California

Patent attorneys in California

California hosts 9,567 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 Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear LLP, Mark J. Meltzer Attorney At Law, and Mendenhall Law Office PC.

Top cities in California

All practitioners in California

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

Benjamin B. Meredith

Reg. 78143

Patent attorney

Oakland, CA · 94618

561-504-2426

Andrew N Merickel

Reg. 53317

Patent attorney

Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP

Irvine, CA · 92614

415-954-4114

Lisa A Merkadeau

Reg. 33854

Patent attorney

Pleasanton, CA · 94566

925-398-8664

Pamela S Merkadeau

Reg. 53318

Patent attorney

Bingham McCutchen

East Palo Alto, CA · 94304

650-849-4420

Stuart Lowell Merkadeau

Reg. 33262

Patent attorney

South Lake Tahoe, CA · 96150

925-321-3607

Leo Merken

Reg. 41192

Patent attorney

Atmel Corporation

San Jose, CA · 95131

917-572-6597

Philip I Merksamer

Reg. 76858

Patent attorney

Ginkgo Bioworks

Emeryville, CA · 94608

650-248-2723

Rachel O Merrill

Reg. 53319

Patent attorney

San Diego, CA · 92130

619-318-2616

Dion D Messer

Reg. 44938

Patent attorney

Netskope

Santa Clara, CA · 95054

515-689-6364

Razmig H Messerian

Reg. 56983

Patent attorney

Razmig Messerian, Esq.

Upland, CA · 91786

714-453-9824

Zachary Brewster Messick

Reg. 77839

Patent attorney

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Costa Mesa, CA · 92626

714-830-0600

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?

9,567 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.