James E. Malackowski, CPA, CLP

Chief Intellectual Property Officer, J.S. Held Co-founder and Senior Managing Director, Ocean Tomo

  • North Miami Beach FL

IP Hall of Fame inductee | LES Gold Medal Recipient | Technology Licensing Testifying Expert | Board Director | On Air Tech Expert

Contact

J.S. Held LLC

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Biography

James E. Malackowski is a top IP expert with substantial experience as a Board Director for leading technology corporations, research organizations, and companies with brand management issues.

Mr. Malackowski has served as an expert in U.S. Federal Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, State Court, Court of Chancery, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Federal Court of Australia, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and global arbitrations on questions relating to intellectual property economics including the subject of valuation, reasonable royalty, lost profits, price erosion, commercial success, corrective advertising, creditor allocations, Hatch Waxman Act market exclusivity, business significance of licensing terms including RAND obligations and exhaustion, venture financing including expected risk / return, the existence of markets or potential markets to assess copyright fair use, and equities of a potential injunction.

Mr. Malackowski’s experience extends to matters of general business valuation and commercial disputes, both domestic and foreign. Mr. Malackowski has publicly addressed policy issues affecting international trade and has provided expert opinions concerning antidumping and countervailing duties imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce as well as testimony on domestic industry, bond, and remedies before the International Trade Commission.

Mr. Malackowski is a frequent speaker on emerging technology markets and related financial measures. He has addressed mass media audiences including Bloomberg Morning Call, Bloomberg Evening Market Pulse, Bloomberg Final Word, CNBC Closing Bell, CNBC On the Money, CNBC Street Signs, CNBC Worldwide Exchange, CBS News Radio and Fox Business National Television as well as other recognized news-based internet video channels. Mr. Malackowski is a current or past judge for numerous new venture competitions awarding financial grants recognizing intellectual property protected products and services developed by students, university faculty, and professional entrepreneurs.

Mr. Malackowski has more than twenty issued U.S. patents. He is a frequent instructor for graduate studies on IP management and markets. Recently, Mr. Malackowski has lectured on application of intangible asset valuation models to corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, including applicability of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to investment decisions.

Industry Expertise

Financial Services
Business Services
Investment Management
Non-Profit/Charitable
Research

Areas of Expertise

Regulatory and Reporting Obligations
Corporate Accounting Investigations
Advisory Services
Management Consulting
Business Strategy
Financial Services
Intellectual Property
Intangible Assets

Accomplishments & Recognitions

The LES Gold Medal

2025
The Licensing Executives Society International (LES)

IP Hall of Fame Q. Todd Dickinson Award

2022
IP Hall of Fame Academy

IP Hall of Fame Inductee, 87th member

2022
IP Hall of Fame Academy

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Media Appearances

Interview with James E. Malackowski, the Founder of Ocean Tomo – Patent Auctions, Managing Patent Portfolios, Blockchain in the Field of IP, the Market For Data Rights

IP Fridays podcast  online

2025-01-31

In this episode of IP Fridays, I speak with James E. Malackowski, an intellectual property (IP) pioneer best known for founding Ocean Tomo. James shares how Ocean Tomo introduced the world’s first large-scale public auctions for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He also explains how these auctions helped create market-based “price discovery” for IP assets—something that had never been done so openly before.

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Multinationals in Australia will feel Pepsi tax defeat for years

Clayton Utz  online

2023-12-21

Having found that a royalty arose, the court needed to quantify it. It ultimately accepted that a relief from royalty method was most appropriate, adopting part of the analysis of the ATO’s expert, James Malackowski, in arriving at a rate of 5.88% of net revenue.

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Strategy 300 Global Leaders 2024 - James E Malackowski

IAM  online

2023-11-30

James Malackowski is co-founder of Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held. Along with Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, he was inducted as the 87th member of the IP Hall of Fame. On more than 100 occasions, Mr Malackowski has served as an expert in various US and international courts, the USPTO PTAB and global arbitrations on questions relating to IP economics, licensing and damages.

