Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Silicon Valley Patent Prosecution Partner
Founded in 2007, Wagner Blecher LLP is a Silicon Valley-based patent law firm dedicated to providing specialized intellectual property services. Our firm combines decades of collective experience in patent prosecution with deep technical expertise in computer, electronic, and electromechanical technologies. We serve a diverse clientele ranging from Fortune 100 companies to high-tech startups, protecting their innovations through strategic patent portfolio development. Our team of veteran attorneys and paralegals collaborates closely with inventors to assess patentability, craft tailored claims, and navigate complex USPTO regulations. With significant investments in case management technology, we maintain a secure electronic database to streamline prosecution processes.Our collaborative culture mirrors that of Silicon Valley clients, focusing on technical excellence and strategic IP asset management. We specialize in prior art searches, infringement analysis, and portfolio due diligence, ensuring clients maximize market value from their patented technologies. Our legal professionals hold advanced technical degrees and engineering backgrounds, enabling nuanced understanding of cutting-edge innovations in fields like semiconductor manufacturing and streaming media. We maintain offices in Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz County to better serve clients across Northern California. Our commitment to individualized attention ensures each patent application receives strategic care to withstand rigorous technical examinations.
Services
Patent Prosecution
Portfolio Management
Prior Art Searches
Infringement Analysis
Patent Strategy
Due Diligence
Freedom to Operate Studies
Foreign Prosecution
Technology Audit
IP Asset Management
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of combined experience in patent prosecution for advanced technologies
- Our team holds engineering degrees in semiconductor physics, computer science, and mechanical engineering
- We specialize in complex technologies including streaming media, capacitive sensing, and VLSI systems
- We implement proprietary case management technology for secure patent portfolio tracking
- We maintain strategic relationships with international IP firms for global patent protection
Services
Patent Prosecution
Our patent prosecution services encompass application preparation, office action response, and appeals before the USPTO. We specialize in complex technologies requiring deep technical understanding and precise claim drafting. Our strategic approach considers each filing's position within clients' broader patent portfolios, ensuring long-term protection and market advantage.
Portfolio Management
We develop comprehensive strategies for managing patent portfolios through all business stages. Our services include invention disclosure programs, competitive analysis, and monetization strategies. We help clients build valuable IP assets that align with their business objectives and market positioning in high-tech industries.
Prior Art Searches
Our prior art searches identify existing patents and publications to assess invention novelty. We conduct thorough investigations covering global patent databases and technical literature. This service helps clients make informed decisions about patent applications and potential infringement risks for new technologies.
Infringement Analysis
We provide detailed assessments of patent infringement risks and validity challenges. Our analysis considers technical, legal, and business implications for clients facing IP disputes. We help develop strategic responses to infringement notices while considering portfolio-wide impacts.
Patent Strategy
Our strategic planning services help clients maximize value from intellectual property assets. We develop global protection strategies, licensing approaches, and portfolio development plans tailored to companies' growth stages, from startups to established technology leaders in semiconductor, software, and medical device fields.
People
John P. Wagner Jr.
Partner
With 18 years of experience, John drafts high-tech patents in streaming media, semiconductors, and storage systems. Former manufacturing engineer at Integrated Circuit Packaging Corp., he combines technical expertise with legal knowledge to protect complex technologies.
Matthew J. Blecher
Partner
Co-founding partner with expertise in software patents, medical devices, and integrated circuits. Former Adjunct Professor at Santa Clara University, he brings technical depth to client counseling on global patent strategies and portfolio management.
Emilie Benschoter
Senior Docketing Specialist
Manages the firm's IP management system with patent paralegal certification since 2008. Ensures precise tracking of patent deadlines and maintains electronic docketing systems critical for managing complex patent portfolios.
Robert Condon
Patent Administrator
Handles patent prosecution filings and portfolio tracking with specialized knowledge of USPTO procedures. Certified patent paralegal since 2013, supporting clients with both domestic and international patent management needs.
Ilene Fish
Senior Patent Paralegal
20-year IP law professional with extensive experience in patent prosecution and annuity management. Certified patent paralegal since 2013, previously managing all aspects of patent operations at a Northern California law firm.
Questions
What technology fields does Wagner Blecher specialize in?
We specialize in computer networking, semiconductor devices, software, medical devices, streaming media, and electromechanical technologies, with attorneys holding technical backgrounds in physics, computer science, and engineering.
How does Wagner Blecher handle international patent protection?
We coordinate with trusted international law firms worldwide to manage global patent portfolios, providing seamless protection through our established network of foreign associates in key technology jurisdictions.
What experience does your team have with patent appeals?
Our attorneys have handled numerous USPTO appeals, leveraging technical expertise and strategic thinking to overcome rejections in complex technology areas like capacitive sensing and virtualization systems.
How do you ensure accurate patent portfolio management?
We use FoundationIP, a state-of-the-art IP management system, combined with our team's extensive experience to maintain precise docketing, track deadlines, and optimize portfolio development strategies.
Can you help startups with patent strategy?
Yes, we provide tailored IP strategies for startups, focusing on core technology protection, investor-readiness, and strategic positioning while considering limited resources and growth objectives in competitive tech markets.
What makes Wagner Blecher different from other patent firms?
Our technical depth from engineering backgrounds, collaborative culture mirroring Silicon Valley clients, and strategic focus on maximizing patent portfolio value through integrated legal and business analysis differentiate us.
