Paul Palinski is a member in Miler Johnson’s Intellectual Property practice group and is a registered patent attorney. He focuses his practice on patent prosecution, patent portfolio development, and intellectual property counseling. Paul works closely with companies, in-house counsel, engineers, and inventors to identify, develop, and protect innovations in the United States and internationally.

Professional Experience

Paul counsels clients on patent strategies that align with their business and competitive objectives. Since beginning his patent practice in 2013, he has prepared, prosecuted, and managed hundreds of U.S. and international patent matters. His clients range from multinational corporations with substantial patent portfolios to emerging companies and individual inventors seeking to establish and protect their intellectual property.

Paul has secured U.S. and foreign patent protection for innovations across a broad range of technologies and industries, including automotive and consumer comfort technologies, thermal-management technologies, medical devices, manufacturing and industrial equipment, consumer and household products, food-service manufacturing equipment and processes, beverage-preparation devices, packaging systems, sporting equipment, and various other mechanical and electromechanical systems.

In addition to patent procurement, Paul works directly with inventors and engineering teams to identify patentable innovations, develop invention disclosures, and build portfolios around technologies and products important to clients’ businesses. He advises on patentability, freedom to operate, competitive patent landscapes, design-around strategies, continuation and claim strategies, and other patent portfolio considerations.

Paul brings an enforcement-informed perspective to patent prosecution and portfolio development. In one matter, he developed a portfolio of 14 U.S. patents, 11 of which were later asserted in federal district court litigation, alongside parallel PTAB and Federal Circuit proceedings, ultimately resulting in a favorable resolution for the client. His experience also includes patent reexamination proceedings and European Patent Office opposition proceedings, where he has supported strategy and substantive preparation and attended opposition hearings. This background informs his approach to patent application development, with an emphasis on meaningful technical scope and long-term value.

Before practicing law, Paul spent approximately eight years in the automotive industry. His experience includes design, engineering, and manufacturing of automotive interior and exterior components. This engineering background gives Paul a practical understanding of how products progress from concept and design through manufacturing and commercialization, and it informs his work with engineers and inventors on complex technologies and commercially focused patent strategies.

Professional Affiliations, Activities and Honors

• The Best Lawyers in America®, 2026–present
• DBusiness Top Lawyersin Intellectual Property and Patent Law, 2023–present
• Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2023–present
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2020–2025
• Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (Michigan), 2016–2022
• Michigan Lawyers Weekly™ Up & Coming Lawyers, 2019
• Michigan Top Lawyers, 2016

Education, Bar and Court Admissions, Clerkships

Paul holds a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. He received his Master of Science in Manufacturing Operations and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University.

Paul is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and is registered to practice before the United State Patent and Trademark Office.

Personal

Outside of his practice, Paul enjoys coaching his son’s soccer and baseball teams, playing squash, and taking on home renovation projects.