skip to main content

Colleen N. Shovlin

Of Counsel / Detroit Metro Office

Colleen is an experienced intellectual property attorney and trusted advisor who has successfully assisted clients in procuring patents in highly competitive and rapidly advancing technology areas. Colleen’s extensive background prosecuting patent applications in the chemical and materials science industries provides her with expertise in drafting patent applications with sufficient specificity to withstand the rigors of the Patent Office. In addition, Colleen’s extensive knowledge of U.S. patent law, practice, and procedure make her uniquely capable in providing recommendations related to patent scope and prosecution strategy.

Colleen enjoys counseling clients during the launch of new products, in anticipation of the acquisition of intellectual property assets, and during the strategic development of their patent portfolios. To that end, Colleen is skilled in rendering patentability and noninfringement opinions, conducting intellectual property portfolio due diligence analyses, and drafting technology transfer agreements.

 

Prepares and prosecutes patent applications in a variety of chemical, materials science, industrial operations, and mechanical technology fields, with specific interest in glass and ceramic materials and manufacturing processes, polymer formulations, plastic manufacturing processes, chemical and thermal energy storage systems and devices, metal alloy compositions and manufacturing processes, advanced coatings, emissions reduction technologies, and process control systems.

Serves as outside patent counsel to Fortune 500 companies, midsize businesses, technology startups, and entrepreneurs.

Serves as U.S. patent counsel for foreign companies first filing in the U.S. or entering the U.S. national stage.

Prior to attending law school, Colleen worked as an environmental engineer for an international cement manufacturing company, where her experience navigating environmental regulations helped her understand some of the environmental and economic challenges facing the manufacturing industry today.

Colleen is an avid cyclist, runner, and more recently a swimmer. Recommendations for cycling vacations and advice for a midlife triathlete are greatly appreciated.

Awards & Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers, Patent Law and Trademark Law, 2023-2025

Memberships

  • Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court, Member since 2012
  • Intellectual Property Owners (IPO), U.S. Patent Office Practice Committee
  • State Bar of Michigan, Intellectual Property Law Section

Education

J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School, 2010

B.S.E., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2004

Bar & Court Admissions

Michigan

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Eastern District of Michigan