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Affiliations

  • United States Intellectual Property Alliance - USIPA : Founding Board Member and Member of the Executive Committee
  • The World Economic Forum: 2011 Network of Global Agenda Councils
  • University of Notre Dame – Venture Builders Community : Judge
  • Young President’s Organization : Member YPO Gold Miami
  • Private Directors Association : Member
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Articles

Evolving Landscape of Technology Rights Enforcement

JD Supra

2025

Established 25 years ago at the turn of the century by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World IP Day celebrates the unique contributions made by global inventors and creators. Over the past half century, intangible asset value has skyrocketed from 17% of S&P 500 market value in 1975, to 68% in 1995, to more than 90% today. Ocean Tomo leadership and their predecessor firms have been an active participant in IP markets for decades and have seen this evolution firsthand.

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Peeling Back the Value: Why Art Is Worth More Than Meets the Eye

Claims Journal

2025

Not since “Banksy’s Girl with Balloon” unexpectedly self-destructed on the Sotheby’s auction floor has a work of art made such a sensation as the “duct-taped banana.”

When Italian-born, New York-based artist Maurizio Cattelan debuted “Comedian” at Gallery Perrotin’s booth at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, it drew such a massive crowd it had to be removed from the wall. It immediately went viral and stimulated worldwide discussions and debates about the nature and value of art. It caused equal parts outrage and intrigue and left many asking – how is this conglomeration art?

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Emerging IP monetisation solutions: The institutionalisation of an IP exchange

International Journal of Intellectual Property Management

2012

This paper examines whether moving licensing from the traditional bilateral contract model to an exchange model will lead to more efficient price discovery and, ultimately, more liquidity in the market for IP rights transfer. Using the recently created Chicago-based Intellectual Property Exchange International (IPXI) as a model, we address the rationale for such an exchange and the mechanisms by which it can operate. We contend that IPXI's business model, which is built around unit licence right (ULR) contracts - which may be seen as a paid-up non-exclusive licence to the purchaser - addresses some of the current inefficiencies in IP management. However, the market efficiency that is needed to turn IP rights into a liquid asset inevitably takes time to evolve. Without community support for and participation in the exchange, from both buyers and sellers, the market cannot be established.

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Social

Patents

IP CONTENT DISCOVERY PLATFORM

20170132732

2017

A medium is disclosed that incorporates instructions including: a user interface module that receives from a user a first work-targeting input, the first work associated with intellectual property; an asset identifier module that identifies automatically, based on a relation to the first work-targeting input, the first work; the user interface module receiving, as a first work-adapting input, from the user, an input for adapting, modifying or creating a derivative work from the first work; and an adaptation generator module that generates automatically a record of a grant in rights in the adaptation of the first work according to the first work-adapting input, and provides a report of the grant in the adaptation of the first work to the user.

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Eyewear with exchangeable temples housing a radio frequency transceiver

9244292

2016

A wireless ad hoc pico network is formed by eyewear having a radio frequency transceiver and other devices such as a computer, a bracelet and a telephone having similar transceivers mounted on them. Master slave relationships are configurable. Other devices, such as a radio, a CD player, a hand held global positioning satellite system and a heart rate monitor, having similar transceivers, can also be connected with the transceiver of the eyewear. The transceivers operate on a globally available, unlicensed radio band of 2.45 gigahertz (GHz).

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EYEWEAR WITH EXCHANGEABLE TEMPLES HOUSING A RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSCEIVER

20160109729

2015

A wireless ad hoc network may be formed by eyewear having a radio frequency transceiver with other devices having compatible radio frequency transceivers. The transceivers may operate in an unlicensed radio frequency band at 2.45 GHz. The eyewear may include at least one detachable temple, and the radio frequency transceiver of the eyewear may be embedded in the at least one detachable temple. Other devices may also be embedded in the at least one detachable temple. The at least one detachable temple may be electrically connected to a frame of the eyewear when in an open position.

