Senior U.S. IP counsel

USPTO-registered

25+ years of experience

Enterprise-grade U.S. patent counsel for innovative companies

Patent drafting, prosecution, and decision-grade opinions so you can ship, raise, and expand with confidence

Why clients reach out

The stakes are real: an upcoming negotiation, product launch, or competitor threat. You need to know your IP position is strong.

Launching or scaling

You want confidence in your IP position before a release, rollout, or major partnership.

Fundraising / Diligence

Investors want crisp answers and risk analysis that holds up.

Competitor patents

A competitor’s patent can become a release blocker very quickly.

Unsure what to protect (or when)

You have inventions, and you need a filing strategy that makes business sense.

Second opinion

You are not confident that your patent draft or strategy is right for your company.

Time pressure

A deadline or disclosure often means moving quickly, without cutting corners.

Why Hope IP?

Technical expertise, strategic thinking, and senior-level judgment, structured for how companies actually work.

Deep technical fluency

Computer engineering background with fluency in system architectures, protocols, and end-to-end platform design

Cross-stack depth from firmware and systems software to networking, data center infrastructure, wireless, AR/VR, and robotics

Extensive experience in AI and machine learning, including neural network hardware, model pipelines, and AI-enabled system implementations

Additional technology exposure includes mechanical systems and devices, semiconductors, storage and memory technologies, mobile platforms, user interfaces, optics, cryptocurrency, and digital rights management.

Options + judgment

Plain-English risk framing for founders, CTOs, and investors, with key trade-offs made explicit

Practical paths tailored to your context: file, design around, license, or keep as a trade secret

Decision-ready guidance balancing cost, timing, enforceability, and commercial leverage

Portfolio-level perspective across patents, trade secrets, and contracts, so each IP decision supports financing and go-to-market goals

Enterprise-grade quality

Decades of experience supporting Fortune 500 companies on technically complex patent matters

IP assets engineered to withstand scrutiny in diligence, disputes, and enforcement, not only examination

Enterprise-ready work product with precision, defensibility, and usability across legal, engineering, and business teams

Rigorous drafting and prosecution standards designed to capture technical precision, strategic nuance, and long-term enforceability

Proof: experience that shows

Concrete evidence in issued patents, long-term client trust, and litigation-tested execution.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon, and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgment.

Litigation-tested judgment

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Global Prosecution Coordination

Guided cross-jurisdiction filing and prosecution with U.S.-anchored claim strategy and consistent portfolio quality.

About Leonard Hope

U.S. patent counsel helping technology companies make better IP decisions.

Leonard Hope

U.S.-licensed lawyer | USPTO-registered patent attorney | 25+ years of experience

Leonard advises founders, product teams, and executives on patent strategy, prosecution, and risk analysis, turning complex technical work into commercially useful IP decisions. He helps innovative companies make sound IP decisions by translating complex technology into clear patent assets, decision-ready risk analysis, and actionable guidance for engineers and executives.

Technical expertise:

Software, cloud, and SaaS systems
Hardware, embedded, IoT, and networking
AI/ML-enabled products and deep tech

Find more about Leonard on LinkedIn

Who Hope IP usually works with

People who need IP advice that's decision-ready, not academic.

CTO / VP Engineering

Turn complex systems into clear claims with minimal meetings

Founder / CEO

Get options, trade-offs, and a recommendation you can act on

General Counsel

Get work product and process that stand up to scrutiny

Product Lead

Align filings to roadmap, timing, and differentiation

Investor / VC

Get clear answers under time pressure for diligence

M&A / Corp Dev

Get fast views on strength, gaps, and exposure

How it works

A simple process designed to minimize your time and maximize clarity.

1. Initial consult

Hope IP will clarify what’s happening, what you need to decide, and what “good” looks like. You will leave with a clear view of options and likely scope.

2. Options + scope

We will propose a tight scope with trade-offs: what we will do, what we will not do, timelines, and what we need from your team. No open-ended work.

3. Execute with checkpoints

We execute with clear checkpoints: interview, draft, review, file/respond. You get concise updates and decision points, not inbox noise.

Minimal meetings

High-signal questions

Clear scope first

How Hope IP can help

Core patent preparation and prosecution, plus opinions, strategy, and other services for high-stakes moments.

Learn more

FAQs

General information only (not legal advice). Here are the questions we get most often.

Can a NZ company engage Hope IP directly for U.S. patent work?

Yes. NZ companies can engage Hope IP directly for U.S. matters. If NZ filings also matter, Hope IP can coordinate with NZ counsel.

Does Hope IP also work with U.S.-based companies?

Yes. Hope IP works with companies around the world to help with their U.S. patent law issues.

When should we talk—before or after we disclose publicly?

Ideally before any disclosure. If something has already been shared, it’s still worth a quick triage—timing affects options.

How do you handle confidential information?

Please don’t send sensitive materials in advance. If we proceed, Hope IP will confirm the right way to share anything confidential.

How do you get across complex tech quickly?

Hope IP runs structured technical interviews and validates understanding early, so the draft matches the real system.

What does cost depend on?

Scope, complexity, urgency, and how much analysis is required. After the consultation, Hope IP will propose options so you can choose.

Can Hope IP review or improve an existing draft?

Yes. The firm provides second opinions and quality resets—strengthening specifications, tightening claims, and flagging strategic gaps.

Are there areas Hope IP doesn’t cover?

