×
patent + trademark attorney
Caldwell Law & 52Launch
File your patent and trademark with Caldwell - and bring them to life with 52Launch.
McKendra Darbey and the Caldwell team protect great brands and ideas. 52Launch brings them to market.
Together, we help inventors protect their innovations and move products towards market.
Meet Your Expert Team
McKendra Darbey
Registered Patent Attorney • Associate, Caldwell Law • Boston, MAMcKendra is an Associate at Caldwell who works with startups and growth-stage companies on patent strategy, emerging technologies, and IP strategy. With a background in neuroscience and experience across AI, life sciences, medical technology, fintech, and computational systems, she helps founders translate complex innovation into practical IP strategies aligned with business goals.
Her experience also includes supporting IP litigation, M&A diligence, and licensing, giving her a broader perspective on how intellectual property can support growth, investment, competitive advantage, and long-term enterprise value.
Peter Drakulich
Founder • 52 LaunchProduct development expert leading a team that has taken dozens of products from idea to viral sensation, retail shelves, and six-figure launch days. Specializes in end-to-end product development from design and prototyping to manufacturing, branding, and go-to-market strategy.
More about Caldwell Law
At Caldwell, we combine big-law expertise with agile, AI-native teams to deliver high-quality legal services defined by transparency, efficiency, and precision. Our operating model is purpose-built for complex, high-stakes matters, allowing us to deliver sophisticated outcomes with speed, discipline, and clarity.
This approach has earned recognition from Chambers and Partners, which ranked Caldwell for Intellectual Property in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide based on independent research and client feedback.
We have extensive experience advising global institutions on corporate transactions, governance, corporate and intellectual property litigation, and IP monetization. We have also partnered with one of the world’s largest insurance corporations to structure capital-raising transactions secured by intellectual property, enabling clients to access specialty markets and unlock liquidity.
Caldwell has represented clients in federal and state courts across the United States, including matters involving some of the world’s largest companies. Notably, we secured a $685 million international arbitration award on behalf of a client in a highly complex IP-related dispute, underscoring our litigation depth and cross-border capability.
We have advised on more than $45 billion in IP-driven transactions and maintain a 91.9% success rate in patent validity challenges, along with an 88% settlement rate in district court litigation. Our IP monetization track record includes securing an $850 million-valued investment for Quick Quack, building a $300 million HR-tech patent portfolio for Job.com that enabled a capital raise, and developing additive manufacturing and aerospace portfolios that led to combined exits and funding exceeding $350 million.
Our ability to deliver strategic insight paired with practical execution makes Caldwell a trusted partner to leading global companies.
Connect with Caldwell Law →Intellectual Property Strategies To Grow Your Business
Notice: Caldwell Law and 52Launch, LLC are separate and independent businesses. 52Launch is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Contacting 52Launch or visiting this page does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship with Caldwell. Any legal representation is separately agreed upon directly with Caldwell. No patent grant, claim scope, or commercial result is guaranteed. Prior results and testimonials do not guarantee a similar outcome.
5 Things to Know Before Working with a Patent Attorney and Bringing Your Product to Life
1. File Early: The First-Inventor-to-File System Matters
The United States generally follows a first-inventor-to-file system, so filing early can be important. Inventorship, effective filing dates, prior disclosures, derivation, and other statutory requirements can also affect priority and patent rights.
2. File Before Public Disclosure Whenever Possible
Public disclosure can jeopardize patent rights. U.S. law provides limited one-year exceptions for certain inventor-originated disclosures, but those exceptions do not cover every situation, and prefiling disclosure may prevent patent protection in other countries. Inventors should obtain advice before selling, publishing, crowdfunding, presenting, or publicly demonstrating an invention.
3. Provisional Applications Must Be Detailed
A provisional application should describe the invention thoroughly enough to support the subject matter that may later be claimed. It is not examined and generally expires after 12 months, so an appropriate follow-on application must be filed on time to preserve any potential benefit from the provisional filing.
4. Understand the Timeline
Patent examination is often an iterative process. Timing varies by technology, application type, USPTO workload, and available examination programs. Office actions are common and may require amendments, legal argument, examiner interviews, or other strategic decisions.
5. Align Patent Strategy with Business Strategy
File patents on innovations that create competitive moats, not just any invention. Focus on high-leverage opportunities that add real value to your company: each patent should be a strategic asset that supports your core value proposition and fundraising goals.
Why Work with a Patent Attorney and 52 Launch?
A well-planned patent strategy can help protect qualifying inventions, strengthen a business’s market position, and support licensing, investment, or commercialization goals. Patentability, claim scope, and outcomes depend on the particular facts and the USPTO examination process.
Leverage the 52Launch team's expertise to transform your protected ideas into products that sell while you sleep
Your idea needs to be both protected and commercialized. By working with a trusted patent attorney and 52Launch you'll unlock a team that can do both.
From early stage idea to product on shelves, we'll be there every step of the way to build a business around your product.
Products Patented and Developed
Eggmazing Egg Decorator
Transformed a rough 3D model into a patented spinning Easter egg decorator. Overcame complex geometry and electronics challenges to achieve mass production. Result: Over 55 million units sold, featured on CBS, Today Show, USA Today, and in Kardashian Easter celebrations.
KlockItGolf
Evolved a homemade prototype (dog leash stake + rope + golf ball) into a professional golf training device. Developed proprietary core technology ensuring the ball stays permanently attached during intense club impacts while maintaining authentic golf ball appearance.
lava lunch
Created for a mother whose children had severe food allergies, this insulated lunch bag with microwavable heat packs keeps food warm for 5 hours. Overcame complex manufacturing challenges by coordinating multiple suppliers for bags, heat packs, and assembly.