Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Practice focus: Patent, IP transactions, tech IP, life sciences
Premier Silicon Valley/SF IP firm. 60+ years of tech IP expertise.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Your brand and your inventions are worth more than you think.
Top 10 Trademark and IP Lawyers in San Francisco
San Francisco/Silicon Valley is the world's busiest IP market. Patent prosecution, IP litigation in N.D. Cal., software/tech IP, biotech patents, and trademark enforcement for global consumer brands all run through SF. The right SF IP firm has the technical depth to match.
These 10 SF firms span the full IP spectrum — patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, life sciences, and IP litigation.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Morrison & Foerster LLP — SF IP
Practice focus: Patent, IP litigation, life sciences
SF-rooted global firm. Premier patent litigation practice in N.D. Cal.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP — SF IP
Practice focus: Patent, IP litigation, transactional IP
David Tsai — first-chair patent litigator. SF-rooted global firm.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Cooley LLP
Practice focus: Tech IP, patents, life sciences
Major SF tech firm with deep patent prosecution and IP litigation bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
King & Kelleher, LLP
Practice focus: IP only — patent, trademark, copyright, IP litigation
40+ years of SF IP-only practice. Premier IP boutique.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Bell & Associates
Practice focus: Patent, trademark, invention
SF IP boutique with strong individual inventor + small-business focus.
- Fee structure
- Flat for filings + hourly
- Free consultation
- Paid
Dergosits & Noah LLP
Practice focus: Patent, trademark, IP litigation
Bay Area IP boutique with strong patent prosecution and litigation.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
- Free consultation
- Paid
Adibi IP Group
Practice focus: Patent law
SF patent boutique focused on innovation protection.
- Fee structure
- Flat for filings + hourly
- Free consultation
- Paid
Bold IP
Practice focus: Patent prosecution, trademark
Specialized patent drafting and prosecution services.
- Fee structure
- Flat for filings
- Free consultation
- Free initial
Latham & Watkins — SF IP
Practice focus: Patent litigation, life sciences, tech IP
Major global firm with strong N.D. Cal. patent litigation practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
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Request Free Consultation →What to expect from an SF IP engagement
Trademark filing: 8-14 months at USPTO. Patent prosecution: 2-4 years. IP litigation in N.D. Cal. typically runs 18-36 months — and N.D. Cal. is one of the busiest patent courts in the world.
What does an IP lawyer in SF cost?
Trademark filings: $1,500-$3,500 plus USPTO fees ($350+/class). Patent prosecution: $10,000-$30,000+. IP litigation hourly + retainer; modest patent cases run $250,000-$1M+ to verdict.
Red flags to watch for when picking a intellectual property lawyer in San Francisco
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of San Francisco intellectual property firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate San Francisco lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most San Francisco firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a intellectual property case in San Francisco
San Francisco is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. the San Francisco Superior Court at Civic Center and the Northern District of California have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right San Francisco firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
Should I file a trademark for my business name?
If you sell anything — yes.
Patents are expensive. Are they worth it?
Sometimes. Strong moat for product companies.
Someone is using my brand. What do I do?
Save evidence. Call a trademark lawyer for a cease-and-desist.
Do I own the IP my employees create in California?
Usually yes — with proper IP assignment. CA Labor Code § 2870 carves out employee inventions on own time without resources.
What's the difference between trademark, copyright, and patent?
Trademark protects brand. Copyright protects creative works. Patent protects inventions.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team