Derek Micallef has a background as a patent engineer in automotive intellectual property, as well as backgrounds as an engineer in automotive manufacturing and natural gas distribution. His patent law practice includes patent prosecution, patent renewals, and prior art searches. His patent prosecution practice is focused in the areas of mechanical and electrical automotive systems, medical devices, and chemical arts. During law school, he obtained US Patents in the Wayne Law Patent Clinic and served on the board of the Wayne Intellectual Property Students Association for three consecutive years.