Michael P.F. Phelps

Mike is a seasoned patent practitioner, with over 20 years of experience with patent prosecution, freedom to operate studies, and general intellectual property strategy. He also has significant experience with patent litigation, and relies on his experiences in the legal battlefield to prepare patents for the rigors of enforcement and validity challenges. Mike regularly visits clients in the U.S. and abroad to provide legal training and updates on the state of the law.

Before the law, Mike practiced as an engineer doing research and development at a major aluminum company. Mike also spent several years working as a mechanic, engineer and crew chief for a professional motor racing team that participated in endurance racing events such as the historic 24 Hours of Daytona.

Transitioning to patent law was a natural step for Mike to satisfy his persistent curiosity to learn about new technologies and see new things. His past careers also give Mike valuable insight into how the engineering process works, and how new inventions are conceived and developed.

Exemplary technologies in which Mike has significant experience include:

• Consumer appliances
• Power tools
• Medical devices, such as bone plates and brain retractors
• Internal combustion engines
• Aircraft structures
• Construction and agricultural vehicles
• Industrial processing systems
• Robotic vehicles
• Industrial power generation and cooling systems
• DNA sample processing systems and automated laboratory instruments
• Nonwoven textiles
• Ballistic vest technology
• Polymer selection and processing
• X-ray diffraction systems

Outside the law, Mike’s hobbies include woodworking and building guitars (and trying to play them), but mostly he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young girls.