Interview with Patrick
What is your legal focus?
I am a registered U.S. patent attorney. I am admitted to practice in Illinois, as well as the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I enjoy patent law because it combines my technical background and interests with my legal skill set in a way that I find challenging and fulfilling.
Who are your preferred new clients?
I prefer to work with individuals and businesses that have a new product or process to protect. The earlier in the process I can be involved, the better guidance I can provide. There are ways in which inventors can inadvertently lose the rights to protect their inventions and I want to be involved from the start to help avoid those pitfalls.
Tell us about Richards Patent Law
Richards Patent Law was established in 2009. I envisioned a patent law firm where I could continue to practice patent prosecution and counseling without the overhead and inflexibility of a large law firm structure. Streamlining my practice has allowed me to provide the same high quality legal services with flexible and responsive fees. Also, as a solo practitioner, all clients deal directly with me, which is a more satisfying experience for clients than dealing with an administration heavy firm.
What did you do prior to opening Richards Patent Law?
I started with McDermott Will & Emery in 1999 as a summer associate between my second and third years of law school. After law school in 2000, I rejoined McDermott as a lawyer in the intellectual property group practicing patent law. I made partner in 2006 and left McDermott at the end of 2008 to start Richards Patent Law in early 2009.
Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
I was an engineering major as an undergraduate. I enjoyed the technical aspects of my coursework and my engineering work experience, but I did not feel a connection to the profession. I went to law school to explore an alternate career path where I could use my technical skills. Once I started my patent law coursework with my patent law professor Judge Randall Rader of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals I was hooked. My work at the University of Virginia Patent Foundation during law school confirmed my love for writing patent applications and patent licenses.
What do you like best about your career?
It would be tough to pick one thing I like best. I definitely enjoy the diversity of technology with which I get to work. The variety keeps things fresh. I also truly enjoy working with my clients themselves. They are innovators and problem solvers and can be exciting collaborators.
What is your approach as a patent attorney?
I approach my client interactions as though I am an educator, teaching my clients the relevant elements of patent law. I want my clients to be a valuable part of the process and I want them to be confident in the direction we take to protect their rights and interests. In order to do so, they must understand what we are doing and why we are doing it. With my clients I am open, clear and patient.
When I sit down to write a patent application or patent opinion I am a problem solver. I attack your invention from the perspective of a designer looking to improve the impact of your invention as well as from the perspective of a competitor looking to design around your invention. In my analysis and writing I am creative, critical and demanding.
Being able to express both of these sides of my personality professionally is deeply satisfying. It is what keeps me engaged and enthused about my work and your patent matters.
What are your other personal interests?
I am a hobbyist musician. In addition to playing the electric and double bass, I am a bit of an electronics junky and enjoy building and restoring tube amplifiers. I’m a huge fan of the Fender and Marshall guitar amplifiers of the 1950s and 60s and the Ampeg bass amplifiers of the 1970s.
