Oct. 2, 2014
Michael J. Minna (BS Civ Egr ’02) is participating in the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program, a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing community leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.
As part of Leadership Detroit’s Class XXXVI, he joins 70 executives from across the region, representing a cross-section of the community, including business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations.
Leadership Detroit provides opportunities for participants to foster problem-solving, while providing new views on key issues to lead the region to success. As it has since 1979, Leadership Detroit will continue its role in addressing, discussing and leading conversations important to the Detroit region. The complete Leadership Detroit Class XXXVI roster is available at detroitchamber.com/ld.
Minna concentrates his practice in intellectual property law with an emphasis on preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications primarily in the mechanical arts. He has prepared and prosecuted patent applications in numerous mechanical and electro-mechanical technologies including medical devices, automotive antenna systems, automotive seating, automotive steering and suspension components, automotive driveline components, automotive cooling and climate control systems, building window and door systems, exterior building and construction components, alternative pavement designs, and silicon manufacturing apparatuses. In addition to preparing and prosecuting patent applications, he is experienced in counseling clients on patent matters such as freedom to operate, infringement and invalidity opinions.
Minna works for Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC. He joined Howard & Howard in 2007 as an intern in its intellectual property law internship program. As an intern, he trained in the practice of patent law by preparing and prosecuting patent applications under close supervision of senior partners while attending law school in the evenings.
Minna received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2010, where he was a founding member of the Intellectual Property Law Society. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from MSU in 2002.
Prior to joining Howard and Howard, Minna worked for Professional Engineering Associates as a staff engineer (2004-2007) and Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. as a project engineer (2002-2004). In these capacities he was responsible for performing plan reviews, designing residential and commercial developments, and providing engineering consulting services to several South East Michigan municipalities.