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Languages

  • English

Education

University of Notre Dame

B.B.A.

1985

With majors in Accountancy and Philosophy. Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Licenses and Certifications

CLP

Certified Licensing Professional
Certificate Number 1606
Issued July 1, 2008; Recertification through November 30, 2023.

Registered Certified Public Accountant

State of Illinois Certificate Number 41,187
License No. 239.007831
Issued October 3, 2006; Expires September 30, 2024.

Certified in Financial Forensics, CFF™

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Certificate Number 391
Issued July 31, 2008; Expires August 1, 2024.

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Spotlight

9 min

The Impact of Counterfeit Goods in Global Commerce

Introduction Counterfeiting has been described as “the world’s second oldest profession.” In 2018, worldwide counterfeiting was estimated to cost the global economy between USD 1.7 trillion and USD 4.5 trillion annually, as well as resulting in more than 70 deaths and 350,000 serious injuries annually. It is estimated that more than a quarter of US consumers have purchased a counterfeit product. The counterfeiting problem is expected to be exacerbated by the unprecedented shift in tariff policy. Tariffs, designed as an import tax or duty on an imported product, are often a percentage of the price and can have different values for different products. Tariffs drive up the cost of imported brand name products but may not, or only to a lesser extent, impact the cost of counterfeit goods. In this article, we examine the extent of the global counterfeit dilemma, the role experts play in tracking and mitigating the problem, the use of anti-counterfeiting measures, and the potential impact that tariffs may have on the flow of counterfeit goods. Brand goods have always been a target of counterfeits due to their high price and associated prestige. These are often luxury goods and clothing, but can also be pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and electronics. The brand name is an indication of quality materials, workmanship, and technology. People will pay more for the “real thing,” or decide to buy something cheaper that looks “just as good.” In many cases, “just as good” is a counterfeit of the brand name product. A tariff is an import tax or duty that is typically paid by the importer and can drive up the cost of imported brand name products. For example, a Yale study has shown that shoe prices may increase by 87% and apparel prices by 65%, due to tariffs. On the other hand, counterfeit products don’t play by the rules and can often avoid paying tariffs, such as the case of many smaller, online transactions, shipped individually. Therefore, we expect to see an increase in counterfeit products as well as a need to increase efforts to reduce the economic losses of counterfeiting. The Scale of the Counterfeit Problem In their 2025 report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), estimated that in 2021, “global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately USD 467 billion, or 2.3% of total global imports. This absolute value represents an increase from 2019, when counterfeit trade was estimated at USD 464 billion, although its relative share decreased compared to 2019 when it accounted for 2.5% of world trade. For imports into the European Union, the value of counterfeit goods was estimated at USD 117 billion, or 4.7% of total EU imports.” In a 2020 report, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) estimated the size of the international counterfeit market as having a “range from a low of USD 200 billion in 2008 to a high of USD 509 billion in 2019.” According to the OEDC / EUIPO General Trade-Related Index of Counterfeiting for economies (GTRIC-e), China continues to be the primary source of counterfeit goods, as well as Bangladesh, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, and Türkiye. Based on customs seizures in 2020-21, the most common items are clothing (21.6%), footwear (21.4%), and handbags, followed by electronics and watches. Based on the value of goods seized, watches (23%) and footwear (15%) had the highest value. However, it should be noted that items that are easier to detect and seize are likely to be overrepresented in the data. Although the share of watches declined, and electronics, toys, and games increased, it remains unclear whether this represents a long term trend or just a short term fluctuation. In general, high value products in high demand continue to be counterfeited. Data from the US Library of Congress indicates that 60% – 80% of counterfeit products are purchased by Americans. The US accounts for approximately 5% of the world’s consumers; however, it represents greater than 20% of the world’s