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 Rhodes LLP, Desmarais LLP, and Cooley LLP.

Top cities in California

All practitioners in California

Glenn W Rhodes· Jr

Reg. 31790

Patent attorney

Rhodes LLP

Los Angeles, CA · 90071

213-293-3292

Michael R. Rhodes

Reg. 74132

Patent attorney

Desmarais LLP

San Francisco, CA · 94111

415-573-1900

Michelle S Rhyu

Reg. 41268

Patent attorney

Cooley LLP

Palo Alto, CA · 94304

650-843-5000

Annie Rian

Reg. 64540

Patent attorney

Charnley Rian LLP

Los Angeles, CA · 90025

310-321-4300

Hector J Ribera

Reg. 54397

Patent attorney

Marton Ribera Schumann & Chang LLP

San Francisco, CA · 94104

415-360-2511

Christopher P Ricci

Reg. 37705

Patent attorney

NextEV

San Jose, CA · 95134

408-518-7002

Janice Victoria Rice

Reg. 50606

Patent attorney

Squire Patton Boggs US LLP

San Francisco, CA · 94111

415-954-0200

Katharine R Rice

Reg. 63954

Patent attorney

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Foster City, CA · 94404

650-577-7829

Rachel A Rice

Reg. 77821

Patent attorney

Morrison and Foerster

San Diego, CA · 92130

858-314-7634

Amaya Rich

Reg. 903216

Limited recognition

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

San Diego, CA · 92101

914-319-1101

Roger C Rich

Reg. 54398

Patent attorney

Brii Biosciences

Sunnyvale, CA · 94087

650-215-0996

Daniel W. Richards

Reg. 69652

Patent attorney

Sheppard Mullin

San Francisco, CA · 94111

415-434-9100

Christopher A Richardson

Reg. 68741

Patent attorney

Altadena, CA · 91001

626-222-6176

Gregory Scott Richardson

Reg. 47900

Patent agent

Riverside, CA · 92503

951-288-3546

Jessica L. Richardson

Reg. 66497

Patent attorney

c/o Federation Bio, Inc.

South San Francisco, CA · 94080

650-255-5134

Kent R Richardson

Reg. 39443

Patent attorney

Mt. View, CA · 94041

650-967-6555

Thomas C Richardson

Reg. 58521

Patent attorney

Edwards Lifesciences

Irvine, CA · 92614

949-250-1371

Timothy Hubert Paul Richardson

Reg. 28805

Patent agent

Menlo Park, CA · 94025

650-854-6304

Samuel P. Richey

Reg. 64085

Patent attorney

Adeia Inc.

San Jose, CA · 95134

408-473-2500

Merle W Richman· III

Reg. 38282

Patent attorney

La Jolla, CA · 92038

858-551-2030

John G Rickenbrode

Reg. 57067

Patent attorney

QUALCOMM Incorporated

San Diego, CA · 92121

858-651-8844

George M Riddle

Reg. 55572

Patent attorney

Moraga, CA · 94556

925-465-0361

Charles T. Ridgely

Reg. 70229

Patent agent

Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Irvine, CA · 92612

714-494-3346

James R Riegel

Reg. 36651

Patent agent

Santa Clara, CA · 95051

408-244-2478

Hans P. Riegels

Reg. 59761

Patent attorney

Lam Research Corporation

Fremont, CA · 94538

510-572-5156

Dale L Rieger

Reg. 43045

Patent attorney

Rimon, P.C.

San Diego, CA · 92131

858-766-6242

Jennifer J Riel

Reg. 53517

Patent attorney

Riel Law

San Diego, CA · 92108

619-929-0210

Grant P. Rigdon

Reg. 79110

Patent attorney

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Los Angeles, CA · 90071

916-869-1941

Rod Anthony Rigole

Reg. 40785

Patent attorney

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Irvine, CA · 92618

949-955-1380

Rose Hickman Rigole

Reg. 54167

Patent attorney

Karish & Bjorgum, PC

Los Angeles, CA · 90014

213-785-8070

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.