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 Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, Dechert LLP, and Joseph G. Swan, A Professional Corporation.

Top cities in California

All practitioners in California

Jennifer S Swan

Reg. 47118

Patent attorney

Dechert LLP

Palo Alto, CA · 94306

650-813-4800

Joseph G Swan

Reg. 41338

Patent attorney

Joseph G. Swan, A Professional Corporation

Manhattan Beach, CA · 90266

310-372-8624

Ryan M Swank

Reg. 62600

Patent attorney

Lewis Roca Rothhgerber Christie, LLP

Glendale, CA · 91209

626-795-9900

David G Swanson

Reg. 50802

Patent attorney

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA · 90275

310-377-5025

Elizabeth Swanson

Reg. 55657

Patent attorney

Law Office of Elizabeth Swanson

Los Angeles, CA · 90067

310-788-8688

Sheila N Swaroop

Reg. 53658

Patent attorney

Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear LLP

Irvine, CA · 92614

949-760-0404

Shestin R. Swartley

Reg. 67825

Patent attorney

San Francisco, CA · 94116

503-910-0244

Jason R Swartz

Reg. 64420

Patent attorney

Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear

Irvine, CA · 92614

949-760-0404

Sally A Swedberg

Reg. 53659

Patent agent

Nevada City, CA · 95959

650-743-3776

Michael C. Sweeney

Reg. 76623

Patent attorney

Wilmer Culter Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP

Los Angeles, CA · 90071

213-443-5300

Aaron R Swehla

Reg. 64200

Patent attorney

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

San Francisco, CA · 94111-3834

303-571-4000

Russell N Swerdon

Reg. 36943

Patent attorney

Creative Labs, Inc.

Milpitas, CA · 95035

408-546-6417

Steven A Swernofsky

Reg. 33040

Patent attorney

Los Altos Law

Los Altos, CA · 94023

650-799-2438

Michael A. Swett

Reg. 68132

Patent attorney

Dentons US LLP

San Francisco, CA · 94105

Maria S Swiatek

Reg. 37244

Patent attorney

Nixon Peabody LLP

Palo Alto, CA · 94306

650-320-7700

Steven M Swick

Reg. 81887

Patent agent

Cooley LLP

Palo Alto, CA · 94301

650-843-5321

Caroline J Swindell

Reg. 56784

Patent attorney

InvokeIP

Danville, CA · 94526

503-367-5758

Gerald F Swiss

Reg. 30113

Patent attorney

San Diego, CA · 92067

858-900-1521

Daniel R. Switts

Reg. 73678

Patent attorney

Irell & Manella

Los Angeles, CA · 90067

310-203-7944

Elise E. Switzer

Reg. 72150

Patent agent

Rivian Automotive

Palo Alto, CA · 94304

415-613-0205

Roman A Swoopes

Reg. 65461

Patent attorney

San Jose, CA · 95154

408-535-5084

Richard S Swope

Reg. 53663

Patent attorney

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.

San Jose, CA · 95138

408-360-1517

Nancy I Sya

Reg. 52266

Patent attorney

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

San Jose, CA · 95134

408-428-5251

Ryan C Sydenham

Reg. 65409

Patent attorney

Apple Inc.

Cupertino, CA · 95014

408-783-4920

Niky Economy Syrengelas

Reg. 46680

Patent attorney

Zeppos Law Group, LLP

Irvine, CA · 92618

949-727-1700

Eric T. Syu

Reg. 62635

Patent attorney

NetApp, Inc.

Brea, CA · 92821-7425

630-445-3478

Peter J Szabo

Reg. 30693

Patent attorney

Law Office Of Peter J Szabo

Benicia, CA · 94510

707-746-0396

Dustin R Szakalski

Reg. 68986

Patent attorney

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

Glendale, CA · 91203-1445

626-795-9900

James Yc Sze

Reg. 43943

Patent attorney

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

San Diego, CA · 92130

858-350-6140

Judith A Szepesi

Reg. 39393

Patent attorney

Nicholson De Vos Webster & Elliott LLP

San Jose, CA · 95113

408-675-0441

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.