Here are some popular myths about hiring a patent attorney . . . I like to call it “How Not To Hire An Attorney.”
MYTH 1: High-priced attorneys guarantee results. If you pay a lot, the attorney must be good, right? Attorney fees vary based on a number of factors, usually having nothing to do with results. For example, it costs more to live on the East Coast or the West Coast . . . so they’re going to charge you more. Busy attorneys charge more – why? – they don’t need more work, but they’ll do it if you’re willing to pay for it . . . and on and on. But none of these reasons guarantee results. There simply is no guarantee that the U.S. Patent Office will issue any patent, much less issue a patent just because you spent a lot of money on your patent attorney.
MYTH 2: Firm size equates with quality. Larger firms have a reputation to uphold . . . they’re going to produce better quality work product, right? Just like any business, the size of the business does not necessarily translate to higher-quality work. Regardless of law firm size, reputable attorneys strive to provide high-quality work product.
MYTH 3: They must be good – just look at their office space! Office space is a function of how much the firm is willing to pay for rent. If we’ve learned anything from this recent economic downturn, we should recognize that just because someone drives a fancy car or lives in a big house . . . or has a fancy office . . . isn’t necessarily an indication of any underlying factors such as quality.