Attorney Profile

Matthew L. Prater is an experienced mechanical engineer with a passion for technology - especially automotive technology. After working as an engineer in the Detroit area for Yazaki North America, Inc. researching and developing next-generation electrical systems, he relocated to Minnesota to engineer high-pressure hydraulic systems for Eaton Corp. As a patent attorney, he expanded his depth by working on medical devices, while bolstering his automotive background working for automobile manufacturers, including a brand very well-known in the high-performance niche. Matt has an in-depth understanding of power sources including KERS devices, lithium-ion batteries and electrolytic capacitors. Matt daily counsels clients on patent strategy in addition to preparing and prosecuting patent applications. Matt received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, cum laude, from Michigan Technological University in 1998, and received his law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in 2006. Matt is pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Matt is a registered patent attorney and is admitted to the bar of both Minnesota and Washington, D.C. In addition to his commuter bicycle and the light-rail, Matt’s summer ride is a 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, and his winter ride is a 1971 Chevrolet C-10 4x4.

Areas of Practice:

• Automotive technologies
• Clean Tech
• Mechanical
• Optical/Laser

Bar Admissions:

• District of Columbia
• Minnesota
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education:

• William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN, 2005
  • J.D.
• Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 1998
  • B.S.
  • Cum Laude
  • Major: Mechanical Engineering

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law
• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association

Past Employment Positions:

• Eaton Fluid Power, Product Engineer, 2000 - 2002
• Yazaki North America, R&D Engineer, 1998 - 2000

Fraternities/Sororities:

• Pi Tau Sigma