important works of art. The conversation also explores Museum Exchange's work with living artists, artist estates, hospitals, universities, and smaller regional museums, as well as the launch of the Charis Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit designed to steward significant collections before placing them with institutions that can best benefit from them. Robert and Michael conclude by sharing their vision for the future of charitable art transactions and how Museum Exchange is helping reshape philanthropy in the arts for generations to come.