How to Choose a Good Intellectual Property Lawyer

An intellectual property lawyer works on a wide variety of cases such as contracts, patents, trademarks, and copyrights involved in the entertainment business. Since the field is so large and so broad, attorneys tend to sub-specialize in a particular field in order to better serve their clientele with their expertise. This enables a customer to get an attorney that has vast experience in their particular type of case and helps them get the judgment they desire. If you are having a particular problem with a subset of this type of law, then you may need a specialized intellectual property lawyer.

Many businesses already have existing relationships with an internal or external corporate attorney that handles most of the business transactions and paperwork. Even if this attorney is not involved directly in intellectual property, it may be in your best interest to consult with them first. They will be able to determine the extent of your legal needs and perhaps may be able to direct you to an attorney that is well suited to the job. Most lawyers that do not sub-specialize in a particular area are happy to refer to a colleague if the situation warrants special attention. An attorney that is currently involved with your corporation will have your organization’s best interests at heart and will be better able to direct you with good advice.

If you do not have legal council and do not know where to start, the internet is often a good resource for directories of attorneys that deal in a certain type of law in your area. Be sure to meet with several different firms or individuals before settling on one that you think may do the job well.

At this point, it would also serve you well to consider any special needs that you might have for an attorney service. For example, what type of entertainment are you in? Do you require an attorney or legal services that speak a language other than English? Does your case limit itself to within the USA or do you require services overseas?

Choosing an intellectual property lawyer to represent your company and your case can be a long and drawn-out process. However, it is important to take the time and do your research in order to retain the counsel of someone you trust that can do the job well and do the job right. Before hiring any intellectual property lawyer you want to be sure that you ask them if they can provide references, if they have any conflicts of interest, if they have a copy of their firm brochure, and if they have a copy of their lawyer’s retainer agreement. All of these items are important for evaluating a prospective attorney and his or her firm.