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03 Aug, 2017 by Hetha
We only just started working with Jonathan Feil a couple of weeks ago. We needed information and advice on a software license agreement matter. Jonathan went out of his way to provide answers to our many questions. He was very knowledgeable and helpful and I am really happy that we were able to work with him! I would recommend him for sure!
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20 Jun, 2015 by Ken
Jonathan Feil has been my mouthpiece, er, attorney for decades. He is easy to work with, friendly, but most importantly, he writes very clear, concise and easy to understand documents. His work is careful and considered and he is sure to cover all the bases, while managing to keep documents short. I trust him implicitly and explicitly. I use him for all my legal needs except patents, as he's not a patent lawyer. He does all my copyright and trademarking work, however, and is knowledgeable about all aspects of IP.
No one is perfect however, and Jonathan's weak spot is timeliness. You may need to prod him along at times.
Jonathan will make sure that you understand what he is doing and why he is doing it. His explanations are clear and understandable. He will also listen to you and make sure that he is doing what you want, not just what he wants you to do.
With Jonathan handling my legal work I never ever have to worry about matters legal. I am sure that I'm getting sound advice and great documents.
Jonathan also has good business experience. He understands the motivation behind your requests which helps ensure that you get what you really need.
To be more specific, recently he has done work for me on developing investment term sheets, building and tracking our capitalization table, options agreements, and customer contracts. He written our company NDA, our employment agreements, and done all our company paperwork (business licenses, founding documents, etc.). My company is a relatively small startup and he is very conscience of our limited budget and finds ways to get what we need without breaking the bank.
Recently we had a copyright conflict with a company in Australia. We had resolved it some years ago, but a third party thought the copyright was still owned by the Australian company. Even though everyone that we had worked with in the Australian company was gone, he was able to find the right people there and get the matter resolved without resorting to threats or actual legal action. His persistence and gentle persuasion were what did the job.
In short, Mr. Feil has been everything we want and need in an attorney. To the point where I must add this disclosure, over the years he has also become a personal friend.
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28 Nov, 2007 by Anonymous
I was represented by Robert Adolph and his team for more than a year culminating in an eight day trial. I am in awe and eternal gratitude for his diligent and detailed work. I was represented at all times by professionals. Many times I entered the court room surrounded by a team of four men, each experts in their field. Each and every person on his team was knowledgeable and available at all times. From the day I first stepped into his office until the wire transfers were put in my account I knew I was represented by the best! I highly recommend Robert Adolph and his team to anyone who wants and demands representation of the highest quality.
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08 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
I have known Bob since the early 1990's when I came in contact with him through his representation of a mutual client. Later, in a very complex and protrated high-profile contract dispute, I chose him to represent me personally for three major reasons: First, I had seen him in action and was impressed with his skills as a trial lawyer, Second, he was recommended by a friend that I trusted, and Finally, I had observed that he headed a botique firm where the partners did the work, not a phalanx of associates. That made their efforts, in my view, more efficient and effective. I also knew that they won their cases.
My original assessment of Mr. Adolph as a trial lawyer was not only confirmed but amplified by the outcome of our litigation. Clearly, in a crowded room of lawyers, he stood out. He is the best trial attorney I have encountered and it stems from the fact that he stays engaged and alert. He’s smart, knows the facts, strengths and weaknesses of the case and is relentless in pursuing a winning strategy. I would unequivocally endorse him and will hire him again in any significant matter that I have.
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14 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Bob Christie is a great attorney and an even better person. I have worked with him twice.
The first case Bob, defended the City that I worked for against a lawsuit. He was able to get the case "dismissed" after the Plaintiff rested. He did a great job during the trial and was I was very impressed with him, as an attorney and a person.
I was so impressed with Bob that I employed him recently on a certification hearing. He was again very impressive in this hearing and he won this case as well.
Both times I worked with Bob he was always the most prepared attorney in the room.
I would recommend Bob to anyone; all other attorneys should strive to be like Bob.
Thank you,
Ryan Bonnalie
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06 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Bob did an incredible job negotiating a very large claim(almost 7 figures). He worked with our own legal counsel and they had nothing but positive things to say about the way he handled our situation.
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15 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I've worked several firms and various business attorneys in the city and no one can touch the level of expertise, efficiency, professionalism, and overall value that Paul Swegle brings to our organization.
