About Michael W.
Michael W. Farn earned a multidisciplinary technical and legal education that underpins his work. He completed a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University in 1991 after earlier receiving dual bachelor’s degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from Penn State University in 1986. He then returned to Stanford Law School and received his J.D. in 1997. That combination of advanced engineering training and a law degree shapes his approach to patent matters.
Farn built his legal career around intellectual property, joining Fenwick & West LLP where he has practiced patent law. His professional path reflects an alignment between technical training and legal practice. He is admitted to the California bar and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Those credentials allow him to handle patent prosecution and related filings on behalf of inventors and companies.
His technical background guides the kinds of issues he handles. The electrical engineering doctorate and earlier work in mechanical engineering make him comfortable with inventions that intersect hardware and physical systems as well as electronics. He regularly reviews technical disclosures, drafts patent applications, and engages in prosecution strategy. He explains technical concepts in clear terms and translates them into claim language intended to secure intellectual property protection.
Colleagues describe Farn as methodical in preparing patent filings and practical when assessing portfolio options. He works on matters that require both a deep grasp of engineering concepts and an understanding of how patent offices evaluate novelty and inventive step. He has experience counseling clients on the prosecution life cycle, from initial filing decisions through responses to office actions.
Outside of drafting and prosecuting patents, Farn participates in internal firm work that integrates technical and legal review. He works with inventors to shape disclosure material so that it aligns with prosecutorial needs. He also helps clients weigh the costs and benefits of different patent strategies during product development cycles.
He remains based at Fenwick & West LLP and continues to represent clients before the USPTO and in California. His practice concentrates on patent prosecution and related counseling for innovations in electrical and mechanical technologies.
