Intellectual property is federal law, so a qualified Texas attorney can register trademarks, file patents, and protect copyrights nationwide. What you are really buying in Irving is the experience to clear, file, and enforce your rights without expensive missteps. The lawyer you choose sets the cost and the strength of your protection.
Updated April 13, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Choosing an IP lawyer depends on what you are protecting — a brand name, an invention, creative work, or confidential information — and whether you need filing or a fight. Below are firms serving Irving that appear consistently across Justia, Avvo, Super Lawyers, Expertise.com, and Martindale-Hubbell, with verifiable intellectual-property focus. Most handle the core needs: trademark clearance and registration, patent prosecution, and IP enforcement.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers, Martindale-Hubbell), bar recognition and board certifications, and verifiable practice focus across independent directories such as Justia, Avvo, and Expertise.com. Firms that appeared consistently made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP
Dallas (serves Irving)Large
Practice focus: Patent portfolios, IP litigation, trademark, technology transactions
A nationally recognized IP firm with a Dallas office serving Irving, home to more than 35 USPTO-registered patent attorneys. Recognized by Best Lawyers/Best Law Firms, IAM Patent 1000, and IP Stars, with founder William Munck rated by Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: Patent & trademark prosecution and litigation, trade secrets
An IP and business-litigation boutique founded in 2009. Founder Darin Klemchuk is a Super Lawyers-rated IP litigator, and the firm fields dedicated patent, trademark, and IP-litigation teams serving the Irving and DFW area.
Practice focus: IP litigation, commercial litigation
A litigation boutique whose co-founder E. Leon Carter holds a Chambers USA Band 1 ranking for commercial litigation in DFW and Super Lawyers recognition. The firm is recognized in Chambers and Best Lawyers and handles patent and trademark disputes.
Practice focus: Patent prosecution, trademark, copyright, trade secrets
An established IP boutique whose partners are USPTO-registered patent attorneys. Grady K. Bergen has practiced patents, trademarks, and copyrights for roughly three decades, and partner Scott Griggs brings decades of additional IP experience.
Fee structure
Flat fees / hourly
Free consultation
Consultation
Office
5001 Spring Valley Rd, Ste 1175E, Dallas, TX 75244
Practice focus: Trademark registration & enforcement, patent applications, licensing
A business and IP firm founded in 2013 with a dedicated Irving service practice. Founder Sul Lee is Super Lawyers-rated, and the team handles trademark prosecution, enforcement, and patent filings for small and mid-sized businesses.
Practice focus: Patent litigation and prosecution, IP portfolio strategy
A national IP firm with a Dallas office serving Irving. Jerry R. Selinger is a Super Lawyers-rated patent litigator with extensive IP trial and prosecution experience across complex technologies.
Practice focus: Intellectual property prosecution and litigation
An IP boutique serving the DFW area including Irving. Principal Michael Fogarty is a Super Lawyers-rated intellectual property attorney, and the firm carries additional Super Lawyers Rising Stars recognition.
Practice focus: Trademark prosecution, enforcement, licensing; copyright
A trademark-focused boutique led by Molly Buck Richard, a long-recognized Super Lawyers-rated trademark attorney. The firm concentrates on trademark prosecution, enforcement, and licensing for the Irving and DFW market.
Practice focus: Trademark and intellectual property law
An intellectual property boutique serving DFW including Irving. Partner Jordan Whiddon is a Super Lawyers-rated intellectual property attorney focused on trademark and IP matters.
Practice focus: Patents, intellectual property, IP litigation
An Irving-based IP practice led by R. Scott Rhoades, a USPTO-registered patent attorney with an electrical-engineering background and roughly three decades of experience in intellectual property and IP litigation.
Match the firm to the job. A trademark clearance and filing is often a flat-fee matter that a focused trademark attorney handles efficiently. A patent requires a USPTO-registered patent attorney, ideally one with a technical background in your field. An infringement dispute or IP lawsuit needs a litigator who tries cases in federal court.
Ask whether the attorney is registered to practice before the USPTO for patent work, how they handle clearance searches, and who manages your portfolio over time. The strongest Irving-area IP practices combine prosecution and enforcement under one roof.
What to look for in a intellectual property lawyer
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your facts, your budget, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We handle everything” is a weakness, not a strength. You want a lawyer who works intellectual property matters in Irving week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated cases. Recent, repeated experience with matters like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your situation. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the outcome sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real matters carry real risk, and an honest lawyer names it.
Communication you can live with. Most complaints about lawyers are not about losing — they are about silence. Ask who returns your calls, how fast, and whether you will reach the actual attorney or only a screener. Set that expectation before you sign, because it rarely improves later.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing exactly what you will pay, what it covers, and what could cost extra. A clear written fee agreement is a sign of a well-run practice; a vague “don't worry about it” is a sign to keep looking.
