With more than 25 years experience as a patent attorney, Bill Abbatt counsels inventors and business owners on intellectual property issues relating to defining and protecting their competitive advantage by patenting. He specializes in advising his clients on issues involving patent preparation, prosecution, litigation and licensing. Bill has managed intellectual property matters in a wide variety of technical disciplines including manufacturing, metallurgy, chemistry, medical devices, aeronautics, and a variety of other engineering fields. His background as both an engineer and a lawyer and his diverse experience in writing and prosecuting hundreds of patents, has enabled Bill to spot the strengths and weaknesses in a patent when a dispute arises. Bill has an affinity for working with small and mid-sized emerging entities whose value can be enhanced by effective portfolio management of intellectual property thus creating a lasting business relationship to ensure that his clients’ businesses succeed. In one case, he took two separate clients – a physician and an entrepreneur – and brought them together to develop and protect medical devices to treat patients and enhance the quality of lives. Bill is a member of the Federal Bar Association and currently serves as the vice-chair of their Intellectual Property Law Section of the Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter. He is also a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a former Master of the Bench (American Inns of Court – University of Detroit Chapter). Bill has also served as an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Honors & Awards Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2006-2011. Publications Author, “Intersection of Patents and Medicine: 5 Tips to Maximize the Inventor’s Rights,” Medical Design Technology, July 15, 2010. Co-author, “Protecting the Crown Jewels: Intangible Company Assets – Patent Protection,” Small Business Association of Michigan, May 2007. Author, “Bringing Out the Big Gun: Invoking the Sherman Act in Patent Litigation,” Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal, December 2004. Author, “Protection of Slogans: Part of Everyday Speech and Related Issues,” Detroit Legal News, April 2004. Speaking Engagements “Patents and Cardiovascular Medicine: An Intersection of Practices,” New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference, June 2010. “Intellectual Property Troubleshooting for the Medical Executive,” New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference, June 2010. “Patent Attorneys can be Entrepreneurs too,” EISEM Entrepreneurs Forum, February 2010. “Protecting Your IP Without Bankrupting Your Fledgling Enterprise,” MIT Enterprise Forum, November 2009. “Use of Special Masters in IP Litigation,” Seminar to U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Michigan Judges and Clerks, October 2009. “Strategic Management of Intellectual Property,” Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference, September 2005. “Should I get a Patent? Why, When and How Successful Businesses use Patents,” Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone, June 2005. “Evolution of the Invention from Conception through Patent Prosecution and Patent Grant: Changes Wrought by the AIPA,” Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference, September 2003. Languages French and Spanish.