What Does an Intellectual Property Attorney Do?

The intellectual property attorney conquers both challenges. They help clients apply for intellectual property registration and litigate its infringement in state and federal courts.
 

Intellectual Property

Black's Law Dictionary defines intellectual property as:
 

"A category of intangible rights protecting commercially valuable products of human intellect. The category comprises primarily trademark, copyright, and patent rights, but also includes trade-secret rights."

The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 protects a person's intellectual property:
 

"To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."

 

Patents

Whoever improves, invents, or discovers a new and useful process, the machine, or similar, may obtain a patent for it. There are three types of patents:
 

• Utility – a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture or composition of matters, or an improvement upon an existing one.
• Design – a new and original design for an article of manufacture.
• Plant – an invention or discovery and asexual reproduction of a distinct new variety of plants.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) processes applications for patents. The application consists of several steps:
 

1. Research whether the invention has been publicly disclosed (e.g., in a research paper or symposium). If so, it can't be patented.
2. Conduct a preliminary search to determine if the invention is already patented.
3. Determine what type of patent (utility, design, or plant).
4. Fill out the online application.

Once the patent is applied, a USPTO examiner reviews the submittal and determines whether the invention or discovery is patentable. If so, the applicant receives a Notice of Allowance and an official patent grant after several weeks.
 

Copyright

A copyright provides protection "in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device."

The author of the work is granted exclusive rights to use and distribute their original works, such as literature, music, artwork, and sound recordings.


Although copyright is established for work at the time, it is fixed in a tangible medium. Many people register them with the United States Copyright Office (USCO) because registration gives the copyright holder the legal right to act against those who infringe on it.

Applications are filed with USCO, and if approved, the author receives a certificate of registration.
 

Trademarks

There are two bodies of trademark law – federal law and common law.
 

Federal Trademark Law

USPTO provides the following definition of trademark: a "word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others."

Federal registration of a trademark with USPTO allows the holder to protect it in federal court legally.
 

Common-Law of Trademarks

There is a rich tradition of common law protection for trademarks, usually part of the state's unfair competition law. The specific law in each state varies, but most are based on either the Model Trademark Bill or the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
 

Trade Secrets

A trade secret consists of three elements:
 

1. Is the information of independent economic value due to it being generally unknown;
2. It has value to those who cannot legally obtain the information; and
3. The information is protected using reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy.

Unlike patents, copyrights, and trademarks, there is no registration, federal or otherwise, of trade secrets. However, three bodies of law protect them:
 

• A common law tort action for misappropriation.
• Statutory protection, usually in the form of a version of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
• Recent federal protection under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 and the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016.

This protection includes the possibility of criminal action against those who misappropriate trade secrets.

A recent example of state action is Hughes v. AGE Industries, Ltd. In Hughes, AGE Industries manufactured cardboard boxes and packing materials. One of its employees, Michael Hughes, had worked for the company for nearly 20 years when he resigned and joined a competitor in cardboard manufacturing. He allegedly took trade secrets with him to his new employer. This case illustrates a common set of facts in a trade secret misappropriation claim.

Career Opportunities for Intellectual Property Attorneys

There are two main career paths for an intellectual property attorney. The first revolves around the acquisition of patents, copyrights, or trademarks from the federal government. The second path is that of litigation – pursuing or defending claims of infringement. Other career paths include working at USPTO or USCO as a trial board judge or becoming a law professor.
 

Intellectual Property Acquisition

The intellectual property registration or certification process with the federal government is very involved. Most people hire a lawyer specializing in this field. Any lawyer in good standing can represent someone with a copyright or trademark application. However, for a person other than the inventor to apply for a patent, the person must be a registered patent agent or registered patent attorney.

A registered patent attorney must have an educational background in engineering or the sciences and pass the patent bar, a notoriously difficult test.

Often, an application with USPTO or USCO is rejected. In this case, the intellectual property attorney can appeal the rejection to the appropriate appeals board. The patent application appeal process is discussed, but the procedures and forums for copyrights and trademarks are similar.

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) hears appeals from adverse examiner decisions.

An applicant for a patent, whose application has been rejected twice by a patent examiner, may appeal to the PTAB.

The intellectual property lawyer helps the applicant with their claim by:
 

• Filing a Notice of Appeal.
• Drafting an appeal brief within two months of filing the Notice of Appeal. This brief must be submitted to preserve the appellant's rights.
• Responding to the Examiner's Answer. This consists of filing a brief within two months of the examiner's response.
• Attending oral argument before the PTAB.

If the PTAB appeal is denied, the appellant may file for an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This unique court has nationwide jurisdiction. While it hears international trade disputes, money claims against the federal government, and other issues, over two-thirds of its workload consists of intellectual property cases. The intellectual property attorney represents their client in proceedings before the Federal Circuit.
 

Intellectual Property Litigation

Over 12,000 intellectual property cases are filed in federal district court each year. Many of them have to do with infringement. Again, patents are discussed, but the process is similar for copyrights and trademarks.

Patent holders have exclusive rights to using or selling their inventions. They can file a lawsuit against those who infringe on their patents for two reasons – to recover damages and obtain an injunction against further infringement. There are two elements to a patent infringement claim – ownership and validity of the patent.

The intellectual property attorney either initiates a claim against the defendant accused of infringement or represents the defendant against the infringement claim.

Appeals to the district court's decision are heard before the Federal Circuit.

