Patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets represent some of your most valuable business assets. A competitor using your brand name, a former employee sharing proprietary processes, or an infringer copying your patented invention can undermine years of investment in weeks. Texas hosts thousands of technology companies, manufacturers, and creative enterprises that need protection for their innovations. The Eastern District of Texas alone has ranked among the top five patent litigation venues nationally, and the Western District in Waco has emerged as a major patent docket since 2020.
What Intellectual Property Attorneys Handle
Patent Prosecution and Protection
Patent attorneys guide inventors through the application process with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This includes prior art searches, claim drafting, responding to office actions, and managing international filings. Many Texas IP attorneys hold engineering degrees and technical backgrounds that allow them to understand complex inventions in fields like software, biotechnology, oil and gas equipment, and medical devices. Texas has a strong patent ecosystem, with Houston, Austin, and Dallas all hosting significant technology sectors that generate substantial patent activity.
Trademark Registration and Enforcement
Trademarks protect brand names, logos, slogans, and other identifiers that distinguish your products or services. Attorneys handle federal and state registrations, monitor for potential infringers, send cease and desist letters, and litigate trademark disputes. They also conduct clearance searches before you launch a new brand to avoid conflicts with existing marks. Texas state trademark registration provides additional protection for businesses operating primarily within the state, though federal registration offers broader rights.
Copyright Protection
Copyright protects original works of authorship including software code, written content, photographs, music, and artistic works. While copyright exists automatically upon creation, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides important benefits including the ability to sue for infringement and recover statutory damages and attorney fees. IP attorneys advise on copyright registration, licensing, and enforcement of rights against infringers.
Trade Secret and IP Litigation
When competitors misappropriate your confidential information or infringe your patents, litigation becomes necessary. IP litigators represent clients in federal court, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the International Trade Commission. Texas federal courts, particularly the Eastern and Western Districts, have developed significant expertise in patent litigation. The Western District in Waco has become one of the busiest patent dockets in the country under Judge Alan Albright.
How to Choose an Intellectual Property Attorney
IP law requires both legal expertise and technical knowledge. Look for these qualifications when selecting counsel:
USPTO Registration: Patent work requires registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Verify your attorney holds this credential if you need patent prosecution services.
Technical Background: Attorneys with degrees in engineering, computer science, chemistry, or life sciences can better understand and protect complex inventions.
Litigation Experience: If enforcement may be necessary, ask about the attorney’s trial experience in relevant courts.
Industry Focus: Some firms specialize in specific sectors like software, energy, or medical devices. Industry expertise can speed up the protection process.
Texas Intellectual Property Law Firms
Yee & Associates, P.C.
Location: Plano, Texas
Website: https://www.yeeiplaw.com
Phone: 972-385-8777
Yee & Associates focuses exclusively on intellectual property law, serving technology-oriented clients with patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters. Founded in 2004, the firm employs approximately 13 attorneys, all registered to practice before the USPTO. Their technical expertise spans aerospace, computer software, telecommunications, semiconductors, medical devices, and nanotechnology.
Practice Focus:
- Patent prosecution and portfolio management
- Trademark registration and enforcement
- Copyright protection
- Trade secret counseling
Bracewell LLP
Location: Houston, Texas (with offices in Dallas and Austin)
Website: https://www.bracewell.com
Phone: 713-223-2300
Bracewell has built one of the most highly regarded intellectual property practices in Texas since its founding in 1945. The firm handles patent prosecution, trademark registration, IP litigation, and technology transactions. Their team includes patent attorneys with technical degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical, and architectural engineering, as well as computer science and physics. The firm serves clients in energy, technology, healthcare, and consumer products industries.
Practice Focus:
- Patent prosecution and litigation
- Trademark and copyright protection
- Technology licensing and transactions
- Trade secret litigation
Jackson Walker LLP
Location: Houston, Texas (with offices across Texas)
Website: https://www.jw.com
Phone: 713-752-4200
Jackson Walker’s intellectual property team includes attorneys with advanced degrees in engineering and applied science who are licensed to practice before the USPTO. The firm has litigated IP matters in federal and state courts across the country, including successful appeals to the Fifth Circuit, the Federal Circuit, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and the U.S. Supreme Court. They represent Fortune 500 companies in patent, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, and copyright matters.
Practice Focus:
- Patent prosecution and litigation
- Trademark and trade dress protection
- Trade secret enforcement
- IP licensing and technology transfers
Costs and Fees
Patent prosecution typically ranges from $8,000 to $20,000 or more for a standard utility patent application, depending on complexity. International filings add significant additional costs. Trademark registration runs $1,500 to $3,000 for straightforward applications. IP litigation costs vary dramatically based on case complexity, with patent infringement cases often exceeding $1 million through trial. Many firms offer flat fees for prosecution work and hourly billing for litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a patent attorney or can any lawyer help with my invention?
Only attorneys registered with the USPTO can prosecute patent applications before the Patent Office. General business attorneys can assist with IP strategy and contracts, but patent prosecution requires USPTO registration. Many patent attorneys also hold technical degrees that help them understand complex inventions. Texas has a large pool of registered patent attorneys, particularly in the Houston, Austin, and Dallas technology corridors.
How long does the patent process take?
Standard utility patent applications typically take two to four years from filing to issuance. The timeline depends on the technology area, examiner workload, and how many office actions require responses. Expedited examination options exist for certain qualifying applicants. Design patents generally issue faster, often within one to two years.
What is the difference between a patent, trademark, and copyright?
Patents protect inventions and processes for a limited term (typically 20 years from filing). Trademarks protect brand identifiers like names and logos, potentially indefinitely with proper maintenance. Copyrights protect original creative works like software code, written content, and artistic works. Each type of intellectual property serves different purposes and requires different registration and maintenance procedures.
What should I do if someone is infringing my intellectual property?
Document the infringement thoroughly, including dates, evidence, and potential damages. Consult with an IP attorney before taking action, as improper cease and desist letters or premature litigation can create liability. Your attorney can evaluate the strength of your rights, the likely success of enforcement, and the most effective strategy. Options range from licensing negotiations to cease and desist letters to litigation in federal court.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.