HOW TO SELECT A PATENT ATTORNEY?

If you have had little exposure to the legal practice, then selecting a patent attorney to handle your patent application may be overwhelming.  To get an idea of what the market rate is for patent attorneys, we suggest that you call several patent attorneys found in your Yellow Pages, listed on a state-bar association website directory, or in a Google, Yahoo, or Bing search.  

The patent attorney should be highly experienced in your technology area and be able to understand the science and engineering behind your invention.  The patent attorney should also be highly trustworthy and be available to help you in the future.  You are about to engage in a multi-year relationship with a professional, who will be responsible for protecting your current and future inventions, so take your time and do your homework.

We suggest that you call patent attorneys and not patent agents because patent attorneys can handle all of your potential patent prosecution needs, and not just the drafting and prosecution of your patent application.  Therefore, they will be able to advise you on all aspects of your invention, for example, from drafting and prosecuting your patent application to delivering freedom-to-operate and infringement opinions in the future.

After you have your market rates, you will be in a position to make an informed decision as to what the market rate is for your patent matter.   

At Terra Nova Patent Law, PLLC, we are able to offer high quality patent prosecution services for a mid-range flat fee rate because of our low overhead.  First, we are located in the Upper Midwest, which is a relatively inexpensive part of the United States.  Second, we are located in an inexpensive suburban location.  Third, almost all of our business is conducted over the phone or by e-mail, so we do not need an expensive office.  Therefore, we are able to provide mid-range fixed fee rates that will provide you with excellent value for your money.  However, if you are looking for the cheapest patent attorney, please go elsewhere.  There is always someone willing to quote a lower price.  

If you are a new client, we will ask you to sign a client engagement letter and put a substantial portion of the expected fee into a client trust account.  After your work is completed, we will send you an invoice for the remainder, which will be due within 30 days.  If you are an existing client, we will extend you credit.  If you have any further questions, please contact us.