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[patentlydistinct]

I was wondering what criteria inventors or companies use in choosing a patent attorney. Most of my clients come to me by word of mouth, and a few in responses to a web page. However, I have heard many find their attorney by searching the USPTO web site. That may be a good approach in some instances, but many, if not most, times the name appearing as the representative is not the attorney who wrote the application. For example, much of my work is done for other attorneys, especially when working for a large corporation. Other times I see inventors look locally.  That may be good if you feel the need for personally meeting your representative, or representative of your representative, but patent lawyers need only be licensed in any one state and the USPTO.  In fact, most of my clients are out of sate or out of country.  Sometimes I see inventors looking for the lowest cost.  But, I believe that the old adage of getting what you pay for holds especially true here.  So, how have you or how will you find your patent counsel?

[Wiscagent]

many find their attorney by searching the USPTO web site

The patent office site provides a comprehensive list of patent practitioners, but other than location, the site does not offer any selection criteria.

On criterion might relate to the technical nature of your invention.  If it is in an unusual field of art, there may be only a few patent practitioners who are familiar with the technology.  And you're probably better off if the agent or attorney learns the technology on someone else's dime.  In that situation, seeing what firms have handled related technology, by perusing the patent database could be a good idea.  But that is a fairly rare situation.  More commonly an individual or a firm that handles, an art field (e.g. chemical cases) can handle most cases in that field.