Local knowledge. A lawyer who works in Irving regularly knows the local courts, agencies, and counterparts, and which resolutions are realistic. That practical knowledge is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask.
What an IP matter looks like for Irving businesses
Most IP work starts with protection: a trademark clearance search and federal application, a provisional or full patent application, or a copyright registration. Trademark registration commonly takes several months to over a year depending on USPTO backlog and whether the examiner raises objections; patents typically take longer.
Enforcement is the other half. If someone copies your brand or invention, an IP attorney can send a cease-and-desist letter, evaluate one you have received, negotiate a license, or litigate. Because patents and trademarks are federal, these disputes generally proceed in federal court.
What does an IP lawyer in Irving cost?
Attorney fees for a straightforward federal trademark application are commonly a few hundred dollars to about $1,500 per class, plus USPTO filing fees; clearance searches and responses to office actions cost extra. Patent work is more involved, and a utility patent application often runs several thousand dollars and up depending on complexity.
IP litigation is billed hourly and can become expensive quickly. Many firms offer flat fees for filings and hourly or blended arrangements for disputes. Ask for the fee structure in writing and confirm what is included before you engage.
Red flags to watch for
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees how your intellectual property matter will end before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
No verifiable track record. “We have handled thousands of matters” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, board certification where it exists, and a clean record with the state bar.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most firms on this list offer a consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and an email, not just a firm brand.
How many matters 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 anything.
What costs am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket expenses surprise people. Ask up front.
What is the realistic range of outcomes here? A good lawyer gives you a range. A weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? Ask for an honest estimate with the assumptions stated.
Who else might work on this — associates, paralegals, outside experts? Know who is actually on your team.
How and how often will I hear from you? Set the communication expectation now, not later.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who will not discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Make sure you understand how your file and any fee are handled.
What's specific about protecting IP nationwide
Federal rights, local counsel. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are governed by federal law, so a qualified attorney can protect you nationally and coordinate international filings through treaty systems.
Registration matters. Copyright exists on creation and limited trademark rights arise from use, but federal registration gives far stronger, nationwide protection and the ability to enforce in federal court.
Clearance first. A search before you file or launch a brand reduces the risk of an expensive rebrand or an infringement claim later.
Your first steps this week
If you are dealing with a intellectual property matter in Irving right now, a few moves protect you while you take the time to choose the right lawyer.
Write down the timeline. Put the dates, names, and what was said on paper while it is fresh. Memories fade, and a clear timeline makes your first consultation far more productive.
Save everything. Keep the documents, emails, text messages, and records connected to your situation in one place. The strength of a matter often comes down to what you can show, not just what you can say.
Do not sign or agree to anything under pressure. Whether it is the other side or a fast-talking intake person, you are allowed to say you want to speak with your own lawyer first. A reputable Irving firm respects that; anyone who does not is telling you something.
Book two consultations. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Talk to at least two before you commit, and choose the lawyer who explains your options clearly and answers your questions without rushing you.
Talk to a Irving intellectual property lawyer — free, no obligation
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Irving firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a trademark, copyright, and patent?
A trademark protects brand names and logos, a copyright protects creative works, and a patent protects inventions. Many businesses need more than one, and an IP attorney sorts out which applies to you.
Do I need a registered patent attorney?
To prosecute a patent before the USPTO, yes — only attorneys registered with the patent bar can do that. Trademark and copyright work does not require patent-bar registration.
What does trademark registration cost in Irving?
Attorney fees for a straightforward federal trademark application are commonly a few hundred dollars to about $1,500 per class, plus USPTO filing fees. Clearance searches and office-action responses cost extra.
Is my IP protected automatically?
Copyright exists on creation, and limited trademark rights arise from use, but federal registration gives far stronger, nationwide protection and the ability to enforce in federal court.
How long does a trademark take?
Federal registration typically takes several months to over a year, depending on USPTO backlog and whether the office raises objections.
Can a Irving-area attorney handle national or international filings?
Yes. Trademarks and patents are federal, so a qualified attorney can file nationally and coordinate international protection through treaty systems.
What is a cease-and-desist letter?
A formal demand to stop infringing use. An IP attorney can send one, evaluate one you have received, and advise whether litigation is likely.
Should I do a trademark search first?
Yes. A clearance search before you file or launch a brand reduces the risk of an expensive rebrand or an infringement claim later.
Who owns IP created by employees or contractors?
It depends on the agreement and the work. Without written assignment language, ownership can be disputed, especially with contractors, so get it in writing.
Do IP attorneys offer free consultations?
Many offer an initial consultation. Use it to confirm the attorney handles your type of IP and to understand the fee structure.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Compare credentials, then call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many matters like yours they have handled in Irving in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team
Helpful next steps
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