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William G. Abbatt

Patent Prosecution & Patent Litigation

Michigan

(248) 226-2760

  • Overview
  • Background
  • Featured Content
  • Insights
“I analyze my clients' strengths and leverage them to create effective intellectual property portfolios to help their businesses succeed.”

Industries

  • Life Science & Medical Device
  • Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups
  • Manufacturing
William Abbatt is a skilled patent attorney with experience in foreign and domestic patent prosecution matters. He has a background in varying disciplines including manufacturing, chemistry, and medical devices.    With 35+ years of experience as a patent attorney, Bill’s practice involves all aspects of domestic and foreign patent preparation, prosecution, and assertion, including dispute resolution. He regularly advises clients on the development and management of patent portfolios. Bill’s practice includes counseling on how to protect various aspects of inventions and monetize them by sale and licensing. Bill has managed intellectual property matters in many technical disciplines including manufacturing, metallurgy, chemistry, medical devices, and aeronautics. His background in industry plus his diverse experience in writing and prosecuting hundreds of patents enable Bill to spot the strengths and weaknesses in a patent when a dispute or enforcement issue arises. He has an affinity for working with emerging entities whose value can be enhanced by effective intellectual property portfolio creation and management to help his clients’ businesses succeed. In one case, he introduced 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 their lives. Bill is a member of the Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter and currently serves as a co-chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section. He is a former council member of the Aviation Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Bill is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a Master of the Bench (American Inns of Court).  He was an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Bill received Super Lawyers designation for 2006 - 2012, 2024. He was selected for this honor subsequent to undergoing an evaluation of many different factors including peer recognition and professional achievement. Bill also served on the steering committee that formed the Michigan Intellectual Property American Inns of Court Chapter and was its President (2017-18). The Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court is a philanthropic organization of judges, lawyers and legal educators that seeks to promote fair and ethical practice amongst junior lawyers and law students. Bill helped to found the Inn and was enthusiastic about moving into a leadership role. Bill was able to take the organization forward, while staying true to its initial goal of promoting excellence in advocacy amongst those it mentors. Bill holds a Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law. Before that, Bill graduated with an M.S. in Operations Research & Production Engineering and a B.S. in Metallurgy & Material Sciences at the University of London, England. He has been appointed an Expert Adviser and Facilitative Mediator in the Federal District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Outside the office, Bill enjoys flying his Beechcraft Debonair airplane, skiing, playing golf and tennis, working out, and traveling to England, his birthplace. He and his wife Candyce count Vail Colorado and Ft Lauderdale as favorite haunts.

Education

J.D., Detroit College of Law, Editor, Law Review

M.S., Operations research & Production Engineering, University of London, England

B.S., Metallurgy & Material Sciences, University of London, England

Organizations & Affiliations

Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court, President (2017-18)

Federal Bar Association (Co-Chair, Intellectual Property Law Section, E.D. Mich. Chapter)

State Bar of Michigan

Michigan Intellectual Property Association (MIPLA), Member

Michigan Patent Law Association

Adjunct Professor of (Patent) Law, University of Detroit Mercy

Corewell East Health Trustee

Recognitions

“Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award,” American Bonanza Society, May 2021

“Leading Lawyer,” Leading Lawyer Magazine, 2014-2020

“Top Lawyer,” DBusiness Magazine, 2015-2016, 2020-2021, 2023

“IAM Patent 1000 Recommended Individual,” Intellectual Asset Management, 2014-2017

Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2006-2012, 2024

Languages

French, Spanish

Industries

  • Life Science & Medical Device
  • Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups
  • Manufacturing

Presentations

Speaker, “A Brief History of the Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court,” Michigan IP Inn of Court Annual Dinner, June 2023

Moderator, “Ex Parte and Inter Partes Patent Appeals Concerning Obviousness – The Intersection of the PTO Practice and the Courts,” Federal Circuit Bar Association, April 2017

Speaker, “Maximizing Device Patent Scope and Life: Navigating Through the Medical Device Patent Minefield,” American Conference Institute Summit on Medical Device Patents, March 2013

