Southfield, Mich. – Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Associate Rachel A. Smith has been selected as a member of the 2016 Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 class, one of 40 individuals L. Brooks Patterson is recognizing for their innovation, talent and leadership. Mr. Patterson will recognize the 2016 Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 class on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac prior to the State of the County Address.
Smith was recognized for her efforts with the Girls Scouts of Southeast Michigan and contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Smith has helped pioneer the IP Patch events for Girl Scouts troops in Michigan, where she educates Girl Scouts on the importance and protection of intellectual property. The IP Patch was created by the Girl Scouts as a supplement to the Innovation badge series with the help of industry partners like the Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Smith specializes in preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the mechanical and electrical arts. She represents clients in the consumer electronics, automotive, medical device and IT network industries. Her practice further includes drafting patentability, infringement, validity and freedom to operate opinions.
Smith earned her Juris Doctor from Wayne State University in Detroit and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Ohio Northern University in Ada. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Oakland County, and the United State Patent and Trademark Office. She is also the Secretary of the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association and serves on the Women in IP Law Committee for the American Intellectual Property Law Association.
According to Oakland County, nearly 450 applications and nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of judges, looking for the top 40 young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oakland County. The 40 honorees were selected for displaying excellence in their field and contributing to the quality of life in their communities.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman P.C. is a leading intellectual property (IP) and technology law firm with offices across the nation, and represents clients nationally and internationally with respect to protection, enforcement and monetization of IP, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. The firm has more than 90 intellectual property professionals specializing in various technical disciplines, and has a reputation for providing leading IP counseling with a focus on the business objectives of their clients.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 companies across a variety of industries among its clients. The firm is also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including Corporate Counsel magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, World Trademark Review, and Intellectual Property Today. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.
