Howard R. Richman

Howard Richman joined ESF in 2002 and has been involved in the patent field since 1991.  With a degree in Mechanical Engineering and related practical work experience, Howard’s practice focuses on the mechanical and electro-mechanical fields.  Howard has handled thousands of patent applications and his experience includes:

• Counseling and working for one of the largest toy companies in the world since 1997, with a focus on freedom to operate and patentability issues for consumer products;
• Numerous years of counseling and working with one of the largest welding and cutting companies in the world, with a focus on managing and improving its worldwide patent and trademark portfolio;
• Significant academic and work experience in the areas of fluid dynamics, gas turbines, pumps, compressors, internal combustion engines, consumer products, and automotive components;
• Worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a U.S. Patent Examiner in the specialty areas of pumps, internal combustion engines, jet engines, and rockets;
• Automotive-related experience in the electrical (plastic) connector field for a large Japanese manufacturer;
• Sporting goods; and
• Industrial control systems.

Howard specializes in counseling both large and small corporate clients regarding all aspects of patent legal matters, including patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management and filing strategies, FTO issues, post-issuance procedures, licensing, and enforcement.  Howard also has significant experience in providing patent-related due diligence services in connection with licensing, mergers, and acquisitions.  Finally, Howard also has broad experience in negotiating and preparing patent licensing agreements, and enforcing patent rights through, and defending clients in, patent litigation including conducting pre-litigation due diligence, drafting complaints and answers, preparing claim construction contentions and briefs, handling discovery matters, and negotiating settlements.

Prior to joining ESF, Howard practiced patent law at two large, well-respected, law firms and worked for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  Howard started at the USPTO as a Patent Examiner and then joined the Office of Legislative and International Affairs as an Attorney-Advisor to the Commissioner of Patents.  After leaving the USPTO, Howard joined the Intellectual Property practice group at a large international law firm.  In 1999, Howard was one of a handful of select attorneys that started and quickly solidified a well-known Silicon Valley law firm’s patent presence on the East coast.

When not fully immersed in the practice of IP law, Howard enjoys spending time on the water, watching sports, and tinkering with classic cars.