Focus Areas
Examples of Rachael’s experience include:
Patent
- Represented major agricultural machinery manufacturer in a patent infringement case involving excavating equipment, successfully excluding key damages opinions in a Daubert challenge and successfully excluding willfulness arguments from the jury, leading to an advantageous settlement shortly before trial.
- Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement of all asserted claims on behalf of mulching equipment manufacturer in case alleging infringement of two utility patents relating to mulching attachments.
- Represented metal beverage can manufacturer in litigation alleging infringement of patents relating to can end technology, in which client won summary judgment of indefiniteness.
- Served as lead counsel defending international information and analytics company in defense of multiple cases alleging infringement of patents involving data technology. Successful in obtaining transfer of venue to client’s home state, leading to settlement favorable to client.
- Served as lead counsel for welding technology company in defending claims of patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation. Successfully obtained transfer of venue to client’s home state and dismissal of all claims against the client.
- Successfully represented pediatric orthopedics company in defense of patent infringement and trademark claims relating to rod reducers for spinal surgery, resulting in a beneficial settlement for client while summary judgment motions were pending.
- Represented manufacturer of greenhouse grow lights asserting infringement of utility and design patents and trademark against competitor and successfully obtained dismissal of all counterclaims. Client ultimately obtained advantageous settlement.
- Lead counsel in defense of national fast-food chain in patent litigation by a non-practicing entity, obtaining a settlement for a de minimus amount.
- Represented roofing materials manufacturer in defending patent infringement claims in the International Trade Commission and multiple federal courts, resulting in an advantageous settlement for the client during discovery.
Trademark
- Obtained summary judgment for major adhesive company on claims of false advertising based upon chemical composition of adhesive product and claims of trade dress infringement relating to product packaging.
- Served as lead counsel in various enforcement actions relating to trade dress and design patent rights for international online jewelry brand.
- Lead counsel in defense of preliminary injunction in a trademark infringement case involving national chain of health studios. Obtained favorable settlement for client prior to hearing on preliminary injunction.
- Lead counsel representing roofing company asserting trademark infringement of the company name by competitor, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
Trade Secret/Restrictive Covenant
- Served as lead Ohio counsel representing financial services client against claims alleging misappropriation of trade secrets associated with an annuity product and associated marketing scheme. The case culminated in summary judgment in favor of client on the basis that no trade secrets existed, which the Sixth Circuit later affirmed.
- Served as lead counsel in defense of a trade secret dispute over software technology involving automobile rates and residuals data, obtaining summary judgment on all claims and successfully defending the result on appeal to the Sixth Circuit.
- Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to protect a data analytics and legal research company’s trade secrets when an executive joined a competitor in violation of his non-competition and non-solicitation agreement. Judgment included an award of attorneys’ fees.
- Defended commercial roofing and waterproofing company in allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference with an employment contract, resulting in beneficial settlement for client after successful efforts in discovery.
- “Considerations for Global Patent Litigation,” IP Litigator, August 2020
- “Reasonable Measures Under the DTSA,” Bloomberg Law, January 2020
- “Sworn to Secrecy: Protecting Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property,” Risk Management Magazine, June 2019
- “Economics of Diversity White Paper,” Co-Author, Intellectual Property Owners Association, 2019
- “Remedies in Intellectual Property Litigation,” Editor, DRI Defense Library Series, 2018
- “Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession White Paper,” Co-Author, Intellectual Property Owners Association, 2017
- Panelist, “True Crimes: Tales of Trade Secret Thieves, What They Did, and How They Got Caught,” 2025 IPO Spring Summit, March 2025
- Panelist, “Mental Health in the Legal Profession,” 2023 IPO Annual Meeting, September 2023
- “Hiring & Retention Guide—An Introduction and Overview,” IPO Association’s D&I Committee Webinar, May 2023
- “IP 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Intellectual Property,” DRI Webinar, July 2021
- “How to Be a Better Ally for Diversity and Inclusion,” Panelist, IPO 2020 Virtual Conference, September 2020
- Moderator, “A Practical Guide to Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession,” IPO Spring Summit, March 2020
- Moderator, “Leveling the Playing Field,” DRI Women in the Law Seminar, January 2020
- “Strategy Considerations for Global Patent Litigation,” IPO Annual Meeting, September 2019
- Program Chair, DRI IP Litigation Seminar, 2019
- “Partnering for Diversity and Inclusion,” IPO Spring Summit, March 2019
- “Implicit Bias: A Discussion on Gender and Multicultural Bias in the Legal Market,” DRI International Seminar, June 2018
- Program Vice Chair, DRI IP Litigation Seminar, 2018
- “DTSA 2016: The Trade Secret Is Out of the Bag,” Webinar, June 2016
- “The Use of Forensic Analysis in Trade Secret Cases,” DRI IP Litigation Seminar, May 2016
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, 2025
- Obtained Gold Band ranking in the 2025 World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, Silver Band, 2021-2024
- Recognized as one of World Trademark Review’s Global Leaders, 2025
- Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list, 2022-2025
- AV® Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Named a “Woman Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal, 2020
- “Forty Under 40” award recipient, The Dayton Business Journal, 2011
- Selected for Leadership Dayton Class of 2011
Professional Associations
- DRI, Chair, IP Litigation Committee, 2024-present; Vice Chair, IP Litigation Committee, 2022-2024; Chair, IP Litigation Seminar, 2019, Vice Chair, 2018; Editor-in-Chief, Defense Library Series, Remedies in Intellectual Property Cases, 2018; Steering Committee, Women in the Law Committee
- Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), Vice Chair, Trade Secrets Committee; former Vice Chair, Women in IP Committee
- Federal Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Columbus Bar Association
Community Activities
- Mentor, Ohio Supreme Court Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, 2013-present
- President, Canterbury Village Association, 2022-present
- Board of Directors, Humane Society of Greater Dayton, 2011-2015
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 2001
- University of Cincinnati, B.A., 1998
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Thompson Hine Further Strengthens National IP Litigation Bench with Addition of Rachael Rodman as Partner in Columbus Office,
Thompson Hine LLP
, July 1, 2025