Has your patent attorney retired? If your patent attorney has retired or will retire soon, don’t freak out. This post will walk you through the necessary steps so that important deadlines do not fall through the cracks. You will ultimately need to find a new patent practitioner, and this guide on how to choose a […]
Category: Training and IP Law Practice
Should you sell your patent law practice?
Is retirement from the practice of patent law the best option? It is certainly possible to sell your patent law practice. Perhaps a more fundamental question is whether you should retire. If your mind and physical health will enable you to stay active in your profession, would it make more sense to stay involved in […]
The Art of Persuasion: How to persuade IP examiners
Why is persuasion necessary? If you’re going to be an IP attorney, you must be able to persuade. There is no way around it. Whether you’re focused on IP litigation or prosecution, the skill of persuasion is critical. Here’s the problem. Persuasion involves people skills and a proper balance of listening and speaking. When it […]
How to save clients money (while making money)
Is it possible to save clients money and earn more? It seems paradoxical to earn more by saving clients money. As IP attorneys, we practice a rather specialized and complex area of law. The complexities of IP law present strategic opportunities for streamlining patent prosecution and reducing the likelihood of trademark rejections. But, how would […]
Billable hour vs. flat rates
How clients perceive hourly billing versus flat rates When I started practicing IP law back in the last millennium, hourly billing was the standard for patent and trademark filings. Nowadays, flat rates for trademark and patent filings have become more prevalent. Client preferences have certainly impacted this shift from the billable hour to fixed fees. […]
IP Networking: What works for introverts like me
IP networking for introverts Have you ever attended a large networking event and felt like you lost a couple hours of your life that you’ll never get back? Not all IP networking events are horrible. Every once in a while, I would truly enjoy meeting someone who would later become a friend and business contact. […]
How can we help each other?
Helping younger IP professionals and practitioners I’m starting a new series of posts dedicated to helping IP professionals. My hope is that these articles will help IP attorneys train themselves not only to excel in their profession, but also to have a more enjoyable career. I have had the privilege of practicing patent and trademark […]