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patent attorney
Embry, Merritt, Womack, and Nance, PLLC & 52Launch
File your patent with Embry, Merritt, Womack, and Nance - and bring it to life with 52Launch.
Jay Phillips and the EMWN team protect great ideas. 52Launch brings them to market.
Together, we guide entrepreneurs from patent to profit.
Meet Your Expert Team
Jay Lewis Phillips
Registered Patent Attorney • EMWN Law • Lexington, KYJay L. Phillips is a registered patent attorney whose practice centers on intellectual property, corporate and business law, and general transactional matters. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Jay works with startups, established companies, and individual innovators to protect, commercialize, and scale their ideas. His work includes patent prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), trademark registration, licensing and technology transfer, and strategic counseling on technology commercialization and IP portfolio management.
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 Embry, Merritt, Womack, and Nance, PLLC
Jay Phillips is a registered patent attorney at Embry Merritt Womack Nance, PLLC (EMWN Law), a full-service law firm operating in Lexington, Kentucky, with offices in Leitchfield, Kentucky and New York, New York. Jay brings a rare combination of technical depth and broad legal experience to inventors, product designers, and innovators looking to protect, monetize, and defend their intellectual property.
As a member of the USPTO patent bar, Jay handles the full spectrum of IP work — from patent prosecution and portfolio strategy to licensing negotiations, transactional IP, and patent litigation support. Whether you are a solo product designer filing your first utility patent application, a startup structuring an IP licensing agreement, or an established design firm navigating enforcement and infringement disputes, Jay provides practical, business-minded counsel tailored to where you are in your product lifecycle.
What sets Jay apart is the ability to serve as a single point of legal contact across the issues product-driven businesses actually face. Through EMWN Law's collaborative, full-service platform, clients also have ready access to business formation, contract drafting, healthcare regulatory matters, and commercial litigation — all under one roof. That cross-disciplinary reach saves clients time, reduces coordination friction, and ensures legal strategy stays aligned with business goals.
EMWN Law clients benefit from the personalized attention of a boutique firm backed by the breadth of a comprehensive practice. Jay works closely with each client to develop a proactive IP strategy — not just reactive legal defense — so that your designs, inventions, and innovations are protected assets from day one.
Connect with Embry, Merritt, Womack, and Nance, PLLC →5 Things to Know Before Working with a Patent Attorney and Bringing Your Product to Life
1. File Early - The First-to-File System is Critical
The US operates on a first-to-file system, meaning whoever files first gets priority rights. In competitive fields where multiple innovators might be solving the same problem, filing as early as possible becomes crucial for securing your invention rights.
2. Avoid Public Disclosure Traps
You have only 1 year from any public disclosure to file your patent application, or you lose your rights forever. Be extremely careful about presentations, publications, or detailed discussions without NDAs - even university presentations can invalidate your patent rights.
3. Provisional Applications Must Be Detailed
Many inventors underestimate provisional applications, but inadequate descriptions can lead to loss of priority rights. Be as detailed as possible - if you don't adequately describe your invention, you're not entitled to the filing date as your invention date.
4. Understand the 18 to 24 Month Timeline
Expect your first patent office response 18 to 24 months after filing. Rejections are normal: over 90% of applications receive initial rejections. Plan for multiple rounds of responses and amendments during prosecution.
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?
Comprehensive patent protection guarantees ownership of your idea and seals your competitive advantage in the market
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.