Speaker, “Protecting Your Patent Ideas as a Doctor,” New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference, June 2011

Speaker, “Patents and Cardiovascular Medicine:  An Intersection of Practices,” New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference, June 2010

Speaker, “Intellectual Property Troubleshooting for the Medical Executive,” New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference, June 2010

Speaker, “Patent Attorneys can be Entrepreneurs too,” EISEM Entrepreneurs Forum, February 2010

Speaker, “Protecting Your IP Without Bankrupting Your Fledgling Enterprise,” MIT Enterprise Forum, November 2009

Speaker, “Use of Special Masters in IP Litigation,” Seminar at U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Michigan Judges and Clerks, October 2009

Speaker, “Strategic Management of Intellectual Property,” Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference, September 2005

Speaker, “Should I get a Patent?  Why, When and How Successful Businesses Use Patents,” Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone, June 2005

Speaker, “Strategic Management of Intellectual Property,” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, April 2004

Speaker, “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

Publications

Author, “How to Protect Your Intellectual Property,” MG Magazine, October 2020

Author, “Can And Should I Patent My Idea For An App?,” June 2017

Author, “Intersection of Patents and Medicine:  5 Tips to Maximize the Inventor’s Rights,” Medical Design Technology, July 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

Insights

Press Releases

Three Brooks Kushman Attorneys Named as DBusiness “Top Lawyers” for 2025

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Press Releases

Nine Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2024 Super Lawyers; Three Attorneys Honored As Rising Stars

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Attorney William Abbatt Named in 2023 Top Lawyers List

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Press Releases

Eight Brooks Kushman Shareholders Named To 2021 Top Lawyers List

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Media Coverage

Brooks Kushman Shareholder William Abbatt Published in MG Magazine

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Press Releases

Ten Brooks Kushman Shareholders Named To 2020 Top Lawyers List

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Blog

Can and Should I Patent My Idea For an App?

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Press Releases

Michigan Intellectual Property Inn Of Court

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Presentations

Frank Angileri to Present at Detroit FCBA Event

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Publications

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Featured in Detroit Legal News

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Recognized as Gold-Standard Firm in Patent 1000 Listing for Third Consecutive Year

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Press Releases

Eleven Brooks Kushman Attorneys Named Top Lawyers

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Media Coverage

Brooks Kushman Earns Gold Honors in Patent 1000 Listing

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman’s Abbatt to Present at Medical Device IP Summit

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman’s Abbatt to Discuss Strategies for Protecting Medical IP at 12th Annual New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman’s Abbatt to Address Physicians, Medical Executives about Patents and Cardiovascular Medicine at 11th Annual New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference

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Media Coverage

Brooks Kushman’s William Abbatt to be Keynote Speaker at Entrepreneurial Initiative of Southeastern Michigan Event

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Media Coverage

Brooks Kushman’s William Abbatt to speak at the MIT Enterprise Forum on “Protecting IP on a Shoe-string Budget”

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Media Coverage

Six Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2009 Super Lawyers List; Two Up-and-Coming Lawyers Named Rising Stars

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Press Releases

Six Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2008 Super Lawyers List; Five Up-and-Coming Attorneys Named Rising Stars

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2007 Super Lawyers List

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Publications

Protecting the Crown Jewels: Patent and Trademark Protection

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Publications

Michigan SuperLawyers 2006

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Presentations

SmartZone Seminars Draw Entrepreneurs Seeking Patent Assistance

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Press Releases

Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone* Selects Brooks Kushman to Provide Patent Assistance to U.P. Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

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Publications

Bringing Out the Big Gun: Invoking the Sherman Act in Patent Litigation

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Publications

Protection of Slogans – Part of Everyday Speech and Related Issues

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Publications

Protection of Slogans – Part of Everyday Speech

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Presentations

Proving, Protecting and Policing The Patented Invention

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Presentations

Federal Court Rules and Procedures: Ethical Considerations

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Presentations

Auditing Your Intellectual Property

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Presentations

Strategic Management of Intellectual Property

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