By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
In something reminiscent of a Star Wars or Harry Potter movie, attorney Jennifer Woodside Wojtala recently drafted a patent application on an inventive cloaking surface coating that makes three-dimensional objects invisible to electromagnetic waves, such as visible light.
“The videos from the inventors show objects disappearing as they pass below a coated surface, it is quite remarkable and has quite a sci-fi appearance to it,” she explains.
In another memorable patent application, the inventors came up with a brand new filtering technology to separate oil from water, even when surfactants are present—a technology with great promise for a variety of applications, including clean up of oil spills.
Woodside, a principal and patent attorney with Harness Dickey in Detroit, has done a lot of work in nano-technology, in batteries and fuel cells, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals, among others. Drawn to patent law for the ability to use a combination of both her law degree and her technical degree in chemical engineering, Woodside gravitated towards practicing in chemical and material arts, including nano-technology.
Growing up in a family with engineers and scientists, discussions at the dinner table often revolved around chemistry, biology, or physics. In high school and college, Woodside enjoyed studying chemistry and biochemistry, but also enjoyed the wider practicality of engineering.
“Chemists can figure out how to synthesize the compound in a lab, while chemical engineers take that synthesized formula and design the systems, equipment, and controls for making it on a large, commercial scale,” she explains.
After earning her undergrad degree in chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, Woodside went to work as an environmental and process engineer at Holnam, a precursor company to Holcim, the largest cement manufacturer in the world. Cement, she explains, is a concentrated product (a “glue”) that is later mixed with aggregates/stones and water to form concrete.
“It was a gratifying experience to be so intimately involved in the cement manufacturing process that literally builds and supports American infrastructure—roads, bridges, airport runways, buildings, and dams to name a few,” she says. “Seeing the Hoover Dam after having worked in the cement industry underscored what an incredible feat it was to build a concrete structure on that scale.”
According to Woodside, everything in cement manufacturing is done on a massive scale, from the quarry equipment and trucks to the mills and storage silos.
“It’s awe-inspiring to see a cement kiln operating, which typically has a temperature of around one-third the temperature of the surface of the sun. You can look right into the flame at one end of the kiln and see the product being made. I worked at an older manufacturing facility and it takes a lot of teamwork to keep such a facility operational. It was quite gratifying to be able to use problem-solving and engineering skills on a daily basis.”
Before the plant permanently closed a few years ago, Woodside turned to the study of law, earning her degree, magna cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School.
“I’ve always loved reading and writing, as well as science. When I was studying engineering and working as engineer, I really missed having daily opportunities to use my reading and writing skills,” she says. “I also knew I wanted to pursue a post-graduate degree and looked to some of my family members who are attorneys, including my mother and husband. In finding patent law, I’ve been so fortunate to be able to use both my science and engineering background on a daily basis, along with the reading and writing required for the practice of patent law.”
At Wayne Law, she found a solid legal education, with not only legal theory, but also a practical approach to practicing law, she says.
“I appreciated the evening program shared the same professors as the day program and students were treated the same regardless of whether we were enrolled in the day or evening programs.”
She found her law classes to be very interesting and pertinent to her life, having had the opportunity to be involved in contracts, property disputes, intellectual property, and environmental law issues through her career and also as a homeowner.
“I felt I was well prepared for practicing law after graduating from Wayne Law and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”
Woodside—who joined Harness Dickey in 2001—enjoys learning something new every day. An IP attorney must be able to understand an invention to draft a patent application to explain and claim it, she explains.
“Even though I may not be making new scientific or engineering discoveries myself, I’m able to vicariously experience these discoveries by helping inventors through the patenting process. Helping engineers and scientists with their new discoveries and breakthroughs as they pursue a patents or other intellectual property is an exciting process.”
Technology and science are quite important in the Detroit area, she notes.
“While the area isn’t always recognized for this, there’s a thriving community of private and public sector researchers, scientists, and engineers. I believe the region will continue to return to prosperity via ongoing technical innovation and cultivation of intellectual property to help us distinguish ourselves in the global community.”
The Michigan native—who was named among 2011 and 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers-Rising Stars—enjoys gardening, reading, and knitting, and volunteers at Lighthouse Oakland County Emergency Family Services for Holiday Families.
Woodside and her husband are big sports fans and frequently attend Detroit Tigers and Red Wings games, among other events.
“We’re also season subscribers to Michigan Opera Theater and appreciate the fact that the opera in Detroit had enough support to survive despite the recession and economic uncertainty, unlike in other cities.”
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