Tailored IP strategies uniquely crafted for each client.

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About Us

Established in 2006, MLO is a San Diego-based Intellectual Property law firm serving a diverse range of clients worldwide, from emerging startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our practice is dedicated to delivering tailored IP protection services, with a focus on acquiring and maintaining patent assets, strategic patent planning, comprehensive patent analysis, portfolio management, Intellectual property due diligence, and trademarks.

We pride ourselves on our concierge-level client service and response times that larger firms struggle to match, recognizing that each client has unique IP needs, whether they are individual inventors, dynamic startups, or established corporations.

We aim to be more than just your legal advisor – we strive to be a strategic partner in transforming your intellectual property into valuable business assets. Let us be your fractional IP department!

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IP Services

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    Patents

    MLO offers comprehensive patent services, from securing and maintaining patent assets to developing strategic patent plans, ensuring that your innovations are effectively protected and leveraged.

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    Trademarks

    Our trademark attorneys specialize in the acquisition, protection, and enforcement of trademarks, employing an in-house style approach to align your trademark portfolio with your business objectives seamlessly.

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    IP Due Diligence

    We offer comprehensive IP due diligence services that not only safeguards your assets but also strategically positions your intellectual property for competitive advantage.

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    IP Portfolio Review

    Our in-depth IP portfolio reviews and strategic planning, ensure that your intellectual property assets are aligned with your business objectives, thereby maximizing their impact and value.

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Who We Work With

At MLO, we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt our intellectual property strategies to meet the unique needs of a diverse clientele. Whether you're an individual inventor, a burgeoning startup, or a well-established mid-size to large company, our approach is always personalized, ensuring that your IP assets are aligned with your specific goals and business landscape.

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  • MLO offers mid-size to large companies sophisticated IP solutions that align with their corporate objectives, ensuring that their substantial IP portfolios are managed efficiently and effectively for optimal market impact.

  • As an intellectual law firm, we partner with startups to develop dynamic IP strategies that not only protect your innovations but also support your growth, attract investors, and enhance your market position.

  • For individual inventors, MLO provides personalized guidance and protection strategies, ensuring your ideas are secured and your intellectual property rights are robustly defended.

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What Our Clients Say

  • “The word that best describes MLO is “thoroughness”. MLO is very thorough and professional in every aspect of the IP process. With multiple matters being worked on for trademarks, patents and IP, the use of docket lists and reoccurring calls are very beneficial in bringing me up to date and letting MLO know what our company has in mind for the upcoming months. In comparison to our previous firm, they have a much clearer sense of where I am with a wide variety of projects, and they really help our small business manage our budgets.”

    Randy Ataide
    CFO, StealthGearUSA LLC
    San Antonio, TX

  • “I’ve dealt with a few patent firms, and I think that there’s always a desire to take as much of the burden off of an inventor’s shoulders as possible for the patent process. MLO is the first patent firm that has provided me with that. The clear differentiator that I find with MLO is that the agents and attorneys are skilled in the art such that I’m able to speak the technical language to them. And more importantly, we’re further able to discuss a patent strategy, because ultimately what we’re trying to do is protect a new type of technology.”

    Dr. Petar Atanackovic
    Chief Scientist, Silanna Semiconductor
    Adelaide, Australia

  • “MLO is very professional and an easy firm to work with. I’ve enjoyed working with Heather, Jon, and the rest of the MLO team. Everything that we have pushed for, we have obtained successfully, for both patents and trademarks. MLO has provided sound advice especially with IP strategy. The results speak for themselves. I would recommend MLO to other companies, especially to other mid-sized technology firms.”

    Tom Mullen
    Senior Vice President of Business Development,
    OPSWAT, Inc.
    San Francisco, CA

  • “We’ve been very pleased with the services and the experience with MLO, not only because they got the job done but because of the way we got there and the professionalism of the firm. Specifically, what was extremely valuable to us was the efficiency of the firm. Our past experience working with larger firms was that the patent process was very long and repetitive and we didn’t have people who understood our business thus necessitating many cycles of review. Heather understood our concerns and priorities. I am really happy we selected MLO as our partner in Intellectual Property.”

    Carole-Ann Matignon
    President and CEO, Sparkling Logic, Inc.
    San Jose, CA

  • “At ZeroG, Heather came highly recommended to us. Initially, Heather worked with us to plan out patent strategy with a limited budget. She then brainstormed and worked with engineers, helped review and select ideas for disclosure, and then carried it forward to 9 issued patents in about 3 years. In the field of top, competent lawyers that understand the Silicon Valley business, she stands out as particularly organized and easy to work with. Since working with her, I have recommended her to several other companies. It’s easy to recommend someone who does good work.”

    Bendik Kleveland
    Distinguished Engineer, MoSys, Inc.
    Sunnyvale, CA

  • "We’ve had a strong and productive working relationship with MLO over the years. Before choosing to work with them, we explored other options, and MLO stood out as incredibly cost-effective without compromising quality. When I recommend MLO, I tell startups: You can spend a lot more money elsewhere, but you’re not going to get better service or technical excellence. MLO consistently delivers top-tier patent work at a fraction of the cost, which makes them the ideal choice for companies that need both quality and value."

    Robert Boock
    CTO and Co-founder at Allez Health (formerly Zense-Life)

  • "If you’re considering working with MLO, you’re in for a treat. In the past, I’ve worked with other firms and have had to watch my bills and manage the work. In other words, I had to make sure I got what I needed, and that I wasn’t being overcharged for things that were their own overhead. What I love about working with MLO is I get a quote and I know exactly who I’m working with— I don’t have to oversee it. I would definitely work with MLO again and highly recommend them to you."

    Eugenia Corrales‍ Los Altos, California

  • "Silanna has been extremely pleased with the level of support received from MLO. Heather’s depth of experience has been invaluable in helping Silanna crystallize its IP strategy. In contrast to other legal groups we’ve worked with, we’ve been impressed with how she seems to be operating in our best interests from a financial perspective. When you look at the combination of experience, support, communication, and cost, MLO offers a tremendous value."

    Mark Drucker Chief Executive Officer, Silanna Semiconductor San Diego, California


  • “It’s been great working with Kathy and Grace over the years. Merlin’s extensive IP portfolio owes a lot to MLO’s expertise and hard work.”

    Bob Brainard Founder and Chief Product Officer, Merlin Solar San Jose, CA

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