Additionally, the intellectual property lawyer may litigate trade secret tort claims in state court.

Law School Professor

Another avenue for a seasoned intellectual property lawyer is to become a law professor. A stellar academic record, judicial clerkship, and extensive experience are helpful in this endeavor.

Many law schools offer LLMs in intellectual property. George Washington University Law School, for example, has offered an LLM in patent law since 1895. Law professors experienced in intellectual property are needed to teach these LLM programs.
 

How Do I Become an Intellectual Property Attorney?

The practice of intellectual property law can be highly technical. A bachelor's degree in engineering or the sciences is beneficial. In addition to a law degree and bar membership, an LLM in intellectual property is also beneficial for this career choice.
 

Essential Skills for an Intellectual Property Attorney

There are certain skills that a patent attorney must possess. These skills are expected to be exhibited by future employers.
 

1. A review of prior art, patent landscapes,  and other reports

Developing this skill is essential for young IP lawyers. Prior art searches can take different forms. Depending on the situation, the objective may be to determine whether an invention is patentable or to invalidate someone else's patent. State-of-the-art reports may be requested to help R&D teams identify which patents exist and which inventions to target. Before launching a new product, lawyers are required to draft a freedom-to-operate report, which is mandated by clients to avoid infringement lawsuits, product recalls, and launch delays.
 

2. Providing legal advice and assistance to executives in forming their  business strategies

In a knowledge-based economy, IP is crucial. In-house IP experts or external counsels can provide timely IP advice to business leaders. During this stage, the lawyer's business acumen becomes even more crucial.
 

3. Specialized skills for the USPTO

One of the most influential IP authorities and registrars in the world is the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You can have a great deal of success in your IP law career anywhere in the world by learning and gaining USPTO-specific skills. In addition to the USPTO, EPO and JPO are also sought after patent offices.
 

4. Advice and assistance in developing brands

Are you able to help clients with developing trademarks and distinctive trade dresses that will enhance their brand? This is a highly sought-after service. This type of work is immense and ever-growing.
 

• The availability and protection rights of various trademark phrases and designs need to be explained thoroughly to brand creators and owners.
• Dealing with disputes and domain transfers involving domain names.
• Exploring joint-branding possibilities and negotiating cross-branding agreements.
• Assuring that celebrity image rights are secured for the promotion of brands through brand endorsements.
• Checking e-commerce websites for products and services that may violate and infringe on brands' trademarks.
• Implementing a corporate policy to promote global visibility and brand recognition via electronic distribution of content.
• Managing the prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement of the active trademark. Brands with a global presence can submit registration applications and applications.

 

5. Negotiation of IP-related deals

Getting a license or an assignment is lucrative. A good lawyer at this work occupies the top of the food chain. You should definitely try to develop these skills and work in areas where such work is involved.
 

6. Compliance with IP laws

Tech, pharmaceutical, and media companies are also required to have these services before an IPO.  Due diligence programs may need to be created for patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, licensing, and confidentiality. The costs of analyzing IP portfolios and creating a detailed report can run into the millions for companies with heavy patent holdings. Intellectual property due diligence is an exciting area for IP lawyers during M&A and investment transactions.
 

7. Licensing of media and content

In addition to being a rapidly growing industry, media is highly IP-oriented. Lawyers provide the muscle for this battle, as content is king. We are fortunate. The following skills may be useful to you:
 

• Developing and negotiating domestic and international entertainment distribution deals for traditional media, video on demand, and the Internet.
• Sporting events have evolved into crucial sources of mass advertising through licenses and sponsorships.
• As global content becomes popular on a local level, enforce your copyright globally. What can you do to enforce copyright in a sub-Saharan country or a central Asian kingdom? You may be required to do so. 

 

8. Drafting patent claims, patent applications,  and amendments

The task of writing patent claims is a critical one that can prove very costly if done incorrectly. Executives and inventors with extensive experience will only work with highly qualified and proven experts. As a result, if you can build a reputation for drafting good patent applications, which include drafting the claims of the invention as well as amendments, you are likely to find great demand. There is also a good chance that you will attract top packages from IP lawyers. Inventors can file patent applications in their own names even if they are not lawyers. Engineers, scientists, and domain experts are often sought out for their expertise. 
 

9. Preparation and filing of provisional patent  applications and design applications

Rarely, top patent lawyers draft provisional patent applications or design applications, and juniors are often the ones who draft them. For this reason,  knowing how to draft provisional patent applications and design applications is an important skill for baby IP lawyers. It will help you a great deal if you demonstrate these skills during an internship or interview.
 

10. Monitoring of grey markets and IP raids

Intellectual property infringements and grey market goods result in massive losses for trademark and patent owners. Also, a major concern is the sale of copyrighted content on the grey market. Market diversification is estimated to cost US brands $63 billion each year.

Grey markets are a huge problem on the web as well as in real life, so companies prioritize the fight against grey market infringement on the internet and in person. IP law firms make good money from IP monitoring services, as well as raiding grey markets to ensure IP owners' rights are protected. For these raids to be successful, Anton Pillar orders or John Doe warrants may be required from local courts.

Read these articles for more information:
 

• What's the difference between Patent Law, Trademark Law & Other Intellectual Property Practice Areas?
• Careers In Intellectual Property Law
• Intellectual Property Attorney Job Description
• Entry Level Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs - Related Job Titles

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.