Daniela Walters advises on all areas of transactional intellectual property (IP), including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and IP agreements. She focuses her patent practice on patent prosecution in the mechanical arts, electromechanical devices, manufacturing, and computer hardware and software. Dedicated to delivering a higher level of skill, technical accuracy, and broader coverage for her clients’ intangible assets, Daniela has ranked among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Michigan Lawyers Weekly™ Up & Coming Lawyers, Michigan SuperLawyers® Rising Stars, and Oakland County’s 40 Under 40.

Daniela represents and advises clients of all sizes, from initial start-ups to established larger corporations. Her passion is helping her clients grow, establish internal development processes that foster innovation, and establish a robust and high-quality IP portfolio to generate capital and provide a competitive advantage. Whether working with solo entrepreneurs, in-house counsel, executives, or engineering and R&D teams, she tailors her approach to each client’s specific needs, industry, and stage of growth. Daniela’s clients appreciate her considering their overarching business strategies, her candid counsel regarding the ongoing maintenance and development of a cohesive IP portfolio, and balancing their investment in intellectual property assets with the other financial demands of running an economically viable business.

Her patent experience includes battery and alternative energy technology, automotive, medical, construction, consumer goods, pet products, packaging, and computer software and hardware. Daniela regularly conducts prior art searches and novelty opinions, freedom to operate searches and opinions, and infringement analyses. She is experienced with preparing and reviewing IP agreements, including non-disclosure, licensing, ownership, assignment, work-made-for-hire, and image release agreements. For her computer technology clients, she also prepares and advises on end-user licensing agreements (EULAs), privacy policies, and terms of use agreements.

Daniela is an accomplished scholar who earned a J.D., M.S.E., M.B.A., and two B.A.s, with a focus on mechanical, industrial, and systems engineering. She also has over a decade of practical experience. Before practicing law and joining The Dobrusin Law Firm, Daniela worked as an automotive engineer at one of Michigan’s OEMs, where she was involved with various vehicle development and manufacturing stages. As an engineer, she was responsible for tooling, manufacturing processes, productivity, and ergonomics. She is also an avid DIY remodeler, spending her free time working on everything from the “bones of a home” (framing, electrical, plumbing) to the “frosting” (tiling, flooring, and decor). Her hands-on and real-world skill in the discipline of product development, assembly, and construction allows Daniela to quickly relate to and understand her clients, their innovation challenges, and what they hope to ultimately achieve.

In her spare time, Daniela enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, running, hiking, snowboarding, and boating. She has a soft spot for animals, with her dog and cats always adding humor to her days. She is a tremendous advocate for the Pontiac community, volunteering with local non-profits in community redevelopment, historic preservation, and economic vitality efforts. Daniela is also passionate about mentoring children and guiding them toward STEAM educational curriculums and careers.