About Scott
Scott Talbot combines a technical background in engineering with a long career in intellectual property law. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1981 and returned to UVA for his law degree, receiving a J.D. in 1987. Those years of study set a clear path from technical problem solving to legal practice.
After law school, Talbot built a practice centered on patent work and client counseling. He is admitted to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia, and he is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. His academic training in aerospace engineering informs his approach to technical patent matters, particularly when claims must be translated from engineering concepts into precise legal language.
Professionally, Talbot serves as a partner at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP. In that role he has advised companies on patent prosecution and related IP strategy. He prepares and prosecutes patent applications, responds to office actions before the USPTO, and provides opinions on patentability and freedom-to-operate. His practice touches both prosecution and client advice rather than trial litigation.
Colleagues describe him as someone who prioritizes clarity in written work and precision in claim drafting. He often works with inventors and in-house counsel to shape patent portfolios that reflect business goals. His engineering background allows him to engage directly with technical teams about design choices, experimental results, and documentation that support patent filings.
Outside of specific casework, Talbot participates in the routine aspects of firm life that support client service: mentoring junior attorneys, reviewing technical filings, and coordinating with outside counsel when matters cross borders. He has practiced through several changes in patent law and procedure and adapts his practice to shifting requirements at the USPTO. He currently practices intellectual property law, handling patent prosecution, counseling clients on patent strategy, and managing proceedings before the USPTO.
