Michele Van Patten Frank
Michele also advises clients across a broad range of advanced technology and consumer product industries, including aerospace, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, software engineering, water-related software, sports technology, and connected consumer devices. Her cross-industry experience allows her to support innovation at the intersection of these diverse technologies. Michele's deep understanding of both regulated medical technologies and fast-evolving software and consumer markets allows her to develop IP strategies that are practical, scalable, and aligned with each client's business objectives.
With an engineering degree and a background as both a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent examiner and an IP litigator, Michele brings a comprehensive, dual-sided perspective to patent counseling. Her ability to "speak the language" of engineers, chemists, and attorneys alike gives her a distinct advantage in navigating complex, multidisciplinary technologies, particularly in the fast-evolving medical device industry, where technical precision and regulatory awareness are critical.
Michele's approach to patent prosecution is deeply strategic. Recognizing that patents in the cutting-edge technologies space are often pivotal business assets, she tailors her strategies to support clients through the entire product life cycle—from early-stage R&D and mission-critical filings to global portfolio management, IP due diligence during fundraising, product clearance, licensing, and enforcement. Several of her clients, which she has supported since the earliest stages of R&D, have gone on to secure multi-million-dollar funding rounds—highlighting the strength and strategic value of the IP foundations she helps build. Her portfolio management skills are particularly valuable to companies operating in highly regulated and competitive technology markets.
Michele is passionate about providing exceptional client service and building lasting professional relationships founded on trust and collaboration. She supports clients with an integrated, cross-disciplinary legal approach, working closely with regulatory advisors, litigators, data privacy consultants, employment lawyers, and tax advisors, to align legal strategies with business objectives.
Her broad IP background enables her to assist with a wide array of IP-related matters, including due diligence, asset transfers, licensing negotiations, and freedom-to-operate analyses, particularly for medical technology companies navigating growth, acquisition, or investment. Michele's track record of helping clients build robust, enforceable, and strategically aligned patent portfolios makes her a trusted advisor to companies at the forefront of innovation.
Experience
Government Experience
- Patent Examiner, United States Patent and Trademark Office
Representative Matters
- Provides strategic patent prosecution counsel to a global leader in jet and turboprop engines and integrated aerospace systems. Manages high-value patent portfolios, prepares and prosecutes mission-critical applications, and advises on innovations. Navigates complex U.S. and international patent landscapes to strengthen the client's competitive position in a highly regulated, innovation-driven market
- Counseled a premier skincare brand known for its legacy of innovation, particularly in the anti-aging space. Work included developing and managing a robust global patent and trademark portfolio, advising on brand protection strategies, and securing IP rights for cutting-edge formulations and technologies. Also supported risk assessment, competitive landscape analysis, and strategic guidance to help maintain the brand's market leadership and IP strength worldwide
- Advised on various fitness technologies, including equipment, systems, and methods. The fitness equipment includes, for example, wearable hydration devices and exercise shoes. The systems and methods include real-time diagnostics and monitoring. In particular, these are used to diagnose traumatic brain injury and monitor a user's exercise motions to determine concordance with exercise instruction
- Represented EMZ portfolio company FotoFinder Systems, Inc., a Germany-based global leader in skin imaging solutions, in connection with its acquisition of DermLite LLC, a U.S.-based handheld dermoscopy device company
- Led a California-based medical device company's patent strategy from inception through product development, culminating in a $25 million valuation; led patent diligence through funding rounds by investors, including two major venture capital firms; developed a fully integrated international patent strategy for the company's respiratory product, systems, and functionalities across multiple indications for use, to build protection for the commercial technology and block infringers and design-around technologies
- Secured critical patents for a medical device company that deals with aneurysms and was seeking an attorney with combined patent examiner, prosecutor, and litigator experience to expedite applications stalled in the USPTO. Worked with the client and the USPTO to obtain valuable patents that cover the client's inventive contributions, while maintaining strategic blocking coverage, and positioned the client to withstand the scrutiny of diligence and enforcement challenges
- Led U.S. product clearance, diligence, and patent portfolio development for European and Israeli medical device companies, including those in the areas of neurostimulation and stents. Advised on the timing of a U.S. product launch, supported the company through diligence and acquisition by U.S. entities, and managed the strategy and prosecution of a U.S. patent portfolio
- Enforced a patent involving RF laser technology for skin
- Defended a precision instruments supplier against the holder of a camera system patent
- Defended an online retailer against the holder of internet patents
- Enforced patents involving safety needles (Becton-Dickenson v. Tyco)
- Defended against patents involving stents (Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, et al.)
- Enforced patents involving compact disks (DiscoVision Associates v. Disc Manufacturing, Inc.)
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. American University, Washington College of Law 1994
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering Union College 1988
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Certified Patent Valuation Analyst
Recognition
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Star, Patent, 2025
- Legal 500, Intellectual Property - Patents: Litigation (full coverage), 2024 – 2025
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property: Patent Prosecution, Washington, DC, 2019 – 2025
- IAM Patent 1000, The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, Prosecution, 2018 – 2019, 2022 – 2025
- Martindale-Hubbell, Top Lawyer, Washington, DC, 2014 – 2018
Community
Pro Bono
- Professional mentor, Larta Institute
Volunteerism
- Charter member, Rotary International of Great Falls, Virginia