Service Areas
- Business
- Intellectual Property
- Information Technology + Cyberlaw
- Climate Law
- Litigation + Trial
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Litigation + Trial Practice Overview
- Information Technology + Cyberlaw
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Intellectual Property
- Information Technology + Cyberlaw
- Climate Law
Education
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D.
- Lehigh University, B.S.M.E.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- Fifth Circuit
- Sixth Circuit
- Seventh Circuit
- Federal Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan
- Southern District of Texas
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Richard A. Gaffin specializes in intellectual property litigation and counseling involving patents, trademarks and copyrights, business tort litigation, product warranty litigation, and civil litigation. In addition to being admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, he has tried patent infringement cases to juries, arbitrated overseas, successfully argued appeals in courts throughout the United States, and was part of the Miller Canfield team involved in representing utilities in disputes with the designers and builders of nuclear power plants in Texas and Washington. Those lawsuits lasted for years and involved damage claims in the billions.
“I pride myself on helping clients achieve their business goals in an effective and cost-efficient manner.”
Richard A. Gaffin
During his long tenure at Miller Canfield, Rick considers himself a nomad because he has worked with many of his colleagues in almost every one of the firm's offices.
“There is nothing more satisfying than getting calls from my colleagues throughout the firm to help them in their representation of our clients.”
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section; Intellectual Property Section
- State Bar of Michigan
- Federal Bar Association
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- International Trademark Association
- American Arbitration Association, Panel of Commercial Arbitrators; Intellectual Property Advisory Committee
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law 2005-2011, Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, and Trademark law 2012
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Litigation 2006-present
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Kentwood Economic Development Corporation, President
- Kentwood Educational Foundation, Trustee; Former President
- Kentwood Hockey and Skating Association, Former Board Member
Publications
"Nuclear Plant Construction Litigation," Federal Publications, (1984)
"Computerized Litigation Support: An In-house Ally to the Medium-sized Law Firm," Computer Law Reporter, (March 1983) (with Thomas J. Heiden and E. Jane Warnshuis)
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