Hope IP is strongest in software, hardware, mechanical, and deep tech inventions. The firm generally doesn't handle chemistry or biotech drafting, but is happy to provide a referral to talented professionals working in those areas

Why Me?

Senior counsel, technical fluency, and enterprise-grade discipline, without big-firm drag.

Deep technical
fluency

Engineer-fluent interviews that go deep, fast

Drafts that reflect real architectures, not marketing descriptions

Options
+ judgement

Plain-English risk framing for founders, CTOs, and investors

Practical choices: file, design around, negotiate, or pause

Enterprise-grade
quality

Built for scrutiny in diligence and disputes

A clean process with checkpoints and predictable outputs

Hear from our satisfied clients!

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IP Audits

Hope IP Services

Patent workshops for technical teams

Hope IP Services

Fractional in-house patent counsel

Hope IP Services

Patent drafting and prosecution

Hope IP Services

FTO / clearance opinions

Hope IP Services

Non-infringement opinions

Hope IP Services

Invalidity opinions

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Competitive intelligence and patent landscaping

Hope IP Services

Due Diligence Support

Hope IP Services

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Proof (experience that shows)

Credibility that shows up in the process and work product and makes decisions easier.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

In-house perspective

Former in-house counsel experience, aligned with product, budget, and risk realities.

Extensive tech experience

Decades of experience as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon, and other FORTUNE 500 companies on complex technologies,.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality, outcomes, and trusted judgment.

Complex technologies, grounded in computer engineering

Computer engineering background and extensive experience translating highly complex technologies into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Litigation-tested judgment

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a FORTUNE 500 client.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgement.

Litigation-tested judgement

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies..

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgement.

Litigation-tested judgement

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgement.

Litigation-tested judgement

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgement.

Litigation-tested judgement

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Decades advising top-tier tech

Decades as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon and other Fortune 500 teams on complex, fast-moving technologies.

Engineering-grounded claim craft

Computer engineering background with deep experience translating complex systems into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality work, outcomes, and sound judgement.

Litigation-tested judgement

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a Fortune 500 client.

Why Hope IP?

Technical expertise, strategic thinking, and senior-level judgment, structured for how companies actually work.

Deep technical fluency

Computer engineering background; fluent in architectures, protocols, and systems design

25+ years working directly with inventors and in-house teams on deep-tech inventions

Quickly distill complex implementations into technically precise, patent-ready disclosures

Options + judgment

Plain-English risk framing for founders, CTOs, and investors, with the key tradeoffs made explicit

Clear, practical paths tailored to your situation: file, design-around, license, or keep secret

Decision-ready guidance that balances cost, timing, enforceability, and commercial leverage

Enterprise-grade quality

Decades of experience supporting Fortune 500 companies on technically complex patent matters

IP assets crafted to withstand scrutiny in diligence, disputes, and enforcement, not just examination

Enterprise-ready work product that is precise, and defensible across internal and external stakeholders

How Hope IP can help

Core patent preparation and prosecution, plus opinions, strategy, and other services for high-stakes moments.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

In-house perspective

Former in-house counsel experience, aligned with product, budget, and risk realities.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

Extensive tech experience

Decades of experience as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon, and other FORTUNE 500 companies on complex technologies,.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality, outcomes, and trusted judgment.

Complex technologies, grounded in computer engineering

Computer engineering background and extensive experience translating highly complex technologies into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Litigation-tested judgment

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a FORTUNE 500 client.

Why clients reach out

The stakes are real: an upcoming negotiation, product launch, or competitor threat. You need to know your IP position is strong.

Launching or scaling

You want confidence in your IP position before a release, rollout, or major partnership.

Fundraising / diligence

Investors want crisp answers and risk analysis that holds up.
‍

Competitor patents

A competitor’s patent can become a release blocker very quickly.
‍

Unsure what to protect (or when)

You've got inventions - you need a filing strategy that makes business sense.

Second opinion

You're not confident that your patent draft or strategy is just right for your company.
‍

Time pressure

A deadline or disclosure often means moving quickly, without cutting corners.
‍

Why clients reach out

The stakes are real: an upcoming negotiation, product launch, or competitor threat. You need to know your IP position is strong.

Launching or scaling

You want confidence in your IP position before a release, rollout, or major partnership.

Fundraising / diligence

Investors want crisp answers and risk analysis that holds up.
‍

Competitor patents

A competitor’s patent can become a release blocker very quickly.
‍

Unsure what to protect (or when)

You've got inventions - you need a filing strategy that makes business sense.

Second opinion

You're not confident that your patent draft or strategy is just right for your company.
‍

Time pressure

A deadline or disclosure often means moving quickly, without cutting corners.
‍

Proof (experience that shows)

Credibility that shows up in the process and work product and makes decisions easier.

Extensive tech experience

Decades of experience as outside counsel for Microsoft, Amazon, and other FORTUNE 500 companies on complex technologies,.

Hundreds of issued U.S. patents

Drafted and prosecuted hundreds of U.S. patent applications to allowance across software, hardware, systems, and a wide variety of other technologies.

In-house perspective

Former in-house counsel experience, aligned with product, budget, and risk realities.

Complex technologies, grounded in computer engineering

Computer engineering background and extensive experience translating highly complex technologies into defensible claims and clear USPTO filings.

Litigation-tested judgment

Provided litigation support in major disputes, including deposition testimony in a successfully defended case for a FORTUNE 500 client.

Trusted by demanding clients

Long-running relationships with top-tier technology companies and their internal teams, built on quality, outcomes, and trusted judgment.