About Brian M.
Brian M. Hoffman trained as a technologist before he entered the law. He completed a B.S. in computer science at Columbia University in 1991 and earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1994. That combination of technical and legal education has shaped the contours of his career.
He is a partner at Fenwick & West LLP. Over the years he has worked with companies that develop software, hardware and other technologies. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and holds bar membership in California. Those credentials allow him to handle patent matters that require both technical understanding and legal precision.
Hoffman’s work spans patent preparation and prosecution, counseling on IP strategy, and assistance during disputes. He often prepares patent applications that require clear descriptions of software processes or hardware designs. Clients have sought his advice on how to protect inventions while they scale research and product development.
His background in computer science informs his approach to client matters. He reads technical specifications and source descriptions with an engineer’s eye. That helps him translate complex ideas into patent claims and related documents. He also advises on portfolio planning, helping companies decide where to seek patents and how to align filings with business goals.
At Fenwick & West he practices alongside teams that advise technology companies at many stages of growth. He collaborates with litigators, transactional lawyers and in-house counsel to deliver coordinated advice. He has worked on matters involving software, internet services and other technology-driven products.
Outside of casework, Hoffman maintains his professional standing through the State Bar of California. He keeps up with developments at the Patent Office and follows changes in patent law that affect technology clients. His practice reflects a long-running interest in how law and technology intersect.
He remains active in patent prosecution and counseling for clients in California and beyond. His current practice centers on obtaining and managing patent rights for companies that build software and other technological products.
