Overview
Patent Counsel that Powers What’s Next
Our patent professionals work with clients ranging from start-ups to world-leading brands to analyze, protect, and monetize their inventions.
Our group includes more than 100 patent practitioners with technical expertise in the mechanical, electrical, computer, software, AI, life sciences, and chemical arts. Our lawyers and over 30 patent agents, scientists, and engineers are assembled into leveraged client service teams. Through this model, we can provide you with the best possible technical and legal service within your budget. Additionally, with such a large group of technical professionals, we are able to assemble a subject-matter team whose expertise closely aligns with your technology areas.
Chambers & Partners
Received Band 1 rankings for Intellectual Property in Wisconsin
Best Lawyers in America
Michael Best's Patent Law is ranked National Tier 1 by Best Lawyers in America; Litigation Patent Law National Tier 2.
Our Approach
The decision to seek patent protection requires balancing numerous factors. When patent protection is advisable, we prepare strong patent applications to obtain broad protection, implement strategic filing processes based on your goals and budget, and skillfully enforce your patent rights and defend against infringement allegations.
We begin with an understanding of your short- and long-term business goals. What are you hoping to achieve by protecting this asset? Is the project global or limited to a particular area? What are your budgetary constraints? How does this fit into your overall portfolio strategy? Armed with this knowledge, we help you maximize the value of your portfolio while minimizing downside risk.
Our Patent Engineer, Scientist, and Agent Program
With our patent team’s breadth and depth, paired with our leveraged service model, we provide cost-efficiency across patent matters without sacrificing quality. Michael Best was one of the first law firms to establish a robust Patent Engineer, Scientist, and Agent (ESA) Program. Our ESAs are trained professionals with industry and academic backgrounds. They support our lawyers in patent drafting, prosecution, and litigation, including post-grant proceedings.
Focus Areas
Driving Your Business Forward with Global Patent Expertise
Securing your key innovations in the places you do business is crucial for businesses to thrive in today’s global economy. We help you navigate U.S. and international patent laws to obtain the strongest possible protection for your assets. Thanks to our decades of experience and our high-volume practice, we have developed a preferred provider network around the globe, including pre-negotiated pricing. Additionally, Michael Best is the exclusive member firm in Wisconsin for Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms.
- Clearance Analyses: We conduct efficient U.S. and international patent clearance, or freedom-to-operate, searches and analyses to help you avoid infringing others’ IP. In instances where potential risks are identified, we work with you to evaluate alternate options such as design-around approaches and licensing agreements.
- Opinions: We also provide formal opinions on patentability (whether an innovation is patentable), non-infringement, and validity.
- Strategic Portfolio Guidance: Our team will work closely with your stakeholders to assess your ipatent portfolio, evaluate your risks, and provide guidance so you can make informed business decisions. We are keenly aware of the way each individual patent application fits into your overall portfolio and strategy.
- Competitive Intelligence & Foresight: We also monitor your competitors’ activity to help you stay ahead of emerging threats and opportunities. With proven tools and deep technical insight, we deliver proactive, forward-looking counsel in the fast-moving patent landscape.
- Post-Grant Portfolio Care: Post-grant, we offer flexible support for annuity and maintenance fee management, ensuring your portfolio remains protected and optimized.
Maximize the value of your IP through strategic licensing, development, use, and technology transfer agreements. Our team drafts, negotiates, and reviews all types of IP and technology contracts, including software and hardware-related agreements. We’re knowledgeable about AI, data, and security implications, and we provide clear guidance that achieves your objectives.
Make smarter, more informed business decisions with Best LuminEdge, our proprietary system for IP portfolio analysis. Whether you are contemplating an acquisition, planning a divesture, or looking to optimize your portfolio, Best LuminEdge reveals strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities to enhance value. We provide clear, actionable insights you’ll want to consider before making any significant deal.
Post-Grant Capabilities
- Our experienced Post-Grant attorneys have advocated for clients in over 90 inter partes review proceedings since 2013, achieving favorable outcomes for patent owners and petitioners alike. We’ve also successfully handled many post-grant review, ex parte reexamination, and covered business matter proceedings. Our litigators regularly manage post-grant proceedings concurrently with related district court cases, working collaboratively to accomplish our clients’ goals in both forums. Our large team of patent prosecutors provides subject-matter guidance as needed. This integrated approach provides you with zealous representation, in alignment with your broader IP strategy.
Patent Litigation
- When your IP is challenged, we have your back. Our trial-tested patent litigators combine practical experience with technical expertise, achieving a remarkable record of success before PTAB and in federal trial and appellate courts. By simplifying the most complicated technologies and business issues for judges and juries, our litigators clearly and convincingly advocate for or defend your position.
