Perkins Coie Launches Patent Agent Training Program to Expand Patent Counseling and Prosecution Capabilities for High-Tech Clients

NEW YORK (September 1, 2022)—Perkins Coie is pleased to announce the launch of a new patent agent training program designed to significantly expand the firm's patent counseling and prosecution capabilities for high-tech clients.

Six college graduates, known as technical advisors, are currently enrolled in the program, which is structured to support them in becoming qualified as patent agents and then in securing law degrees to practice as patent attorneys with Perkins Coie. The program was devised to support the firm's Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Counseling practice.

"We're excited about this new initiative and the broader capabilities it will provide to global clients across a range of high-tech industries," said David Fournier, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie's Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Counseling practice. "This investment creates a formidable differentiator for our already substantial and successful practice, and one that is squarely aimed at providing more efficient and effective solutions for our clients."

Perkins Coie has one of the largest patent prosecution services within the Am Law 50, providing clients a full-service legal approach that increases the strength, diversity, and value of their patent portfolios. Once qualified as patent agents, the technical advisors will increase the firm's current stable of patent agents, who are admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and help to secure patents, among other related responsibilities, for our clients.

The program provides a clear career path for graduates, as well as offering law school tuition, and reflects Perkins Coie's commitment to improving diversity and inclusion within the legal industry.

"Every year, we successfully secure thousands of patents for large companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators who rely on us to help them safeguard their cutting-edge research and ideas," said Nicole Dunham, firmwide vice chair of the firm's Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Counseling practice. "This initiative will help us to continue to attract highly talented graduates from world-leading institutions with backgrounds in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and biochemistry to join our practice and the firm."

The six technical advisors include Lois Lee, Vishal Ravi, and Zhida (Andy) Xu in New York; and David McNeill in Boise.

Perkins Coie's Intellectual Property (IP) practice combines the focus and flexibility of a boutique IP firm with the complementary services of one of the world's leading technology law firms. The internationally recognized IP practice consists of more than 250 attorneys and agents in the United States and Asia who provide innovative, holistic counsel at every stage of IP protection and development. Perkins Coie's Post-Grant Proceedings practice has represented and advised clients in post-grant trials since the inception of the America Invents Act (AIA). Perkins Coie's China IP Agency, licensed by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), supports the firm's IP practice.