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07 Sep, 2009 by Jeff
Paul served as in-house General Counsel while I was CEO of ShareBuilder up until its sale in 2007. He continues to serve as its GC today. He has an excellent grasp of legal principles across a broad range of areas, with particularly high level of knowledge in securities law, corporate finance, patent and trademark law and brokerage compliance. Paul is careful, thorough and has extremely good judgment and as his client, i found it a pleasure to work with him.
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07 Oct, 2014 by Evan
Tolis has advised my startup since I first incorporated three years ago. He understands the needs of early-stage businesses and his advice is pragmatic and sensible. He also prices many services at reasonable fixed rates which accommodate the budgets of bootstrapped entrepreneurs.
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26 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
Tolis was extremely helpful in providing business input as well as legal advise to guide me through product development and starting a small company. Though my product ideas did not come to fruition, he asked the tough questions early and helped me understand the risks and protections available to me as an entrepreneur.
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02 Dec, 2014 by Mark
I'm a small business owner who was hit with a lawsuit from a much wealthier client who cynically bet his deeper pockets would destroy my business long before his audacious claims would ever have to be proven in court. And I believe now that had any other attorney besides Mr. Paine represented me, this individual would most likely have been right. To my great fortune, however, Mr. Paine was my attorney and he proved to be exceptionally knowledgeable, skilled, and loyal to my cause.
And that is perhaps the greatest point I can make here in this review; Mr Paine was there for me, steadfastly representing me and making sure I understood what was happening in the suit and what my options were throughout. He literally kept me sane when I thought all was lost.
If attorneys have a doctor's equivalent to a "good bedside manner," Mr. Paine has it in spades.
We won the case and even more remarkably, managed to reach a settlement that actually compensated me for the original work I did for the client in question. At the start of the proceedings, I thought such an outcome totally unattainable.
If you're looking for an attorney who absolutely knows what he's doing and can skillfully navigate all phases of a lawsuit to your best advantage, you should give Mr. Paine a call and see if he can help.
I'm certain I'm better off for having done so.
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25 Nov, 2014 by Lane
Mr. Paine helped my partner and I navigate a very tedious and frustrating lawsuit we were forced to bring against a well funded nightmare client of our companies. His counsel kept us on track the entire case, helped us avoid any costly pitfalls, and ultimately led to a very satisfactory outcome for us. I can't recommend him highly enough.
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18 Apr, 2018 by David
Alexander has been the attorney for my creative agency for the last six years. He's been an exceptional partner who has helped me navigate dozens of business challenges from client contracts to employment agreements, and trademark registrations to copyright issues. I'm continually impressed by Alexander's competency in analyzing the big picture of my business/industry, while being able to delve into granular detail with clarity that actually makes sense.
Alexander's breadth of knowledge extends far beyond his legal expertise. His background from working in-house with startups and SMBs translates into me leaving our meetings with strategic business insight that only comes from experience. On one occasion, I approached Alexander to discuss spinning down a segment of my company, and he turned me onto seeing a host of other options I hadn't even considered, from a business restructuring to selling. His thoughtful problem-solving went beyond answering my initial legal questions, and focused on me finding the right, practical solution for my business.
On top of his expertise, it doesn't hurt that Alexander has just a remarkable sense of humor! He helps me approach each of our meetings with a grin, even the tough ones.
I'd encourage someone to partner with Alexander if they're looking for more than just solid legal work. Hire him because you actually want a partner that will help you become smarter from your work together!
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17 Apr, 2018 by Zachary
I frequently come to Alexander when I need someone to review contracts. Yesterday was no different - I emailed him at 9am to ask if he had time to review a new contract. He got back to me within a half an hour, and by lunchtime I had his edits in my inbox.
He's great at understanding the level of detail you're looking for. I didn't need an entire rewrite of this one, I just needed to clarify my understanding of a few clauses, and take the teeth out of a few more. He identified ways we could overhaul and improve the entire contract, but in the mean time provided exactly the sort of work product I was looking for, at the speed I needed.
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22 Apr, 2017 by Robert
I'm involved in a really weird prolonged case and David has produced such incredible paperwork/briefings/etc. I have 3 degrees and the level of professionalism, integrity, and legal expertise that David demonstrates is far above anything I have ever seen in my 57 years. I have worked with lawyers in the past (and no slight to them) but nothing compares to the level of expertise David brings to the table. For areas that David is an expert in I highly recommend him and his team. I will definitely be speaking his praise with all my friends at Microsoft as they too deserve the best if they need one.
