Service Areas
- Businesses
- Litigation/Trial Practice
- Intellectual Property
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Litigation/Trial Practice
- Individuals + Families
- Litigation/Trial Practice
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- University of Michigan, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit
- Federal Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan
- Eastern District of Texas
Catherine T. Dobrowitsky specializes in protecting and licensing intellectual property. She litigates patent, trademark and copyright cases before trial and appellate courts and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She counsels clients on trademark usage and clearance, and manages the U.S. and international trademark portfolios of a variety of companies. Her practice also emphasizes intellectual property and software licensing, as well as cybersquatting and domain name disputes. Overall, Catherine assists clients in protecting their ideas and brands. In 2009, Catherine was recognized as a Michigan “Rising Star” attorney in Benchmark: America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys. Catherine also has broad corporate litigation experience that includes representing clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in mediation and arbitration proceedings. As an assistant county prosecutor, she tried multiple felony criminal cases before a jury. Prior to joining Miller Canfield, Catherine clerked for the Hon. John Feikens of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She has also worked for the University of Michigan and the Children’s Defense Fund.
Catherine has appeared in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. District Courts and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple U.S. Courts of Appeal including the Sixth Circuit and Federal Circuit. She has also litigated domain name disputes and “cyber squatting” actions before the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Experience
Catherine and her team negotiated a high-stakes software license for a software developer that could result in large revenues but presented unique challenges. They were able to work through complicated issues by using an innovative strategy to reach a cooperative solution. Catherine also handles cases on a pro bono basis because she firmly believes that an important aspect of practicing law is service to others.
“My experience in intellectual property litigation, prosecution and licensing helps my clients achieve their goals by developing effective and creative solutions.”
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Co-Chair, Computer and Internet Subcommittee; Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
- Member, Advisory Panel
- Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter
- State Bar of Michigan
- Michigan Intellectual Property Lawyers' Association
Honors + Awards
- University of Michigan Law School, cum laude; Journal of Law Reform, 1999-2001; Contributing Editor, 2001; Criminal Law Society, Co-president and Community Service Co-chairperson, 1999-2000; Department of Academic Services, First-year Law Student Tutor, 1999-2000
- University of Michigan, Senior Leadership Award, 1997; Class Honors, 1996-1997; Golden Key Honor Society, 1996; Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science National Honor Society) Secretary, 1996; Psi Chi (Psychology National Honor Society), 1996; Michigan Daily, Fine Arts Section, Classical Music Critic, 1993-1994
- "Future Stars," Benchmark Litigation Magazine, October 2008
- Oakland County Bar Association, Featured Young Attorney in Laches monthly publication, September 2004
- Legal Aid and Defender Association, Honored for Pro Bono legal services, 2004-2006
Publications
Author with Saul A. Green and Michael H. Gordner, "Staying Put: Presenting a Successful Defense to an International Extradition Request," Mich. Int'l Law., Fall 2003, at 1.
Author, "Note, In Light of Reason and Experience: Against a Crime Fraud Exception to the Psychotherapist Patient Privilege," 35 U.Mich. J.L. Ref. 621 (2002).