Brian K. Kauffman

Shareholder

Brian Kauffman has extensive experience helping companies and individuals develop and manage their IP portfolios, both globally and domestically.

Brian Kauffman has over 25 years of combined engineering and legal experience. As a former patent examiner and registered patent attorney, he prosecutes patents and helps his clients develop domestic and global intellectual property strategies. 

Brian’s time as a patent examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) gives him a unique perspective that helps him develop effective strategies for navigating the USPTO’s seemingly unpredictable bureaucracy. His USPTO experience provides him with a deep understanding of the practical realities of the Office’s procedures. It also gives him the background to successfully prepare applications and arguments for the most positive outcomes with patent examiners and the judges of the Patent Trial and Appeals Board.  As a result, Brian has a strong track record of successfully prosecuting patent applications that are strong enough to survive Inter Partes Reviews.

In addition to prosecuting patent applications, Brian has rendered patentability, invalidity, and infringement opinions. He has also prepared and directed ex parte appeals.

Brian has successfully directed patent prosecutions and third-party challenges in other jurisdictions including China, Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.   

Brian also handles trademark prosecution in all fields of endeavor, in view of his intimate knowledge of the USPTO and work in the intellectual property field for 20 years.

As a former research and design engineer in the textile industry, Brian understands the challenges companies and individual inventors face when trying to navigate the complicated world of intellectual property.

Brian has in-depth experience in mechanical-related areas, particularly medical devices and aerospace technologies. His experience also includes technologies such as home appliances, automotive systems, construction equipment, hydraulic systems, manufacturing equipment and systems, cameras, photo lithography machines, textiles, optics, ceramic filters, printers, and navigation systems for air traffic control and construction equipment.

  • Virginia
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 2009
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1997
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Get To Know Brian

Where can you be found outside the office?

On a family walk exploring nature or visiting one of Washington, D.C.’s many great museums with my wife and kids.

What is the best decision you ever made?

Limiting the number of kids to three. I love them more than anything (except my wife), but they can be a handful at times.

What book couldn't you put down?

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton. I just had to find out what the old man and the baby had in common that kept them immune to the microbe.