Bill C. Panagos

Bill C. Panagos is an intellectual property and business attorney with Panagos Kennedy PLLC in the Troy, Michigan, area. He advises companies on patents, trade secrets, technology agreements, licensing, and commercial transactions. His experience spans both litigation and business counseling, allowing him to examine disputes and deals through an operational perspective. He has spent more than three decades serving as in-house counsel, including as chief intellectual property counsel at Lear Corporation.

Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University and a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is admitted in Michigan and Wisconsin and registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Those credentials support his work drafting patent applications, analyzing intellectual property rights, and advising on disputes involving technology. His background also includes advising businesses subject to federal contracting requirements.

Bill has structured technology company acquisitions, negotiated cross-licenses, and litigated patent and trade secret disputes. He helped establish engineering entities in China focused on next-generation battery development and has handled company formation and transactions in several countries. His prior in-house positions included work with BASF, SC Johnson, Detroit Diesel, and the U.S. Army. He also advises government contractors on FAR and DFARS issues.

Bill C. Panagos has received recognition from The Best Lawyers in America for intellectual property litigation, corporate law, and patent law, along with Michigan Super Lawyers recognition for intellectual property litigation in 2026. He writes and speaks about technology protection, defense contracting, and intellectual property risks. His combination of transaction, litigation, and in-house experience helps clients connect legal decisions with the commercial value of their innovations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Panagos Kennedy PLLC
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, State Bar of Wisconsin

Licensed State

• Michigan
• Wisconsin

Education

• University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Bradley University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges