Coats and Bennett, PLLC, announced today that three of its members – Larry Coats, John Owen and Anthony Biller – are being honored by Business North Carolina as "Legal Elite" in the Intellectual Practice category.

Business North Carolina asked more than 20,000 lawyers across the state to nominate those attorneys they see first-hand as the best in the field. Fewer than three percent earned nominations for this prestigious award.

"It is an honor to be listed among this impressive group of intelligent, hard-working and inspirational lawyers," said Larry Coats, a registered patent attorney and the firm's senior member. "It is very meaningful to be recognized by your peers, and this year to have three members honored further demonstrates the strong work ethic and dedication of our firm."

Coats has written and prosecuted more than 1,000 patents, specializing in the prosecution of patent applications in a variety of technology areas and currently managing an international water and wastewater treatment practice.

Owen has prepared and prosecuted a variety of patent, trademark and copyright cases for nearly two decades with the firm, focusing on mechanical, electrical and biomedical patents.

In addition to Biller's nomination for "Legal Elite," he was also recently selected to join the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, an elite group of attorneys, judges and law professors. Biller, who litigates for Coats and Bennett, is one of just four Fellows registered in the intellectual property category.