"My goal with each client is to understand how the legal aspects fit into their business. While understanding the technology is necessary, understanding how IP protection compliments a client’s business is most important."
Industries
- Financial Solutions
- IT Services
- Automotive
- Autonomous and Mobility Technology
- Electrical & Computer Technology
- Life Science & Medical Device
- Consumer Products
Rachel Smith has a wide range of knowledge stemming from her extensive experience over the past two decades. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, she focuses on software, supplier, and medical device businesses, aiming to ensure that their IP protection aligns with their business needs and goals.
Rachel is a registered patent attorney and focuses primarily on domestic and foreign patent prosecution in the electrical arts. Rachel consults clients from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups. She enjoys working closely with clients to counsel them on how to best protect their intellectual property based on their specific business goals.
Rachel has a deep understanding of various technologies in mechanical and electrical arts. In particular, she has extensive experience prosecuting patent applications in consumer electronics, automotive, medical device, and network technologies. Her practice further includes drafting patentability, infringement, validity and freedom to operate opinions.
Rachel’s practice also includes consulting clients on open source software license agreements. She works with clients to understand complex software licenses and copyright matters. Rachel has worked with the firm’s open source team to perform software audits on complex systems and has advised clients on software license obligations while assisting in compliance solutions.
To compliment her client’s needs, Rachel also has experience preparing, reviewing, and negotiating agreements involving intellectual property, including licenses, confidentiality agreements, master services agreements, and others, with a focus on open source and indemnification provisions often included therein.
Rachel received a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Ohio Northern University. During law school Rachel was a member and officer of the Wayne State Intellectual Property Student Association (WIPSA) and earned the Silver Key Award for academic achievement. At Ohio Northern University she was active in several student groups holding numerous leadership positions. Rachel served as president of both the student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and her social sorority. Prior to attending law school, Rachel gained electronics hardware and software experience while working as an intern at an avionics safety company in Columbus, OH.
Rachel loves a good Disney Cruise (she's a Gold level member) and can be found on her Peloton bike.
Education
J.D., Wayne State University
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Ohio Northern University
Organizations & Affiliations
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) – 2020 Fellow
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Women in IP Law Committee
Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, Second Vice President
Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Association – Women in IP Law Committee
State Bar of Michigan
United States Patent and Trademark Office
American Bar Association
Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, Secretary
Oakland County Bar Association
Women’s Bar Association of Oakland County
INForum
Michigan Science Center STEMinista Role Model
Recognitions
“Notable Lawyer”, Managing Intellectual Property, 2021
Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40, 2016 Class
“Up & Coming Lawyer,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2015
“Rising Star,” Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2016-2020
“Top Lawyer,” DBusiness Magazine, 2017
Industries
- Financial Solutions
- IT Services
- Automotive
- Autonomous and Mobility Technology
- Electrical & Computer Technology
- Life Science & Medical Device
- Consumer Products
Presentations
Panelist, “Protecting Your Client’s IP”, Corporate Counsel University, ACC, June 2022-2023
Moderator, “How New Guidance Will Affect Practice,” AIPLA Roadshow (Houston), April 2019
Co-Presenter, “Employing Analytics to Drive Results,” BK and ChIPs Hosted Webinar, May 2019
Publications
Co-Author, “USPTO Will Continue To Apply Lower In Re Packard Indefiniteness Standard During Examination,” October 2017
Co-Author, “Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. V. CLS Bank International,” June 2014