purchasing power. Though it is still possible to find counterfeit products at local markets, a large number of counterfeit goods are obtained through online retailers and shipped directly to consumers as small parcels classified as de minimis trade. This allows for the duty-free import of products up to USD 800 in value. Counterfeit items may be knowingly or unknowingly purchased from online retailers and shipped directly to consumers, duty-free. Purchased products can be shipped via postal services, classified as de minimis trade. Approximately 79% of packages seized contained less than 10 items. Given the size and volume of the packages arriving daily, many or most will evade scrutiny by customs officials. This means of import is increasing over time. In 2017-19 it was 61% of seizures. By 2020-21, it was 79%. Economic Impact of Counterfeiting The scale of the counterfeiting problem has significant impacts on the US economy, US business interests, and US innovations in lost sales and lost jobs. Moreover, counterfeit products are often made quickly and cheaply, using materials that may be toxic. The companies producing these goods may not dispose of waste properly and may dump it into waterways, causing significant environmental consequences. Counterfeit products from electrical equipment and life jackets to batteries and smoke alarms may be made without adhering to safety standards or be properly tested. These products may fail to function when you need it and may lead to fire, electric shock, poisoning, and other accidents that can seriously injure and even kill consumers. Counterfeit cosmetics and pharmaceuticals can also lead to injuries by either including unsafe ingredients or by failing to provide the benefits of the real product. The Tariff Counterfeit Connection Tariffs may be seen as a tax on consumers and raise the price of imported products that are already the target of counterfeiters such as luxury leather products and apparel. It’s commonly understood that raising prices on genuine products can only drive up the demand for counterfeit goods. In general, consumers will have less disposable income and the brand goods they desire will cost more which is bound to increase the demand for counterfeit goods. Although recent changes removing the USD 800 tax exemption on de minimis shipments from China and Hong Kong will make it more expensive for counterfeiters to ship their goods internationally, tariffs are typically applied as a percentage of the cost of an object. This will cause the price of more expensive legitimate goods to increase even more than the cheaper counterfeit goods and likely make the counterfeit products even more attractive economically. Therefore, we expect to see an increase in counterfeit products as well as an increase in efforts to reduce the economic losses of counterfeiting. The Role of Technical Experts in Counterfeit Detection Technical experts play an important role in both the prevention and detection of counterfeits and helping to identify counterfeiting entities. Whether counterfeit money, clothing, shoes, electronics, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, the first step in fighting counterfeits is detecting them. In some cases, the counterfeit product is obvious. A leather product may not be leather, a logo may be wrong, packaging may have a spelling mistake, or a holographic label may be missing. These products may be seized by customs. However, some counterfeit products are very difficult to detect. In the case of a counterfeit memory card with less than the stated capacity or a pharmaceutical that contains the wrong active ingredient, technical analysis may be needed to identify the parts. Technical analysis may also be used to try and identify the source of the counterfeit goods. For prevention measures, manufacturers may use radio frequency identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) tags within their products. RFID tags are microscopic semiconductor chips attached to a metallic printed antenna. The tag itself may be flexible and easy to incorporate into packaging or into the product itself. A passive RFID requires no power and has sufficient storage to store information such as product name, stock keeping unit (SKU), place of manufacture, date of manufacture, as well as some sort of cryptographic information to attest to the authenticity of the tag. A simple scanner powers the tag using an electromagnetic field and reads the tag. If manufacturers include RFID tags in products, an X-ray to identify a product in a de minimis shipment (perhaps using artificial intelligence technology) and an RFID scanner to verify the authenticity of the product can be used to efficiently screen a large number of packages. Many products also may be marked with photo-luminescent dyes with unique properties that may be read by special