MBHB has established a dedicated practice group, co-chaired by Andrew H. Velzen and Gin, to address the complex intellectual property needs at the intersection of quantum, optics and semiconductors. The firm’s attorneys will focus on helping clients “identify and target the aspects of an innovation that may provide meaningful IP value” as these technologies rapidly advance computing, communications, and sensing.
Both Velzen and Gin also participate in MBHB’s Artificial Intelligence, Patent Portfolio Management and Patent Prosecution practice groups, signaling an integrated approach to protecting innovations in these converging fields. Based in Chicago, MBHB aims to support a growing network of researchers and companies working in quantum and semiconductor technologies.
MBHB Expands Legal Expertise in Quantum, Optics, and Semiconductors
Nearly half of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff’s (MBHB) legal practitioners hold doctorates or other advanced degrees, a concentration of technical expertise that the firm uses in its Quantum, Optics and Semiconductors Practice Group. This focus on advanced degrees, spanning electrical engineering, physics, computer science and mathematics, allows MBHB attorneys to directly engage with inventors and researchers, understanding the underlying science behind complex technologies. The firm intends this deep technical understanding to inform its intellectual property strategy for clients in a rapidly evolving landscape.
This cross-disciplinary approach reflects the increasing convergence of these technologies, particularly as quantum computing relies on advanced semiconductor fabrication and optical control systems. Attorneys within the group are equipped to handle technologies including semiconductor design, quantum computing, photonics and lidar, extending to related areas like nanotechnology and electromagnetics.
This strategy goes beyond simply securing patents; it emphasizes a proactive assessment of innovations to pinpoint the most defensible and commercially viable intellectual property. The firm’s work includes drafting patent applications for foundational quantum innovations and navigating licensing negotiations related to semiconductors and nanotechnology, supporting clients throughout the entire technology lifecycle, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff says. The firm supports a diverse client base, ranging from startups and universities to government contractors and Fortune 100 companies.
The firm’s services extend beyond patent application preparation to include freedom-to-operate and competitive landscape analyses, alongside strategic guidance on IP procurement, protection and enforcement. By translating complex technical concepts into practical IP strategies, MBHB aims to help inventors in quantum, optics, and semiconductors secure their innovations and achieve their business objectives. The firm’s attorneys also assist clients in managing joint research relationships, a common practice in these collaborative fields.
MBHB’s focus on these technologies reflects their increasing importance across multiple industries. Quantum technologies, semiconductor innovations, and optical devices are driving advancements in computing, communications, sensing and artificial intelligence, creating a demand for specialized legal expertise in these areas. The firm’s commitment to both technical depth and practical IP experience positions it to support clients navigating this complex and rapidly changing environment.
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
