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Should I hire a local or national patent attorney?
The decision to hire a patent attorney is different from hiring an attorney for other reasons like personal injury or divorce. While those sort of cases are best handled by a local attorney because of state or even county-specific laws, patent law is national. Therefore, you must weigh your options and determine your own personal needs when looking for a patent attorney.
Patent Law is National
Attorneys who specialize in other practice areas must deal with local, state, and national laws, but patent attorneys only need to be concerned with patent law, which is nationally regulated. A California patent attorney can assist you in New York without ever meeting you in person. Many foreign companies utilize U.S. patent attorneys to file their patent applications.
All patent attorneys must be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which grants them the right to represent clients anywhere in the world. A California patent attorney frequently deals with overseas patent applications from China, Japan, and other parts of Asia.
The Benefits of a Local Patent Attorney
For some, meeting face-to-face is a necessity for getting things done. If you prefer to meet with your attorney in person, you would be wise to seek a local patent attorney. While the patent law remains constant no matter where you live, the qualifications of your attorney will vary depending on the firm you choose.
If your invention requires specific explanation or a demonstration during the application process to help your patent attorney with preparing your documentation, it’s much easier to be local.
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