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08 Jan, 2016 by Michael
David represented me in a complex appraiser liability and standard of care case, that included claims of violation of the Consumer Protection Act and Securities Fraud brought by unscrupulous predatory lawyers that did little to no discovery because they thought they had a lead pipe cinch of a case. Their exorbitant demands to settle the case forced me to go to a 2-week trial. David and his team were absolutely brilliant and made it clear to the jury that not only was I not responsible for the investors loss, in fact my client, a come to find out shoddy hard money lender who went to Federal prison, was 70% at fault, and the investors that brought the suit against me were 30% at fault for causing their own loss. The other side accused me of "mailing in" my appraisal. It was proven at trial that given the information I had and more importantly didn't have, my value of the property was spot on. They mailed in their litigation of this case and had they done their due diligence they would have learned about a hidden easement that was the primary cause of the loss. David's incredibly skilled defense and education of the jury, in spite of the other side's clever efforts to obfuscate the truth was a true masterpiece. David's efforts saved me millions of dollars, and was very very effective.
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07 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Karen was able to take complex legal concepts and explain them in simple ways I could understand. She's very accessible and easy to work with. I highly recommend her.
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10 Jun, 2013 by John
Karen provided innovative solutions for difficult copyright and advertising issues. She explains things clearly and in non-legal language that I can understand. Always very prompt to respond.
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02 Feb, 2010 by Nathaniel belo
I was referred to Bill from my Microsoft buddies back in the 90's because he supposedly defended Bill Gates II. I used him for a speeding ticket and negligent driving. He is awesome, but since he is now part of the largest law firm in the state and his focus is now on intellectual property it is fiscally prohibitive for me to hire him for a lowly speeding ticket because his rates have more than doubled. His invoice stated "$... to fight the evil forces of speeding." ;) I am now knowledgeable enough to fight my own traffic infractions pro se.
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16 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Bill represented me for a traffic ticket and did a great job!
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18 Apr, 2010 by Anonymous
I've used Aaron for several contract reviews and negotiations over the past year, and we have run into a few contentious issues with potential customers.
In these cases, Aaron upheld our corporate position and got the outcome we needed by being diligent and thorough, even in the face of some difficult customer counsel.
Aaron continues to be our go-to guy for contract review, and consistently looks out for our best interest, especially with much larger corporate entities.
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28 Jan, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron is very professional, tactful, honest man that I believe to be very much an assest to his clients. He is aware of the cost of doing buisness and is effichant with his time. Aaron has provided my company an extrodanary service and not only do I consider him a fine attorney, I think of him as a friend which in my experiance is an unusal combination. I am quite sure anyone who chooses to retain Aaron's services will be very pleased with the outcome, so save yourself a lot of time and look no futher Aaron is the best choice. Sincerely Jim Ingram
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18 Jul, 2017 by Megan kountz
Meeting Chris was a true blessing. As he took the time to get to know my businesses he asked great questions that I had not considered. Being as business owner, I was focused on growth, vision, sales, and marketing. The legal side of structuring the business was something I had not fully considered. With his guidance, I am taking steps to set up a formal business agreement, trademarking my names, and organizing the financial documents to ensure things are in line as the business continues to grow. He saved me from future headaches and shined light on a blind spot I didn't know I had. He is honest, fair, and thorough in his work. I would recommend him to anyone.
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04 Jan, 2017 by Adam
We hired Chris to help with some organizational changes. We wanted to make leasehold improvements for a future subtenant, receive a sublease agreement, form an LLC with another company, enter into a new operating agreement with the other company, redo our company employee handbook and create an Excel-based annual operating budget with performance measurement tools. I think Chris's background in accounting and finance, on top of his legal background, saved us time and money because we didn't have to hire a CPA to help us with some finance-related aspects in our agreements and plans. He did a great job of keeping us informed on hold ups, open items and when items would be completed and returned
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15 Aug, 2010 by Vanny
Jarrett took the time to listen to me as if I was his only client. He is an excellent writer which I feel is extremely important when communicating on behalf of clients. He is professional yet personable. I would recommend him to anyone.
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10 Aug, 2010 by Scott
Initially used him to help us with some trademarking. He was very informative, and quick to explain the process and do the research. He also proactively found some additional material we could trademark that will be valuable to my business. Was also cost effective.
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12 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Mr. Tullett is comfortable with complex technical matters and knowledgeable in the laws, rules and processes involved in patent prosecution. His years of experience and strong business and legal judgment are invaluable resources in shaping and executing offensive and defensive patent strategies.
