Kathryn R.S.
Spray

Senior Attorney

OverView

Kathryn R.S. Spray is a Senior Attorney at Aloia Law and has developed a broad corporate transactional practice over the course of three decades of legal practice. Kathryn has represented corporate clients of all sizes in matters ranging from the incorporation and administration of small businesses and nonprofit organizations to the negotiation of multi-million-dollar mergers and acquisitions. Kathryn’s corporate law experience extends into the commercial real estate space as well, as she has provided counsel in a number of commercial purchase and leasing transactions. Kathryn has been an active member of a number of local charitable boards, associations, and organizations and has been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyers honoree and Blue Ribbon Panel member in the field of corporate law.

Kathryn also maintains a successful intellectual property practice with experience handling IP asset evaluation, registration, protection, and disputes. Kathryn was named a DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer in the field of intellectual property. Kathryn is admitted to all levels of the Michigan court system, as well as in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

CREDENTIALS

ADMISSIONS

  • State of Michigan, 1994
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1997
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 2017

 

EDUCATION

  • J.D., cum laude, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 1994
  • B.A., University of Michigan, 1991
Professional Affiliations
  • State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Real Property Law Section,
    Intellectual Property Section
  • Attorneys for Animals
  • Michigan Real Estate License, 2007
  • United States Green Building Council, Certified LEED-AP, 2009
  • Notary Public
  • University of Michigan Alumni Association
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
  • Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate Law, 2023-2024
  • DBusiness Top Lawyers, Intellectual Property and Patent Law, 2018-2022
  • Avvo, Rated 9.0
  • American Jurisprudence Awards (2), 1994
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
  • “Purple Reign … Fair Use Doctrine as it Applies to Artwork and Otherwise,” June 2023
  • “Can They Do That? – Legal Rights and Obligations,” May 2023
  • “Copyrighting Software,” March 2023
  • “Protecting Intellectual Property,” Farmington Public Library, Small Business Series, Speaker – February 2023
  • “Status Quo … For Now,” January 2023
  • “Saas Me!” October 2022
  • “Sustainability Branding,” August 2022
  • “Is It All in Good Fun? – Trademark Law,” June 2022
  • “IP’s New Baby NFTs,” October 2021
  • “The Importance of Being First – Trademark Law,” July 2021
  • “Student Employment Reminders,” March 2021
  • “Pandemic Tax Implications for 2020,” January 2021
  • “Staying Positive – Trademark Law,” October 2020
  • “Workplace Safety Complaints on the Rise,” September 2020
  • “Engaged in Counterfeiting – Trademark Law,” February 2020
  • “Trademark Troublemakers,” November 2019
  • “Well-Written Waivers and Really Respectable Releases,” December 2018
  • “The Name Game … Trademark Registration,” February 2018
  • “What Are You Doing for Lunch? – Fair Labor Standards Act,” June 2017
  • “Michigan Introduces Telehealth,” April 2017
  • “Is the News Fit to Print?” December 2016
  • “Don’t Miss the Mark!” October 2016
  • “Hiring Teens: Things You Should Know before the First Day of Working,” September 2016
  • “Director and Officer Liability in the Public Sector,” June 2016
  • “Is Your Party a Pyramid?” February 2016
  • “Access Denied: Parental Rights to Medical Records of Minors,” September 2015
  • “More Employees to be Eligible for Overtime Pay,” August 2015
  • “Is Travel Insurance Worth the Expense?” July 2015
  • “Is Your Summer Intern an Employee?” June 2015
  • “Michigan Boating Law Summary,” April 2015
  • “Google, Yahoo and Bing, PLCC,” March 2015
  • “Legal Developments in Website Accessibility,” January 2015
  • “Help for Small Businesses,” October 2014
  • “Booster Clubs Face IRS Scrutiny,” September 2014
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
  • Aging Paws, Inc., Animal Welfare; President, Executive Director; 2018-Present
  • Knobby Hill Farms Association; Vice President, 2005-2012, Committee Chair 2013-2021
  • Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy; Parent Club Committee Chair, 2013-2016
  • St. Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows; Catechist, 2013-2015
  • Spring Mills Elementary; Co-Chairperson, 2012-2014
  • St. Patrick Athletic Association; Board Member, 2009-2011
  • St. Patrick School; Auction Chairperson, 2011
  • Huron Valley Schools; Committee Chairperson, Guest Teacher, 2016