scanners and allow authorities to detect legitimate products. Similarly, doped hybrid oxide particles with distinctive photo-responsive features may be printed on products. These particles, when exposed to laser light, experience a fast increase in temperature which may be quickly detected. For either of these examples, the ability to identify legitimate products, or – due to the absence of marking – track counterfeit products, allows authorities to map the flow of the counterfeit goods through the supply chain as they are manufactured, shipped, and are exported and imported to countries. For many years, electronic memory cards such as SD cards and USB sticks have been counterfeited. In many cases, the fake card will have a capacity much smaller than listed. For example, a 32GB memory card for a camera may only hold 1GB. Sometimes, these products may be identified by analyzing the packaging for discrepancies from the brand name products. In other cases, software must be used to verify the capacity and performance of each one, which is time-consuming when analyzing a large number of products. Forensic investigators, comprised of forensic accountants and forensic technologists, are heavily involved in efforts to combat this illicit trade. By analyzing financial records, supply-chain data, and transaction histories, they trace the origins and pathways of counterfeit products. Their work often involves identifying suspicious procurement patterns, shell companies, and irregular inventory flows that signal counterfeit activity. Forensic investigators often begin by mapping the counterfeit supply chain, an intricate web that often spans continents. Using data analytics, transaction tracing, and inventory audits, they identify anomalies in procurement, distribution, and sales records. These methodologies help pinpoint the origin of counterfeit goods, the intermediaries involved, and the final points of sale. By reconstructing the flow of goods and money, forensic investigators can begin to unmask activities. Cross-border partnerships are essential for tracking assets, sharing insights, and coordinating with financial regulators. Public-private partnerships further enhance the effectiveness of anti-counterfeiting efforts. Forensic investigators often serve as bridges between government agencies, brand owners, and financial institutions, facilitating the exchange of key information. These partnerships increase information-sharing, streamline investigations, and amplify the impact of enforcement actions. A promising development in this space is the World Customs Organization’s Smart Customs Project, which integrates artificial intelligence to detect and intercept counterfeit goods. Forensic investigators can leverage this initiative by analyzing AI-generated alerts and incorporating them into broader financial investigations, which allows for faster and more accurate identification of illicit networks. Jurisdictional complexity is a major hurdle in anti-counterfeiting efforts. Forensic investigators work closely with legal teams to navigate these challenges to ensure that investigations comply with local laws, and evidence is admissible and can withstand scrutiny in court, especially when dealing with offshore accounts and international money laundering schemes. Forensic investigators follow the money, tracing illicit profits through bank accounts, shell companies, and cryptocurrency transactions. Their findings not only help recover stolen assets but also support disputes by providing expert testimony that quantifies financial losses and identifies the bad actors. Conclusion Imitations of brand name products have become more convincing, harder to detect, and the sources of the counterfeit goods more difficult to identify. While counterfeiting clearly has evolved because of technological advancements, e-commerce, and the growing sophistication of bad actors, the process has now been complicated even further by the unpredictable tariff and trade policies that are affecting businesses worldwide. Consequently, companies need to take a multi-faceted approach to these new challenges introduced into the counterfeiting of products by tariffs. By engaging high-tech product authentication measures, utilizing technology-based alerts about counterfeits, and retaining the specialized skills of forensic investigators and other experts, companies will be able to navigate the risks posed by the complex and changing relationship between tariffs and counterfeit goods. To learn more about this topic and how it can impact your business or connect with James E. Malackowski simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today. To connect with David Fraser or Matthew Brown contact : Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held +1 786 833 4864 Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com