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25 Mar, 2024 by Julia
David is a fantastic corporate attorney. We have been working with David for seven years, almost since the dawn of our company, and he is the only corporate attorney this company has had. We were looking for someone who would understand our then esoteric field (artificial intelligence applied to clinical medicine) and who was comfortable working with startups. David Phinney is the perfect person to work with. In addition to holding a JD, he has formal degrees in science, and a deep understanding of legal matters affecting medical technology companies. He is really easy to work with; and his boutique practice makes things go smoothly. If I send him a message, he usually replies right away. He has helped us on numerous matters, and we have found his advice to be excellent.
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19 Dec, 2010 by Bill
As part of a leadership team building a high-tech startup company, I've been confronted with a variety of situations requiring timely, savvy legal perspective. Cy Hersch has been absolutely key to my company making smart decisions in the face of such complexity.
Cy has impressed me with many attributes over the course of the past year's work. Beyond his obvious mastery of the law, Cy has tremendous patience and a breadth of ability to understand the technical challenges associated with my business. What I find particularly helpful is Cy's ability to assimliate the technical issues with the underpinning legal points . Consequently, Cy provides me well thought-out suggested courses of action and keen assessment of risk...all with a tremendously pleaseant demeanor and can-do attitude.
I could not guide our fledgling company to viabilty and success without Cy! He is a superiour attorney and advisor. If your organization needs superb counsel and professionalism, you cannot do better than Cy Hersch!
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29 Oct, 2013 by Cleve
Russell has assisted me with several patent applications over the past 8 years. Unlike many lawyers Russ is personable as well as skilled. He has a masters degree in electrical engineering. He handles technical applications as well as mechanically oriented. I haven't needed Russ for an infringement case but I hear he is excellent in the courtroom as well.
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17 Jun, 2017 by Kris
Having filed patents with more than 10 different patent attorneys over the years, I must say that Ben is without a doubt THE BEST I have worked with! He and I have worked together now on 8 separate applications in the space of biotechnology and software. Ben is remarkable in his ability and willingness to understanding new technologies at the deepest levels and is able to provide real insight into how best to generalize and protect the ideas. He puts in the extra effort and does background research necessary to bring himself to the level of expert in the field and then is able to fill in many of the gaps needed to build out a truly robust application. He asks the right questions and is very good at addressing ambiguity. His writing style makes the final applications an absolute pleasure to read with clear, pedagogical presentation of concepts and great strategic flow. The idea often ends up way better than when it started and I end up thinking, "Wow!". I can't recommend Ben highly enough!!
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04 Nov, 2015 by Liza
I hired Mark to help me with a contract/copyright issue, he answered all my questions and then some, he explained everything in a way so that I understood, and he was fast and nice. My issue was resolved and I have some good advice going forward.
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12 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Bob is a fabulous lawyer. He has done great work for me in the areas of copyright law, trademark law, advertising law and general issues related to e-commerce. I recommend him highly.
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08 Aug, 2007 by Anonymous
Brian did an excellent job providing answers to my questions and addressing ongoing issues with our intellectual property needs. I would most certainly use him again.
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03 Mar, 2014 by Steven
I began working with Jim in 2003 when my firm was sued by 3 former executives for wrongfull discharge. Jim is a great negotiator and we settled all claims within a few months. Since that time, he has assisted my firm for general business purposes and the occasional litigation defense. Another case involved an individual and his business insisting on a multi-million dollar payout from my company based on his non-compete. Jim won that claim in court and we were awared a $600,000+ judgement. Mr. Shore keeps me very much informed on any situation he (or his firm) is working on for me. He has my highest recommendtion.
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19 Nov, 2013 by Pam jacobson
Claire and I were partners together at one of the oldest intellectual property boutique law firms in Seattle. She is one of the finest intellectual property attorneys I have come to know over the years--respected by colleagues, staff and clients alike. I highly recommend Claire and her work.
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21 Nov, 2017 by Jeffrey
I brought Mike in as an IP litigator to represent a client of mine (IPCo) whose dispute with an infringer moved past the sparring stage into litigation. Mike quickly got up to speed on the matter, assembled a strong team, and developed the strategy to prosecute the infringement action. He and his team was diligent and committed - even drafting a brief over the July 4th holiday. The infringer claimed that it had the right to use IPCo's IP based on an expired license agreement. Mike's efforts led to a settlement that constituted a total victory - the infringer agreed to stop infringing, entered into a new favorable license agreement with IPCo, and made a settlement payment to IPCo that exceeded its total legal fees in the matter. He and his team were also consummate professionals and a pleasure to work with.
