Ann R. O’Neill

Ann is a Principal Attorney at Quinn IP Law and offers a broad range of intellectual property services to clients in a variety of technical industries. As an attorney and engineer who has spent several years managing business operations within prominent automotive industry suppliers and OEMs, Ann understands the legal, technical, and corporate implications of IP portfolio management.

She specializes in preparing and prosecuting patents, conducting infringement and invalidity analysis, negotiating commercial contracts and transactions, implementing brand protection initiatives, and managing licensing, product, and technology development. Ann also has significant hands-on experience with automotive and manufacturing systems including electronics, software, powertrain and hybrid, chassis, and communication and diagnostics. She uses her expertise to provide technical problem solving and solution development services for clients, including design-around, warranty improvement, and quality concern resolution. Ann’s focus is helping clients leverage intellectual property assets to enhance and secure their market standing.

Prior to her work with Quinn, Ann served as Consulting CEO for imX Solutions, Inc., a technology venture specializing in multi-party authentication technologies, network-based payment systems, and online information security systems. She also served as the Director of Aftermarket Engineering and Business Operations and the Director of Vehicle Service and Programs within Ford Motor Company’s Customer Service Division. In these roles, she oversaw the Ford Component Sales LLC and Ford Power Products LLC subsidiaries, as well as Blue Diamond Parts LLC and OE Connection LLC joint ventures. She also managed licensing, distribution, and royalty agreements for associated products, global anti-counterfeiting, and brand protection programs, and led the Ford Global Concern Reporting and Investigation and Quicker Service Fix systems. Ann has held significant leadership positions at United Technologies Automotive, Tenneco Automotive, and TRW Automotive, where she restructured operations quality systems, conducted technical and discovery investigations, and implemented lean manufacturing and continuous improvement systems. Her substantial experience with influential automotive industry companies has given her invaluable insight into the business challenges her clients face, and how actionable IP strategies can help them achieve business goals.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Science with High Honors in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from Michigan Technological University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Michigan State University College of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association, and the International Trademark Association. Ann has served on several boards, including the Michigan Tech Fund Board, the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board, and the American Society for Quality Board of Directors. She was previously featured as a Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” Honoree and has been recognized as a Fellow by the American Society for Quality.

RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS, PUBLICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

• Michigan Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law 2023
• Lawyer Monthly Magazine, Women in Law Award 2017
• Ideation Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), Directed Evolution, and Innovation 2008
• Six Sigma Certified Black Belt and Project Champion, Ford Motor Company 2001
• MIT Enterprise Forum Savvy Entrepreneur Series, Invited Speaker, “Intellectual Property Protection” 2011
• Trustee, Michigan Tech Fund, Michigan Technological University 1992 – 2000
• Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40” Honoree, Detroit, Michigan 1999
• Detroit College of Law Scholar, Michigan State University College of Law 1983 – 1987
• Fellow, American Society for Quality 1997
• Certified Reliability Engineer, American Society for Quality 1990
• Certified Quality Engineer, American Society for Quality 1985