Seven IP firms that protect Long Beach brands and inventions - trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets - plus what registration costs, why the clearance search matters, and how to choose.
Updated December 14, 202511 min readEditorially independent
Your brand name, your logo, your product design, your code, your secret formula - these are often the most valuable things a Long Beach business owns, and the easiest to lose by moving too slowly. Trademark rights in the United States reward whoever uses and registers a mark first, so the company that files with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office locks in nationwide protection while the one that waits risks discovering someone else owns the name it has been building. An IP lawyer's first job is usually unglamorous and essential: a clearance search to make sure your name is actually free before you spend on packaging, signage, and marketing.
Intellectual property splits into a few lanes, and the right lawyer depends on which one you are in. Trademarks protect brand names and logos. Copyrights protect creative and written work, including software. Patents protect inventions and require a USPTO-registered patent attorney - not every IP lawyer qualifies. Trade secrets protect confidential business information through contracts and security rather than registration. Much serious IP work for Long Beach companies is handled by specialized firms across the greater Los Angeles area that serve Long Beach clients directly, which is reflected in the list below.
We built this list from peer-reviewed directories and IP sources - Super Lawyers, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and FindLaw - and confirmed each firm has a real intellectual property practice serving Long Beach. Identify whether you need a trademark, a copyright, a patent, or trade-secret protection, then talk to two or three firms that handle that lane and compare their clearance approach and flat-fee pricing.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area ip / trademarks practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Milord & Associates, PC
IP litigation & prosecutionTrademark watch servicePatent expert witness
Practice focus: Trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition
Milord A. Keshishian focuses on intellectual property across patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and franchise law, offers a trademark watch service, and serves as an expert witness in patent litigation.
Why they made the list: A strong full-spectrum IP choice when you need both registration and the ability to enforce a mark or patent in court.
Practice focus: Trademark registration, copyright, and IP enforcement
Mandour & Associates handles trademark registration, copyright, and IP enforcement for Long Beach clients, from clearance searches through USPTO filing and infringement matters.
Why they made the list: A solid option when you want trademark filing from a firm that also litigates infringement if your mark is challenged or copied.
Practice focus: Patent, trademark, copyright, and unfair competition
Rod Berman chairs JMBM's Intellectual Property Law Group, which handles patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright, unfair competition, and internet matters for clients including those in the Long Beach area.
Why they made the list: The pick for a company with a substantial IP portfolio or a high-stakes dispute that needs a deep, full-service IP group.
Practice focus: Patent and trademark prosecution and IP counseling
Schlee IP International provides intellectual property representation in the Long Beach area, including patent and trademark prosecution and international IP protection.
Why they made the list: Worth a call when your IP needs cross borders and you want a boutique focused on prosecution and international filings.
Long Beach firm since 1970IP & technologyLitigation capability
Practice focus: IP-related disputes, technology, and brand protection
Keesal, Young & Logan, a full-service Long Beach firm founded in 1970, handles intellectual property and technology disputes and trade-secret matters alongside its broader business practice.
Why they made the list: Useful when an IP issue is tangled with a larger business or trade-secret dispute and you want one firm across all of it.
Tell us what you need to protect - a brand name, a logo, a creative work, or an invention - and we'll connect you with a Long Beach IP attorney in the right specialty.
How to choose between them in Long Beach
Start with a clearance search. Before you build a brand around a name, an IP lawyer should run a trademark clearance search to confirm it is actually available. Skipping this is how businesses end up rebranding after a cease-and-desist.
File early - the U.S. rewards first to use and register. Trademark rights grow stronger with registration, and the USPTO favors those who file. If your brand is gaining traction, registering sooner protects the value you are building.
Match the lawyer to the IP type. Trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets are different disciplines. Patents in particular require a USPTO-registered patent attorney - confirm the firm is qualified for the specific protection you need.
Ask about flat fees per mark. Trademark search and filing are usually quotable as a flat fee per mark, plus separate USPTO fees per class. Get both numbers up front so the total is clear.
Think past registration to enforcement. A registered mark only helps if you protect it. Ask whether the firm offers a watch service and handles infringement, so you are not starting over if someone copies you.
What ip / trademarks help typically costs in Long Beach
IP work for Long Beach businesses is usually flat-fee for registrations, with separate government fees, and hourly for disputes. Rough ranges:
Trademark search + application (attorney): Commonly $1,000 to $2,000 per mark for a clearance search and USPTO filing, depending on complexity.
USPTO trademark filing fee: A separate government fee of roughly $350 per class of goods or services, paid to the USPTO.
Copyright registration: Often a few hundred dollars in attorney time plus a modest government filing fee.
Patents: Substantially more - frequently several thousand to over ten thousand dollars depending on the invention - and require a registered patent attorney.
IP disputes / infringement: Hourly or on a retainer; enforcement and litigation can run well into five figures and beyond.
For most Long Beach businesses, the highest-value IP spend is the cheapest: a clearance search and a trademark registration that lock in your brand before you scale. The expensive scenario is the rebrand or infringement fight you avoid by registering early.
How long it takes
IP timelines are driven by the USPTO, not your lawyer. Realistic ranges:
Clearance search: A few days to a couple of weeks to search and advise on whether a mark is available.
Trademark filing to registration: Often roughly 8 to 14 months from filing to registration, depending on USPTO backlogs and whether any office actions arise.
Copyright registration: Filing is quick; the Copyright Office processing time varies but the protection dates from filing.
Patents: Much longer - patent prosecution commonly takes a couple of years or more from filing to grant.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a ip / trademarks lawyer in Long Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
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 structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many ip / trademarks matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Long Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most ip / trademarks matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted IP / Trademarks attorney in Long Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about ip / trademarks lawyers in Long Beach
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Long Beach?
Attorney fees commonly run $1,000 to $2,000 per mark for a clearance search and USPTO application, plus a separate government filing fee of about $350 per class of goods or services.
Why do I need a clearance search?
To confirm your brand name is actually available before you invest in it. A search reduces the risk of a rejection or a cease-and-desist that forces an expensive rebrand.
What is the difference between a trademark, copyright, and patent?
A trademark protects brand names and logos, a copyright protects creative and written work including software, and a patent protects inventions. Each is a different filing, and patents require a USPTO-registered patent attorney.
How long does trademark registration take?
Often about 8 to 14 months from filing to registration, depending on USPTO backlogs and whether the examiner raises any objections along the way.
Do I need a local Long Beach IP lawyer?
Trademark and patent filings are federal, so much serious IP work for Long Beach businesses is handled by specialized firms across greater Los Angeles. Choose for IP experience and the right specialty first, proximity second.
How do I protect a trade secret?
Trade secrets are protected through confidentiality agreements, access controls, and contracts rather than registration. An IP or business lawyer can put the right NDAs and policies in place.
What if someone is using my brand or copying my product?
An IP lawyer can send a cease-and-desist, file an opposition, or pursue infringement claims. Firms on this list that litigate IP can enforce a registered mark or patent in court.
Should I register my trademark before or after launching?
Ideally run a clearance search before you launch and file as soon as the brand is set. The earlier you register, the more of the value you build is protected.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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