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21 Dec, 2012 by Bill
Chris was our attorney in a securities faud matter that involved many complexities, especially since the "securities" were actually tenant-in-common real estate entities (TICs). He was thorough and brilliant. Just as important, he always picked up his phone directly. I couldn't believe how accessible he was throught.
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22 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
I've worked with several attorneys in the past. In patent law however, Mason is the first attorney. I've been really happy with the work Mason has done for Livri. He spent a surprising amount of time explaining the process, our options and, keeping in mind that we were a tiny startup, his recommendations on what was the lowest cost direction to take.
I especially liked the fact that Mason used to work as a developer at Microsoft before he switched to law. And that proved to be extremely useful since Livri's product is very software centric and thus requires a technical background to understand.
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14 Oct, 2009 by Dave
John is an excellent attorney, and was a critical contributor to my in-house IP practice. His advise is direct, strategic, and very bottom-line oriented. He is up on all the latest technologies, and spends considerable time keeping up on competitors and related fields. As a result, his advice almost always reflects a comprehensive and strategic approach.
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18 Dec, 2011 by Blake
I work in the health care and fitness industry and had been working with a senior partner on obtaining an important patent. Sarah Nagae was brought in as a consulting partner and I was immediately taken with her knowledge in the field, (I believe she has a master degree in exercise physiology). We obtained our patent with very little in the way of revisions.
A few years later I wrote another patent and used Sarah Nagae exclusively. I was very pleased with her communication and dedication throughout the project. I have since used her for various contract reviews and royalty agreements. Her character is authentic and impeccable, and she is professional in all manners of her service. I highly recommend Sarah as an Intellectual Properties attorney especially in regards to exercise and health related innovativations.
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11 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
I have used Mr Newman for personal and professional matters for about 7 years. He is the best attorney I have used, and I have been through a lot. He not only gives superb legal advice, but he also has great business sense and can get to the heart of an issue quickly. I highly recomend him.
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17 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
My patent application in Artificial Intelligence was granted recently. Three years ago while looking for an attorney, I was not only skeptical about finding the right attorney who understands the advanced topics but was also concerned about how best I can cut down the expense since I was fully financing it. Today I can proudly say that Heather M. Colburn exceeded my expectations in all aspects. I had a great experience working with her and strongly recommend her.
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Questions? We have answers
What an Intellectual Property Lawyer Can Do for You
An intellectual property (IP) lawyer specializes in protecting the rights related to creations of the mind, including inventions, designs, logos, brands, artistic works, and trade secrets. IP lawyers help clients secure legal rights to their intellectual property, enforce those rights, and defend against infringement claims. They can also assist with licensing agreements, negotiating royalties, and managing intellectual property portfolios.
Whether you're a business seeking to protect a trademark, an inventor patenting a new product, or an artist protecting your work from unauthorized use, an intellectual property lawyer ensures that your creations are legally safeguarded and helps you navigate the complex landscape of IP law.
When Should I Hire an Intellectual Property Lawyer?
Hiring an intellectual property lawyer is beneficial in many situations where you need to secure, protect, or defend your intellectual property rights. Key scenarios include:
- Filing a patent: If you've invented a new product or process, a lawyer can help you apply for a patent and ensure the protection of your invention.
- Trademarking a logo or brand name: To protect your business's brand identity, a lawyer can assist in trademarking logos, names, slogans, or symbols.
- Copyright protection: If you’ve created an original work (e.g., a book, music, or software), a lawyer can help you register your copyright and ensure your rights are protected.
- Trade secrets protection: For businesses with proprietary information, a lawyer can draft agreements to protect trade secrets and ensure they remain confidential.
- Defending against infringement: If someone is using your intellectual property without permission, a lawyer can help you take legal action to stop the infringement and seek damages.
- Licensing agreements: If you want to allow others to use your intellectual property for a fee, an IP lawyer can draft or negotiate licensing agreements that protect your interests.
- IP portfolio management: If you have multiple forms of intellectual property, a lawyer can help you manage your IP portfolio, ensuring all assets are protected and strategically utilized.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help you avoid legal pitfalls and ensure that your intellectual property is adequately protected from the start.
What Does an Intellectual Property Lawyer Do?
