Margaret Clare Frederick

I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients, understanding each client’s unique needs, and developing an IP strategy that matches the client’s vision and goals. I believe that the client’s understanding of its IP protection is invaluable to the client. My main objective is to enhance the client’s understanding and develop strategies to protect its IP as its business and technology continues to grow and change.

Prior to joining Richards Patent Law, I was a patent and trademark attorney at McCracken & Gillen LLC. I have experience drafting and prosecuting utility and design patent applications in the chemical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, software and medical device arts. I also have experience in patent litigation, international and domestic trademark prosecution, and the preparation of patentability opinions, right-to-practice opinions, and non-disclosure agreements.

Before law school, I worked as an environmental engineer in the drinking water and solid/hazardous waste practice areas. Projects ranged from the design of chemical feed systems and other improvements at drinking water facilities to landfill design and regulatory compliance.

I earned a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University. I am admitted to practice before the courts of Illinois and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I am co-chair of the New Programming Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago and an active member of the Richard Linn Inn and the Licensing Executives Society. While at Northwestern, I was a research assistant on a wetlands phosphorus removal project and a member of the crew team.