Our Firm

Our Philosophy

Always on the Leading Edge

At Nixon Vanderhye, our philosophy is shaped by our unwavering commitment to delivering results that allow our clients to secure, launch, build, and leverage their intellectual property assets into powerful portfolios. By combining our vision, creativity, deep IP experience, and understanding of today’s technologies and processes, we take on our clients’ toughest challenges and greatest opportunities to achieve their short- and long-term goals.

Our exclusive focus on IP law dates to Nixon Vanderhye’s founding in 1985. It’s that focus that continues to attract – and retain – highly talented, experienced IP attorneys and professionals. Simply put, we love what we do.

Based in Arlington, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, D.C., we’re minutes away from the federal agencies we deal with on a daily basis, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In fact, many of our lawyers have substantial experience working at the USPTO, government commissions and agencies, and the courts.

We’re passionate about our clients’ IP assets and always go the extra mile. Our comprehensive range of services encompasses preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark, and copyright applications; defending and asserting claims in litigation, PTAB proceedings including IPRs; building and managing global portfolios; negotiating licensing deals; and providing strategic counseling.

We’re proud of our clients and their achievements. Our 2,000+ active clients range from startups to expanding ventures to established industry leaders with global footprints. On any given day, we’re working with entrepreneurs with new inventions; companies with growing lines of products they must protect from infringement in the U.S. and around the world; colleges and universities with valuable IP assets; foreign patent firms seeking U.S. patents for their clients; and major brands in the manufacturing, chemical, medical, media, and technology sectors. Whether helping a client obtain a mission-critical patent, winning a hard-fought battle in court or before the PTAB, securing lucrative licensing, or attracting M&A partners, our proudest moments come when our clients succeed.  

We’re honored to be recognized for our high-quality counsel. Our longstanding reputation for excellence in a variety of IP disciplines is regularly noted in national and regional rankings and reviews published by World Trademark Review, U.S. News & Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Premier Intellectual Property Lawyers, Juristat, Virginia Super Lawyers, and others. Every year we are recognized for our top rankings in obtaining large numbers of patents and trademarks for our clients.