California

Patent attorneys in California

California hosts 9,553 active patent practitioners registered with the USPTO Office of Enrollment and Discipline. Patent attorneys and patent agents can both prepare and file patent applications, but only patent attorneys can also offer legal advice on prosecution strategy, freedom-to-operate analyses, and infringement opinions in California. Practitioners are concentrated across 20 cities, with the largest clusters in the metros listed below. Notable firms with multiple registered practitioners in the state include Verizon, Vista IP Law Group, LLP, and Paul H. Meier.

Top cities in California

All practitioners in California

Sanjeev B. Mehta

Reg. 63205

Patent attorney

Verizon

Los Angeles, CA · 90266

310-593-6546

Ivy Y Mei

Reg. 46925

Patent agent

Mountain View, CA · 94040

408-476-2560

Peter Chen-Cheng Mei

Reg. 39768

Patent attorney

Vista IP Law Group, LLP

San Jose, CA · 95131

408-321-8663 EXT. 208

Paul H Meier

Reg. 32274

Patent attorney

Paul H. Meier

Los Angeles, CA · 90027

323-443-5271

Olga Mekhovich

Reg. 63386

Patent attorney

Amgen, Inc.

South San Francisco, CA · 94080

650-244-2245

Kathleen R Mekjian

Reg. 61399

Patent attorney

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.

San Diego, CA · 92121

858-458-0900

Kathleen A Melez

Reg. 52025

Patent attorney

Playa Del Rey, CA · 90293

310-823-3454

Anita Melikian

Reg. 66020

Patent agent

Anita Melikian Consulting, LLC

San Rafael, CA · 94901

415-377-3562

Joseph J Mellema

Reg. 69577

Patent attorney

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP

Irvine, CA · 92614

949-623-7232

Anthony T Mellos

Reg. 68779

Patent attorney

Pacific Palisades, CA · 90272

310-459-3780

Kevin L. Mellott

Reg. 78831

Patent agent

San Jose, CA · 95123

707-849-4529

Marla C. Melnick

Reg. 59754

Patent agent

San Diego, CA · 92121

858-483-8986

Ryan Edward Melnick

Reg. 58621

Patent attorney

Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP

San Diego, CA · 92130

858-707-4000

Joseph Melnik

Reg. 48741

Patent attorney

Menlo Park, CA · 94025

Alison R. Meloni

Reg. 69973

Patent agent

San Diego, CA · 92101

919-602-0165

Mark Jonathan Meltzer

Reg. 28739

Patent attorney

Mark J. Meltzer Attorney At Law

Palo Alto, CA · 94301

408-306-7900

Taylor R. Melzo

Reg. 84573

Patent agent

Los Angeles, CA · 90015

253-686-2750

Larry Mendenhall

Reg. 38555

Patent attorney

Mendenhall Law Office PC

Oakland, CA · 94610

510-459-5128

Annemarie H Mendonsa

Reg. 77024

Patent agent

Santa Clara, CA · 95050

707-761-6085

Michael D. Mendoza

Reg. 58834

Patent agent

Hacienda Heights, CA · 91745

626-961-1769

John E Menear

Reg. 55453

Patent agent

Santa Cruz, CA · 95062

408-422-3096

Scott J Menghini

Reg. 42880

Patent attorney

Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery, LLP

San Diego, CA · 92121

858-552-1311

Lawrence Mennemeier

Reg. 51003

Patent agent

Mnemoglyphics, LLC

Saratoga, CA · 95070-1630

408-867-1855

Kristin L Menon

Reg. 56869

Patent attorney

Johnson & Johnson

Menlo Park, CA · 94025

650-614-4137

Venugopal K Menon

Reg. 64225

Patent attorney

Redwood City, CA · 94063

650-520-1640

Sabina B. Menzhausen

Reg. 82620

Patent agent

San Diego, CA · 92131

858-444-5872

Michael A. Merabi

Reg. 79998

Patent attorney

Los Angeles, CA · 90046

310-980-4175

Salima Merani

Reg. 67720

Patent attorney

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

Irvine, CA · 92614

949-760-0404

Marvin L. Mercado

Reg. 83065

Patent attorney

Santa Clara, CA · 95053

408-554-5048

John C Merchant

Reg. 45996

Patent attorney

Law Office of John Merchant

San Leandro, CA · 94577

415-992-2260

Common questions

Do I need a patent attorney based in California?

No. Every USPTO-registered patent practitioner is licensed to file applications on behalf of inventors in any state, regardless of where the practitioner's office is. Choosing a California-based practitioner can simplify in-person inventor signings, local meetings, and same-time-zone calls, but it is not a legal requirement.

How many patent attorneys are licensed in California?

9,553 active USPTO-registered patent practitioners list a California office address on the OEDCI roster. This includes both patent attorneys (who can also offer legal advice) and patent agents (who can prepare and file patents but not offer broader legal advice).

What is the difference between a patent attorney and a patent agent?

Both pass the USPTO Patent Bar and can prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications. Only patent attorneys also hold a state bar license, meaning they can additionally offer legal advice on infringement, licensing, and litigation strategy. Patent agents tend to charge less per hour and are common at large in-house IP departments.