Ben Fernandez

Ben Fernandez is an intellectual property lawyer and partner at WilmerHale, a leading international law firm. With over 15 years of experience in intellectual property law, Fernandez specializes in patent and trademark portfolio management, freedom to operate/competitive landscape analysis, and IP diligence.12

Professional Background

Fernandez is based in WilmerHale's Denver office and focuses on helping companies navigate the complexities of patent and trademark law to achieve their business objectives. His practice spans various industries, including:

• Medical devices (orthopedic implants, cardiac implants, limb orthotics)
• Energy and clean technology (algae growth, algae harvesting, in-situ shale oil extraction)
• Retail products (design patents for molded/injection molded products and fashion goods)
• Software, financial services, and telecommunications technologies12

Expertise and Services

Fernandez offers the following key services:

• Managing US and international IP portfolios
• Advising clients on strategic and valuable patent coverage
• Helping clients understand how to avoid, design around, and license to minimize risk from competitors' patents
• Defending patents in USPTO post-grant proceedings
• Conducting IP diligence for various parties in transactions12

Academic Involvement

In addition to his work at WilmerHale, Fernandez serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado School of Law. There, he supervises patent student attorneys in the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic.123

Pro Bono Work

Fernandez is the co-founder and chair of the steering committee for ProBoPat Colorado, a program that connects low-income Colorado inventors with local patent professionals.2

Education and Admissions

• J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School (2004)
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (2001, cum laude)
• Admitted to practice in Colorado and before the US Patent and Trademark Office
• Fluent in French2

Recognition

Fernandez has received numerous accolades for his work in intellectual property law, including being named an IP Star, recognition in Best Lawyers in America, and inclusion in the IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners.2