Kate DeVries Smith

Kate loves her work as a patent prosecution and counseling specialist. She relishes the fun and challenge of learning about new technology and puzzling over the best ways to describe it to get the strongest rights. Her commitment to her clients and detailed writing skills shine through in her work. Kate also enjoys sharing her deep knowledge of the patent system.  Her specialties include applying for and obtaining patents, analyzing patent clearance and infringement issues, managing patent portfolios, and other intellectual property counseling. She has worked with a wide range of technologies, including mechanical and electrical devices, software systems, medical devices, and consumer products. Specific products and industries include cardiac rhythm management devices, ablation, video recording and processing, vehicle ignition control, breath alcohol detection, windows, manufacturing equipment for windows, packaging, radio communication devices, and HVAC systems, among many others.

Kate studied physics and worked as a research assistant in computer modeling for atomic and molecular collisions involved computer programming in the C++ language. This experience, along with her internships at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory honed her ability to grasp complex technologies and to work with scientists and engineers of diverse areas of expertise. 

Prior to co-founding Pauly, DeVries Smith & Deffner, Kate was a partner at the law firm of Merchant & Gould, where she practiced law for 9 years. Kate has repeatedly been named a Rising Star and a Super Lawyer in Intellectual Property by Super Lawyers magazine.

Kate is committed to improving access to justice and has worked hard at this for many years. Kate assists low income people in landlord-tenant matters on a pro bono basis through the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) since 2001. Among other awards, Kate received the John D. Levine Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award from VLN in 2018 for her years of service and dedication to equal justice for all. 

Kate loves to canoe, hike, read, spend time with her family, and participate in school activities including mentoring the Hopkins High School FIRST robotics team.