Tiffany A. Fidler, Ph.D.
Co-Chair Patent Prosecution
Michigan OfficeP (248) 226-2876tfidler@brookskushman.com
Tiffany's practice involves counseling clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups on intellectual property matters. Her practice centers on procuring domestic and foreign patents in mechanical and electromechanical matters, and coordinating international patent portfolios. In particular, she has experience representing clients and protecting intellectual property rights in automotive technologies (including engine, drivetrain, powertrain, hybrid vehicle, and vehicle controls), aviation technologies, alternative energy, optics, and consumer products including personal care products, among others. Tiffany additionally has extensive experience in design patent prosecution.
Tiffany’s practice also focuses on counseling clients regarding patentability investigations, infringement and freedom to operate analyses, and the negotiation and preparation of various intellectual property agreements, including licensing agreements and joint development agreements.
She received her doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan with a focus in the thermal fluid sciences and an interdisciplinary thesis in combustion and materials science. She was a recipient of the prestigious National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship funded by the Department of Defense. After graduating, Tiffany was an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University for three years where she established a laboratory conducting federally funded research and taught courses in the thermal fluid sciences and engineering design sequences.
At Michigan and Drexel, Tiffany's research involvement included: flame synthesis and materials analysis of nanomaterials for bio- and sensor applications, catalytic ignition of oxygenated fuels for microcombustors, in situ diode laser diagnostics in a flame environment, and chemical kinetic modeling of silane combustion.
Tiffany has presented at numerous technical conferences, published twelve refereed articles, actively mentored students through both university and federally sponsored programs, and served on federal grant funding panels. She was awarded $850,000 as primary/senior investigator and an additional $1,300,000 as senior personnel on government funded research.
Tiffany’s interdisciplinary background, as well as her experiences and successes in the scientific and academic communities, enable her to build relationships and connect with inventors to understand and protect advanced and emerging technologies.
Tiffany is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a member of the Michigan State Bar, and admitted to the Federal District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan.
Tiffany is an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan in the College of Engineering where she currently teaches patent law in the Center for Entrepreneurship. Tiffany believes that teaching results in a deeper understanding of the subject matter, and also allows for her continued involvement in STEM education.
Tiffany serves on the executive board for the Women in IP Committee for the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and also chairs their Presence and Branding Sub-Committee.
In her personal time, Tiffany enjoys sailboat racing, travel, and photography, and is a licensed sailplane pilot.
Organizations and Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association, Executive Committee Member for the Women in IP Law Committee and co-chair of the Presence and Branding Sub-Committee
Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)
Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honors Society)
University of Michigan, Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering
Recognitions
“Rising Star,” Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2020
“IAM Patent 1000 Recommended Individual,” Intellectual Asset Management, 2020
“Women in the Law,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2019.
“Rising Star,” Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2017-2019.
Dean’s Scholarship Awardee, Wayne State University Law School, 2008-2012.
Bronze Key Award, Wayne State University Law School
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow, 2001-2004.
Robert M. Caddell Award, University of Michigan (outstanding students and faculty in materials and manufacturing), 2003-2004.
Press Releases
Brooks Kushman Recognized As Gold-Standard Firm in the IAM Patent 1000 For The Seventh Year In A Row; Seven Attorneys Recognized As Top Practitioners
Six Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2019 Super Lawyers List; Seven Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars
Tiffany Fidler Named Among 2019 “Women in the Law” By Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Brooks Kushman Team Awarded IP Service Provider Award by Longtime Client, Masco Corporation
Brooks Kushman Named Top Patent Firm of 2018 By Harrity
Brooks Kushman Attorneys Volunteer with Ford Legal Alliance for Women Global Day of Service
Twelve Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2018 Super Lawyers List; Eight Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars
Twelve Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2017 Super Lawyers List; Ten Attorneys Honored As Rising Stars
Brooks Kushman Attorney to Serve as Adjunct Professor at University of Michigan
Brooks Kushman Attorneys Named to AIPLA Committees
Client Alerts
The USPTO Recently Published a Final Rule on Fee Changes for Fiscal Year 2020
The USPTO Issued a Second Notice of Extended Waiver for Patent Related Timing Deadlines Under the CARES Act
The USPTO Issued A Notice of Waiver For Patent Related Timing Under The CARES Act
Publications
Co-Author, “Practical Considerations For ‘Article Of Manufacture’ In Design Patent Law After Curver Luxembourg, SARL V. Home Expressions Inc.,” September 2019
Author, “Colgate-Palmolive v. Procter and Gamble: A comparative view of advertising and legal systems,” Michigan International Lawyer, Volume XXIII, No. III, Fall 2011
Co-Author, “Enhanced Catalytic Combustion Using Sub-micrometer and Nano-size Platinum Particles,” ASAP Energy Fuels, 2008
Co-Author, “Combustion of Multi-Phase Particle Precursor Reactants for Synthesis of Nanocomposite Materials,” Combustion and Flame, 2007
Co-Author, “A New Method for Direct Preparation of Tin- Oxide Nanocomposite Materials,” Journal of Materials Research, 2005
Co-Author, “Tin dioxide/metal/metal oxide nanocomposites for gas sensor applications,” in Functional Nanomaterials, E. Rosenberg and K. E. Geckeler, Editors, American Scientific Publishers, 2004
Co-Author, “Computational Modeling of the SiH3 + O2 Reaction and Silane Combustion,” Combustion and Flame, 2004
Presentations
Panelist, “State of Play: Who Owns What and What are the Implications,” Auto IP Event, Intellectual Asset Management and Brooks Kushman P.C., September 2020
Co-Presenter, “Employing Analytics to Drive Results,” BK and ChIPs Hosted Webinar, May 2019
Speaker, “Intellectual Property Issues for Startups,” Detroit Start-Up Week, June 2018
Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, College of Engineering, Center for Entrepreneurship
Education
J.D., Wayne State University, cum laude
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
M.S.E., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, magna cum laude
Practice Area and Industries
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Life Science & Medical Device
- Automotive
- Autonomous and Mobility Technology
- Europe
- Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups
- Patent Prosecution & Counseling
- Technical Design Consulting
- Consumer Products
- IP Due Diligence
- Licensing
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Advanced Materials
- Portfolio Management and Analytics