Trademark basics

How to Choose a Trademark Law Firm

Answer in brief

U.S.-based applicants may file a trademark application themselves, but applicants domiciled outside the United States must be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney. The USPTO's base application fee is $350 per class of goods or services. Counsel earns its fee mainly in clearance searching, drafting the identification of goods, and answering office actions.

Fees reviewed 9 November 2026 on the USPTO's trademark fee page. Not legal advice.

Wysebridge → Do you need one? → Choose → USPTO filing

Where a trademark lawyer adds value

Clearance: searching for conflicting marks before you invest.
Drafting the identification of goods and services, which is hard to broaden later.
Responding to office actions and oppositions.
Enforcement and policing after registration.

Who may represent you

Any attorney in good standing with a U.S. state bar may represent trademark applicants before the USPTO. Patent agents may not handle trademark matters.

Start with the right question

Choosing counselDo I need a trademark attorney?When the USPTO requires a U.S. attorney for a trademark application, and when hiring one is optional.Read the entry Trademark basicsWhat trademark registration costsUSPTO trademark filing fees and what drives the total cost of registering a mark.Read the entry Choosing counselHow to choose a trademark attorneyWhat to look for in a trademark lawyer or firm, and what to ask before hiring.Read the entry

Practical entries

Trademark basicsTrademark, patent or copyright?Which form of IP protects a name, an invention or a creative work.Read the entry

Questions & answers

Do I need a lawyer to file a trademark?

Not if you are domiciled in the United States. Applicants domiciled abroad must use a U.S.-licensed attorney.

How much does it cost to register a trademark?

The USPTO's base application fee is $350 per class of goods or services, plus any surcharges and attorney fees.

Can a patent agent file my trademark?

No. Trademark representation before the USPTO is limited to licensed attorneys.

Sources for this entry

USPTO — Do I need an attorney? (trademarks) USPTO
Foreign-domiciled trademark applicants and registrants must be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney; U.S.-domiciled applicants are not required to be.
USPTO — How much does it cost? (trademarks) USPTO
Base trademark application fee: $350 per class of goods or services.
USPTO — Hiring a U.S.-licensed attorney USPTO
Why and how to hire a private trademark attorney.

Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.

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Cite or share this entry

Best Trademark Law Firms. “How to Choose a Trademark Law Firm.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://besttrademarklawfirms.com/