The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Recommended - Individuals: prosecution
Full-service IP firm Lee & Hayes operates from seven offices across the United States. The team manages the portfolios of several technology companies, universities and research institutions, all of which turn to the group for its high-quality prosecution services. Essential in providing this service is Rob Hartman, who was made CEO in 2022. Hartman is an expert portfolio manager and is able to speak the language of the inventors and engineers that he works with. Also highly rated are Rachal Winger and David Divine. “Rachal is a top-notch lawyer and is an essential part of her clients’ in-house teams. She is approachable, inquisitive and dedicated to her clients’ goals.” “David is very responsive, eager to help and his work product is always excellent. He is thorough, a great communicator and a really safe pair of hands.” Next up are Rob Peck, Richard Allen and Bea Koempel-Thomas. Peck devises tailored strategies for developing portfolios that help to achieve his patrons’ business goals; Allen is an expert in mechanical and electro-mechanical technologies; and Koempel-Thomas has a deep knowledge of global patent policy and procedure that is invaluable when it comes to drafting patent applications.
Bea Koempel-Thomas is a Lee & Hayes partner located at the firm’s Spokane, WA office. She counsels US-based and international clients on intellectual property issues, advises on innovation strategy and risk mitigation including inventor and non-disclosure agreements, invention and confidentiality logs, infringement and non-infringement opinions, freedom to operate opinions (FTO), and conducts patentability and patent eligibility reviews, as well as managing international patent portfolios, negotiating agreements, and prosecuting patents, all to enhance the business value of each client’s intellectual property assets.
Bea regularly speaks on intellectual property topics, including US activities shaping the international patent landscape, drafting patents for computer-implemented inventions with a focus on successful prosecution in the United States, China, Japan, Canada and before the European Patent Office, patentable subject matter, patent quality in the United States, international protection of intellectual property, and foreign filing licence and inventor remuneration requirements.
Bea applies her knowledge and expertise of US and global patent policy and procedures to meaningfully advance her clients’ interests in the areas of information security, artificial intelligence (including machine learning, machine vision, and data mining) and related computer technologies, as well as business methods, financial technology and energy management solutions.
Lee & Hayes, PC is a leading national intellectual property law firm at the intersection of business, law, and technology. Their pre-eminent IP practice with expertise that goes beyond the basics of intellectual property. With 140 skilled individuals and more than 80 seasoned attorneys and patent agents they provide patent, trademark, copyright, and litigation services to businesses ranging from innovative start-ups to members of the Fortune 500 list. Lee & Hayes’ corporate and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) practices synergise with their intellectual property core to plan and execute comprehensive business strategies for their innovative technology and life sciences clients.
Lee & Hayes rose to prominence championing the understanding that intellectual property and its complimentary disciplines are not a commodity but an asset class. With this mantra central to all that they do, Lee & Hayes partners with their clients creatively and nimbly, in a value-based way that energises each of their businesses.
Lee & Hayes’ guiding tenets are as follows:
- Intellectual property at the core:
- as intellectual property is often the most valuable asset of clients, Lee & Hayes designed the firm with an array of sophisticated IP services at the core, supported by transactional, litigation and corporate services.
- Analytics and innovation:
- Lee & Hayes continues to innovate IP strategy by utilising their in-house analytics team and using data to inform decisions to help clients align their IP strategies with their business objectives, offering value-added insights on a wide range of IP-based, business-critical issues.
- Core values:
- Service excellence: clients come first. We succeed when our clients succeed. We strive to exceed expectations and provide exceptional service.
- Relationship centered: we invest in and build meaningful relationships founded on mutual trust and respect. We care about each other and our clients. We are more than service providers. We are partners.
- Stewardship: we are committed to maintaining and strengthening the foundation the firm is built upon. We work hard and take a long-term view and understand that each of us are stewards in all regards. The firm exists to serve more than our own needs. We are accountable to service our clients, colleagues, families, and communities.
Lee & Hayes is about more than intellectual property; they are effective and valued partners. This unique model gives Lee & Hayes unparalleled insight when servicing clients:
- Lee & Hayes’ attorneys have recognised by Best Lawyers in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2023 Edition);
- the firm has been ranked as a top-quality United States patent firm overall and for information technology by IAM for eight consecutive years; and
- Lee & Hayes’ attorneys have been selected to the 2022 Washington Rising Stars by Super Lawyers.
IP Litigation
Lee & Hayes’ nationally recognised IP litigation attorneys enforce and defend clients’ patent, trademark, trade dress and trade secret rights in every possible venue, including federal district and appellate courts, state courts, before the US Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and at the International Trade Commission. We represent individuals and companies ranging from start-ups to members of the Fortune 100. With significant expertise challenging and defending the validity of patents through the inter partes review process, we craft and execute dispute resolution strategies focused on minimising disruption and expense to your business, while achieving excellent outcomes.