patent lawyer

Brett J. Trout is an Iowa intellectual property attorney and registered patent lawyer who helps startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies protect, enforce, and monetize their intellectual property. Based in Des Moines, Brett has more than 30 years of experience advising clients on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, e-commerce, internet law, and technology strategy. He works closely with clients to develop practical, business-focused legal strategies that not only protect innovation, but also turn intellectual property into a competitive advantage.

Brett has drafted hundreds of patents across a wide range of technologies, giving him the technical depth and legal insight to handle complex intellectual property matters. His approach goes beyond simply securing IP rights. He helps clients build and leverage patent, trademark, and other intellectual property portfolios that support growth, attract investment, strengthen market position, and create long-term value. He is particularly focused on providing clear, efficient, and cost-effective advice that aligns legal strategy with each client’s business goals.

Brett also brings substantial litigation experience in intellectual property and technology disputes, including patent infringement, trademark and copyright matters, and trade secret protection. That litigation background helps him anticipate risk early, negotiate from a position of strength, and resolve disputes efficiently when conflict arises. Whether the issue calls for strategic counseling, licensing, negotiation, or litigation, his focus is on achieving results while minimizing disruption to the client’s business.

His practice includes a particular emphasis on technology-driven matters, including software, internet law, artificial intelligence, and licensing. In these fast-moving areas, Brett combines legal judgment with technical understanding to help clients navigate evolving risks and opportunities. He is known for simplifying complex issues, developing nimble legal strategies, and helping clients use intellectual property as a revenue-generating asset rather than just a defensive tool.

A lifelong Des Moines resident, Brett earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Grinnell College and his J.D., with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal and Eighth Circuits, and the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

Brett is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for more than a decade. He is also a Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and has held leadership roles in the Blackstone Inn of Court, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association.