patent attorney

I'm a patent attorney with McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP (MBHB), a Chicago-based intellectual property law firm. For over a decade, I've helped inventors and businesses protect innovations across a wide range of technologies, with particular experience in mechanical inventions, artificial intelligence, software, and robotics.

My approach to patent law begins with understanding the invention: not just how it works, but what makes it different, why it matters, and where its commercial value lies. From there, I work to develop a patent strategy that aligns with the inventor's objectives, budget, and realistic prospects for meaningful protection.

One of the most important distinctions I make with clients is between obtaining a patent and obtaining a valuable patent. Not all patents are created equal. Some provide broad protection that can create a meaningful competitive advantage. Others cover such narrow implementations that competitors can readily design around them. Both may look equally impressive framed on a wall, but their commercial value can be worlds apart.

I believe inventors deserve a candid assessment of that distinction before committing substantial resources to the patent process. That means discussing not only whether an invention might be patentable, but also what scope of protection might realistically be available, what obstacles we might encounter, and whether the potential benefits justify the investment. Sometimes the best advice I can give an inventor is not to pursue a patent at all.

I also believe that good patent representation should be collaborative, practical, and understandable. Patent law is complicated, but communicating with your patent attorney shouldn't be. I strive to explain the process in plain English, identify the trade-offs that matter, and help clients make informed decisions without unnecessary legalese.

Whether you're pursuing your first patent or building an existing portfolio, my objective is straightforward: to help you protect what makes your invention valuable, rather than simply adding another patent number to the world.