Patent Research Services for Patent Attorneys
Patent attorneys face increasing pressure to deliver accurate client guidance, reduce legal and financial risks for their clients, and move matters forward on schedule and cost-effectively. The quality, speed, and costs of the underlying patent research often minimize a common pain point.
In our 19 years of experience, we have worked with 100s of patent attorneys and intellectual property law firms to provide reliable, fast, and cost-effective patent research to support prosecution, freedom-to-operate, litigation, portfolio development, and strategic decision-making.
Whether you need a focused prior art search, a broader patent landscape analysis, or patent alerts keeping you and your clients updated, our goal is simple. Deliver clear, actionable research that helps you better serve your clients.
Pearson Strategy Group serves as an extension of your legal team, helping you uncover relevant prior art and technical information while keeping your workflow moving.
We support your attorney-client relationship and will work with you, your client, or both of you according to your preferences.
We also offer additional services that expand your ability to provide valuable services to your clients, increase your long-term involvement, and differentiate your firm’s services.
Why Patent Attorneys Outsource Patent Research
Even experienced patent attorneys face challenges when managing their firm’s client matters, timing, and costs.
Patent prosecution, client communication, deadlines, and litigation preparation already consume valuable time. Conducting comprehensive in-house patent searches can slow workflows and divert resources from higher-value legal work.
Outsourcing patent research to Pearson Strategy allows attorneys to:
- Strengthen search quality
- Reduce internal workload
- Focus on Focus more time on higher billing work, such as legal analysis and client strategy
- Access same-day service when unanticipated client demands materialize
- Reduce, or even eliminate, your firm being blamed for missing significant IP
- Receive completed Invention Disclosure Sheets.
Most Frequent Research Requests
We have over 19 years of patent research experience, working with over 100 law firms across many utility and design areas, including electrical, mechanical, consumer goods, and software.
- Patentability
- Freedom to Operate
- Validity
- State of the Art
- Subject Matter Conflict Checks
We use professional-grade research engines to examine over 100 patenting authorities worldwide, which is crucial because only 19% of patent applications are filed in the U.S.
How Attorneys Use Patent Research
Patent research plays an important role throughout the intellectual property lifecycle.
Patent Prosecution
Identify prior art early and strengthen patent application strategies before filing.
Freedom to Operate Analysis
Evaluate potential infringement risks before a product enters the market.
Patent Litigation Support
Support invalidity research and uncover relevant prior art for litigation matters.
Portfolio Development
Analyze competitive positioning and identify opportunities within a technology space.
Client Due Diligence
Provide clients with a clearer understanding of risk, novelty, and market conditions.
Where Pearson Strategy Group Fits Into the Workflow
Our role is to support attorneys with thorough, defensible research while allowing legal teams to focus on legal interpretation and strategy.
We commonly assist during:
- Early invention evaluation
- Pre-filing analysis
- Office action response preparation
- Invalidity and litigation research
- Portfolio reviews and expansion planning
We provide structured findings and supporting documentation that attorneys can use to guide next steps with clients.
Patent Researcher vs Patent Attorney: Understanding the Difference
Patent attorneys and patent researchers serve different but complementary roles.
Patent Attorneys
Patent attorneys provide legal advice, draft patent applications, interpret patent law, and represent clients before the USPTO.
Patent Researchers
Patent researchers focus on identifying relevant patents, publications, technical disclosures, and prior art that may impact a patent strategy or legal matter.
At Pearson Strategy Group, we support attorneys by handling the research-intensive portion of the process so your team can focus on legal analysis and client advocacy. We also provide additional unanticipated services that help your firm help your clients.
In-House vs Outsourced Patent Research
Many firms debate whether to keep patent research internal or partner with outside specialists.
In-House Research
Benefits:
- Direct internal control
- Familiarity with client matters
Challenges:
- Resource-intensive
- Time-consuming
- May pull attorneys away from higher billable work
- Limited scalability during busy periods
Outsourced Patent Research
Benefits:
- Dedicated research expertise
- Faster turnaround times
- Scalable support
- Reduced strain on internal teams
- Fresh perspective on search strategy
For many firms, outsourcing creates a more efficient and cost-effective workflow.
Our Patent Research Process
A structured process helps ensure accurate, consistent, and actionable results.
1. Intake and Scope Definition
We begin by understanding the invention, legal objectives, and specific concerns surrounding the project.
2. Search Strategy Development
We identify classifications, keywords, technical concepts, and relevant databases to guide the research.
3. Comprehensive Patent Research
We analyze patent databases, but we can also research non-patent literature, including technical literature.
4. Reporting and Analysis
Findings are organized into clear reports that help attorneys quickly evaluate relevance and risk.
5. Collaboration and Follow-Up
We remain available to discuss findings, refine searches, or support additional research needs.
What Databases and Sources Are Used?
Comprehensive patent research requires access to multiple global resources.
Research may include:
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- European Patent Office (EPO)
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- Scientific journals and technical publications
- Industry-specific databases
Using multiple sources helps create a more complete view of the prior art landscape.
Industry-Specific Patent Research Support
Different industries present different research challenges.
Pearson Strategy Group supports attorneys working across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Software and technology
- Manufacturing
- Medical devices
- Consumer products
- Engineering and industrial systems
- Energy and infrastructure
- Transportation
- And many others
Each project is approached with a tailored search strategy based on the technical and legal requirements involved.
Real-World Example
A patent attorney approached Pearson Strategy Group while preparing a filing for a client in a highly competitive technology space.
The client believed their invention was unique, but a comprehensive prior art search uncovered several closely related disclosures that could have weakened the application.
Because the research was completed early, the attorney was able to:
- Refine the patent claims
- Adjust filing strategy
- Reduce the likelihood of rejection
- Better advise the client on risk and opportunity
The result was a stronger, more informed patent strategy.
Why Attorneys Work with Pearson Strategy Group
Law firms and patent professionals choose Pearson Strategy Group because we provide:
- Thorough and defensible research methodologies
- Clear, organized reporting
- Fast turnaround times
- Flexible collaboration
- Consistent communication
- Reliable support during high-volume periods
Our goal is to help attorneys make more informed decisions while improving efficiency across the patent process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many attorneys outsource research during high-volume periods, complex technical matters, litigation preparation, or when additional search support is needed.
Most projects are completed within a few days to a few weeks, depending on complexity, scope, and desired turn-around time.
Yes. Identifying relevant prior art early allows attorneys to refine claims and improve filing strategies before submission.
Support Your Clients with Stronger Patent Research
When your clients depend on clear answers and informed strategy, reliable patent research matters.
Partner with Pearson Strategy Group to strengthen your workflow, reduce uncertainty, and better support your clients.
Complete the form below or contact us today to get started.
Or explore our full range of patent research services.
CONTACT US for PRICING, MORE INFORMATION, OR TO GET STARTED TODAY
