Fractional Patent Counsel
A fractional patent counsel arrangement provides a company with continuing, regular access to experienced patent counsel in a role similar to in-house counsel, but without the need to hire a full-time employee. Counsel in this role can help the company determine what should be done to achieve its objectives, advise on patent and intellectual property strategy, and assist in carrying out those strategies efficiently.

Why a Fractional Arrangement May Make Sense
Many smaller or growing companies need regular patent and intellectual property guidance but do not have enough ongoing work to justify a full-time in-house patent attorney. A fractional arrangement can provide continuity, senior judgment, and practical support on a regular basis while remaining more flexible than a full-time hire and providing a broader advisory role than a traditional outside-counsel relationship.

Relevant Experience
I have drafted and prosecuted a large number of patent applications for clients, including many relating to marketed products. In addition, I have coordinated filing and prosecution in foreign countries and have provided many different types of opinions, including patentability, freedom-to-operate, validity, and infringement opinions, as well as opinions concerning company patent portfolios. My experience includes both major law-firm practice and a long-standing solo practice, as well as prior scientific experience before entering law.

I am also an inventor with issued patents and pending applications. In recent years, I have also used AI-assisted workflows in invention development and patent-related work. This gives me a practical perspective not only on patent drafting and prosecution, but also on how inventions are actually developed and positioned for protection.

Appropriate Companies
Companies that may benefit from a fractional patent counsel arrangement are innovation-driven companies that want steady senior patent support on a remote basis. This may include companies with ongoing patent prosecution needs, companies developing or managing patent portfolios, companies with strong invention flow, companies with outside counsel to coordinate with, and companies that want ongoing practical strategic guidance on intellectual property matters.