CEO Emeritus, Harness IP
Bill Coughlin is CEO Emeritus of Harness IP. Prior to joining Harness, he was President & CEO of Ford Global Techologies, LLC. A longtime champion of Metro Detroit’s business and technology communities, Bill began his career as an electrical engineer working on batteries for electric vehicles before he pivoted to a career in intellectual property law. While at Ford, he spearheaded the opening of a Detroit chapter of Techstars (a national startup accelerator) to mentor and fund early-stage companies in the mobility sector and other tech areas. He also served as Adjunct Professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School for more than ten years and taught classes in trade secret law, e-commerce law, and IP risk management.
Harness IP's Diversity & Inclusion Committee seeks out opportunities to attract diverse talent to the firm and promote a supportive environment within it. The firm also offers a Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship for law students; organizes and sponsors a variety of events to promote diversity in IP fields, such as their IP Innovation Diversity Sprint Event; and is actively pursuing Midsize Mansfield Rule certification.
Joined LCLD 2021
Highlights of LCLD Participation
Fellows Program
Fellows nominated:
2023: Joel Samuels; 2022: Alex Chang
Pathfinders Program
Pathfinders selected:
2023: Spenser Schwabe, Daniel Kim; 2022: Jewell Briggs, Jennifer Turchyn
1L Scholars Program
Scholars hosted:
2022: Sarah Kratt, Sydney Schnur
Attendance
Leadership Summit (2021)
Member: Bill Coughlin
Diversity Professionals: Leanne Rakers, Lisabeth Coakley
Communications: Alona Gordon