James E. Malackowski, CPA, CLP

3 min

J.S. Held Announces the First Global Consulting Company Chief Intellectual Property Officer

Global consulting firm J.S. Held proudly announces the appointment of intellectual property (IP) expert James E. Malackowski as the first Chief Intellectual Property Officer (CIPO) of a global consulting company. J.S. Held Chief Executive Officer Lee Spirer observes, “In today's knowledge-based economy, the role of CIPO serves an important strategic and operational role both internally and in support of clients.” Protecting J.S. Held Intellectual Property and Other Intangible Assets J.S. Held experts have developed methodologies, frameworks, proprietary tools, and research that support client work. The CIPO partners across the business to ensure that these intangible assets are identified, protected, and leveraged to benefit the business. “Having dedicated IP leadership will help the company move faster in developing and deploying new methodologies, while ensuring reasonable measures of protecting our innovations,” noted James E. Malackowski. Managing J.S. Held Intellectual Property and Other Intangible Assets J.S. Held maintains a robust portfolio of patents including a “System and Method for Financing an Insurance Transaction”, trademarks, data, trade secrets, and other proprietary technologies that support client work. “As CIPO, I intend to partner with company leadership and our professional experts across the globe to manage and monetize the many patent, trademark, data, and other proprietary assets that set J.S. Held apart among our competitors, benefitting clients and our investors,” added James E. Malackowski. Industry’s Most Comprehensive Global Intellectual Property Consulting Group Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held, is rooted in an expansive understanding of intellectual property (IP) value and risk, providing a foundation of Expertise for the Innovation Economy™. Built upon more than three decades of experience assessing IP in the most rigorous of venues state, federal, and international courts, Ocean Tomo clients benefit from continuous feedback between litigation economic damage outcomes, transaction pricing, capital market valuations, debt financing terms, equity assessments, and deep technical insight. The team possesses the most comprehensive and market-tested understanding of IP value. Financial, market, and technical experts uniquely understand the contributory value of patented inventions, know-how, brands, and copyrights that permeate every business, viewing IP not simply as an isolated asset, but as an integral component of enterprise value. Multidimensional Intellectual Property-Informed Experts Benefit J.S. Held Clients Intellectual property expertise permeates the global organization. Beyond the expertise within J.S. Held’s dedicated IP practice Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held, multidisciplinary experts across J.S. Held combine intellectual property expertise to core specializations, including: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Intelligence Construction Advisory Enterprise Risk Management Fraud Investigations Forensic Accounting Insurance Claims Consulting Restructuring, Turnaround, Receivership, and Bankruptcy Tangible and Intangible Asset Value Understanding The depth and breadth of J.S. Held’s work in the property and casualty insurance market and Ocean Tomo’s work across all forms of intellectual property and other intangible assets uniquely combine to create a strong foundation in risk assessment, data analysis, global awareness, regulatory compliance, technological adaptability, and risk mitigation. Collectively, these skills better equip J.S. Held experts to assess business risk across diverse geographies, geopolitical landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements for the benefit of our clients. Learn more about the new J.S. Held Chief Intellectual Property Officer, James E. Malackowski: Looking to know more or connect with James E. Malackowski? Simply click on the expert's icon now to arrange an interview today. For any other media inquiries contact : Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held +1 786 833 4864 Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com

James E. Malackowski, CPA, CLP

1 min

Video Insights: What Boards of Directors Need to Know About Tariffs

Boards of directors globally are confronting unknown circumstances as a result of the current quickly shifting tariff and trade environment. Business risks and opportunities are magnified during such times, compelling boards to seek the right strategies in order to meet these challenges. In this video, Brian Gleason, John Peiserich, James E. Malackowski, and Mariano de Alba – experts in business turnaround, supply chain, intellectual property, and political risk – outline emerging considerations for boards of directors in light of changing tariff policies, including: Tracking the financial impact of tariffs and effects on company supply chains Understanding changes to regulatory requirements and whether internal policies need to be modified Planning for shortand long-term effects on intellectual property Adjusting communications between the board and senior management To view more of our Tariffs and Trade Series expert analysis and commentary, visit: Looking to know more or connect with John Peiserich and James E. Malackowski? Simply click on either expert's icon now to arrange an interview today. If you are looking to connect with Brian Gleason or Mariano de Alba contact : Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held +1 786 833 4864 Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com

James E. Malackowski, CPA, CLPJohn Peiserich, Esq.
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