An intellectual property lawyer provides a wide range of services to protect and enforce your intellectual property rights. They can:
- File patents and trademarks: Helping you prepare and submit patent or trademark applications to protect your inventions, brands, or logos.
- Register copyrights: Assisting with the registration of original creative works to ensure your rights are protected under copyright law.
- Litigate infringement cases: Representing you in court if your intellectual property has been used without authorization or if you're accused of infringement.
- Draft licensing agreements: Creating contracts that allow others to use your intellectual property while ensuring you retain control and receive appropriate compensation.
- Manage IP portfolios: Helping businesses and individuals manage multiple forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Conduct due diligence in business deals: Ensuring that intellectual property assets are properly valued and protected during mergers, acquisitions, or licensing agreements.
- Monitor and enforce IP rights: Monitoring for potential infringement and taking legal action when necessary to protect your IP from unauthorized use.
How Are Intellectual Property Lawyers Paid?
Intellectual property lawyers typically charge for their services in different ways, depending on the complexity of the work and the type of intellectual property being protected. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For specific services such as filing a trademark or copyright application, many lawyers charge a flat fee that covers all the work required for that service.
- Hourly rate: For more complex tasks, such as drafting licensing agreements or litigating infringement cases, lawyers may charge by the hour. Hourly rates vary depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fee: In some cases, particularly for IP litigation, a lawyer may work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they win or settle the case. Their fee would typically be a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded.
- Retainer: For ongoing IP needs, some clients may pay a retainer fee upfront to secure the lawyer’s services, which the lawyer then bills against as they work on the case.
It’s essential to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer upfront to ensure there are no surprises.
How Much Does an Intellectual Property Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an intellectual property lawyer depends on the complexity of the case and the type of intellectual property involved. General cost estimates include:
- Trademark registration: The cost of registering a trademark can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the complexity of the application and whether there are any issues during the registration process.
- Patent filing: Filing a patent is often more expensive, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the type of patent (utility, design, etc.) and the complexity of the invention.
- Copyright registration: Registering a copyright is usually less costly, with fees typically ranging from $300 to $1,500 for most creative works.
- Litigation: If you’re involved in an IP dispute or infringement case, litigation can be costly, with fees ranging from $10,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Licensing agreements: Drafting or negotiating a licensing agreement can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the terms and complexity of the agreement.
Always get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure that the services are within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Intellectual Property Lawyer
Before hiring an intellectual property lawyer, it’s essential to ask questions that will help you determine if they are the right fit for your case. Here are some key questions to ask:
-
What experience do you have with intellectual property law?
Ensure that the lawyer has substantial experience with your specific type of intellectual property, whether it’s patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or contingency, and get a clear estimate of what your case will cost. -
What is the likelihood of success with my application or case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of the chances of successfully obtaining a patent, trademark, or copyright or winning an infringement case. -
How long will the process take?
Ask about the expected timeline for filing your application or resolving your dispute, as IP matters can sometimes take months or years to finalize. -
What steps will you take to protect my intellectual property?
Ask the lawyer how they will help ensure your intellectual property is fully protected and what strategies they use to enforce IP rights. -
Have you handled cases similar to mine?
If your case involves specific industries or technologies, ask whether the lawyer has worked with similar clients and what the outcomes were.
How to Check the Credibility of an Intellectual Property Lawyer
To ensure that you’re hiring a reputable intellectual property lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for specific IP experience: Check their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in intellectual property law and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what past clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their professionalism and success in handling IP matters.
- Check for certifications or memberships: Membership in organizations like the International Trademark Association (INTA) or the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) can indicate expertise in intellectual property law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first meeting with an intellectual property lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant information and documents. Here’s what you should bring:
- A detailed description of your invention, brand, or creative work: Be prepared to explain what you are seeking to protect, including any unique aspects or characteristics of your intellectual property.
- Any existing IP registrations or applications: If you’ve already filed for trademarks, patents, or copyrights, bring copies of the relevant documents.
- Information on potential infringers: If you are dealing with an infringement issue, provide details of the alleged infringer, including evidence of the infringement, such as images, documents, or correspondence.
- Questions about the process: Write down any questions you have about protecting or enforcing your intellectual property rights, including timelines, costs, and potential outcomes.
- Your goals: Be clear about what you want to achieve, whether it’s securing a patent, protecting a brand, or enforcing your IP rights against unauthorized use.
Being prepared for your first consultation will help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide you with the best possible advice for protecting your intellectual property.
