Paul J. Backofen

Paul J. Backofen is an intellectual property specialist with 20 years in practice. His primary practice is IP prosecution and client counseling, specifically regarding patents. Mr. Backofen works with clients to obtain patent protection on ideas ranging from high-technology military electronics, networks, internet business methods, digital and analog electronics, communication systems, IC manufacture and design, medical devices, microturbines, air bearings, animation techniques, and digital cinema to pre-fabricated wall sections for building construction, fishing lures and musical instruments.

His broad technical experience coupled with his business experience provides clients a valuable perspective for identifying, capturing, protecting and exploiting their intellectual property. Mr. Backofen counsels industry leading organizations how to develop and run formal IP management programs. Some representative clients include Industrial Light and Magic, Lucas Digital, Skywalker Sound, THX, The Wattstopper Inc., Inc., Zoll Circulation, Inc., Fakespace Inc.,

Legal History

Mr. Backofen began his legal career at Brunell & Associates, and joined the Intellectual Property department of Irell & Manella LLP for 6 years. He moved to Crockett & Crockett PC to build a practice and bring his experience to smaller clients and startup companies.

Technical Experience

Mr. Backofen began his technical career with Hewlett Packard during college and after graduation worked as an electrical engineer for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory doing a range of work from designing hardware and communication links to testing and operating the Galileo spacecraft.
Education

Mr. Backofen received a B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 1980 from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. He attended Southwestern University School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1996. While at Southwestern, he had the opportunity to participate in the Interscholastic Trial Advocacy program, where he prepared and tried product liability cases.