Intellectual Property Strategy & Portfolio Management

Leader
David J. Marr
Director
Michelle Ferguson

Clark Hill’s Intellectual Property attorneys work at the intersection of law, technology, and business strategy to help clients convert innovation into tangible assets and measurable enterprise value.

We counsel organizations at every stage, from early-stage companies building critical first assets to established global businesses managing complex, multi-jurisdictional IP portfolios. Our strategy prioritizes the development, protection, and value of intellectual property assets in support of companies’ long-term business objectives.

Our approach goes beyond traditional prosecution and maintenance. We partner closely with business leaders, in-house counsel, and research and development teams and work with the latest AI tools to ensure that intellectual property strategies and assets are not developed in isolation, but are fully aligned with commercial objectives, competitive dynamics, and industry-specific considerations.

Clark Hill helps clients to evaluate competitive landscapes, identify white space opportunities, and prioritize investments in patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other proprietary assets. Our attorneys routinely conduct due diligence, freedom-to-operate analyses, IP risk assessments, and portfolio benchmarking to assist clients across the full range of critical business decisions, including product launches, market expansion, IP assertion and defense involving competitors and other third parties, and M&A activity.

Strategic IP Planning

An effective IP strategy requires a nuanced understanding of market forces, regulatory environments, and innovation cycles across industries and jurisdictions. Clark Hill attorneys bring deep experience advising clients in key sectors, including:

Life sciences and healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology, where regulatory exclusivities, patent life cycles, and licensing models are critical
Technology and software, including AI, SaaS, cybersecurity, and fintech, where rapid innovation and overlapping rights require agile and scalable IP strategies
Manufacturing and industrials, where trade secrets, process innovation, and global supply chains drive portfolio decisions
Energy and sustainability, including clean energy nd infrastructure, where emerging technologies and government incentives shape IP protection and commercialization strategies
Consumer products and retail, where branding, design rights, and counterfeiting risks are key considerations

Portfolio Development and Lifecycle Management

Our attorneys provide comprehensive support across the full lifecycle of intellectual property portfolios, with a focus on maximizing value while maintaining cost efficiency. We tailor portfolio management strategies to each client’s size, industry, competition, and growth trajectory.

Our services include:

Portfolio design and build-out, including strategic patent and trademark filings based on business priorities and competitive positioning
Global filing and prosecution strategy, coordinated across key jurisdictions to ensure consistent and effective protection
Portfolio audits and rationalization, identifying underutilized or non-core assets and opportunities for optimization
Maintenance, renewal, and cost management, ensuring portfolios remain aligned with evolving business needs
IP valuation and diligence, supporting financing, licensing, joint ventures, M&A, offensive and defensive competitive activity, and other strategic transactions

We take a proactive, data-driven approach to portfolio management by conducting ongoing, thorough strategy review and refinement to reflect technological developments, market shifts, competitor and other third-party activity, and changes in client objectives.

Integrated, Cross-Border Capability

Clark Hill has offices in the United States, Mexico, and Ireland, covering North and Central America, Europe and the UK. Additionally, Clark Hill enjoys reciprocal relationships with seasoned IP counsel in other jurisdictions around the world. For clients operating in global markets, our team provides a coordinated, adaptable approach to intellectual property strategy and portfolio management. Our attorneys manage international portfolios through a combination of in-house experience and established relationships with trusted foreign counsel across the world. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality representation across jurisdictions while remaining responsive and informed regarding nuanced local laws.

Business-Focused Counsel

At its core, intellectual property is a strategic business asset. Clark Hill’s IP team helps clients move beyond reactive protection toward intentional portfolio development that supports innovation, enhances market position, and drives revenue opportunities.

We assist clients in:

Identifying, capturing and protecting high-value innovation
Mitigating legal and competitive risk
Leveraging IP for licensing, partnerships, and monetization
Positioning portfolios to support growth, investment, and exit strategies

Whether refining an existing global portfolio or building a foundation for future growth, Clark Hill delivers practical, forward-thinking counsel tailored to the demands of today’s innovation-driven industries.