Richard E. Coates
Engineer & Attorney at Law | Intellectual Property Strategist
Professional Overview
Richard E. Coates represents a unique intersection of technical engineering expertise and legal professional achievement. As both an engineer and attorney at law, Richard brings a sophisticated understanding of both the technical dimensions of engineering innovation and the legal frameworks necessary to protect intellectual property.
Technical Engineering Background
Richard's engineering foundation provides deep understanding of mechanical systems, propulsion technology, and the technical innovations developed by the Coates family. This technical competence enables him to comprehend the nuances of engineering patents and the claims that protect innovations.
His engineering background allows him to communicate effectively with research engineers and understand the commercial value of technical breakthroughs.
Legal & Intellectual Property Expertise
Beyond his engineering credentials, Richard's law degree and legal practice provide specialized expertise in:
- Patent Law: Filing, prosecution, and defense of patent applications
- Intellectual Property Strategy: Developing comprehensive IP protection across multiple jurisdictions
- Technology Licensing: Structuring licenses for patent and technology portfolios
- Patent Portfolio Management: Maintaining and enforcing intellectual property rights
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring innovations meet legal and regulatory requirements
Role in Coates International
Richard's dual expertise makes him invaluable to Coates International's operations. With over 300 international patents to manage and protect, the company requires someone who understands both the technical value of innovations and the legal complexities of global patent protection.
His work ensures that Coates International's intellectual property receives optimal protection and that the company's innovation investments are safeguarded against competitive threats.
The Engineer-Attorney Advantage
The combination of engineering and legal expertise is exceptionally rare and valuable. Most attorneys lack the technical depth to fully comprehend engineering innovations, while most engineers lack legal training. Richard's hybrid background enables him to:
- Translate between engineering and legal teams seamlessly
- Understand both technical feasibility and legal enforceability
- Identify valuable innovations deserving patent protection
- Develop patent strategies aligned with business objectives
- Defend against claims of patent invalidity or infringement
Family & Professional Integration
Richard exemplifies how family members contribute specialized expertise to Coates family enterprises. While George J. Coates brought the technical genius of propulsion system innovation and Gregory brings research leadership, Richard brings the legal and strategic expertise necessary to monetize and protect those innovations globally.
This complementary expertise structure is a hallmark of successful family enterprises—combining different professional disciplines to create comprehensive organizational capabilities.