Exceptional service for discerning clients.

The Kellis IP philosophy.

We believe that clients make the best decisions when they have accurate and complete information. That intellectual property protection should contribute to business success, not detract from it. And that there’s a significant value difference between high-quality work and everything else.

The Kellis IP approach.

We start by seeking to understand your business and your goals. Next we ensure that you understand how the IP system works so that you can decide whether utilizing that system makes sense for you. Then, we work with you to craft a strategy, which we execute with excellence.

“[David] wrote up my patent application. I told him I only gave my idea a 25% chance of being granted but he did such an excellent job that, after two phone calls with the patent examiner to discuss a minor but key detail, it was granted. In addition, enough material was in the text that I filed for a continuation and got a second patent. I have reviewed over 700 patents in the course of my work and what David wrote for me was one of the best I've seen.”

- Gary Stringham, Technical Expert and Entrepreneur

David Kellis has prepared and prosecuted patents in a wide variety of technical areas, including:

  • metal roofing

  • power machinery

  • RFID

  • software (including machine learning/artificial intelligence)

  • consumer products

  • LIDAR

  • materials

  • medical devices

  • access control

  • aerospace

  • clothing

  • consumer electronics

  • surgical robotics

  • thin films

  • vehicles

  • vehicle wheels

Not your ordinary patent attorney.

Education

Mr. Kellis graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he served as a Senior Editor of the Harvard Law Review. He also holds an MBA from the University of Colorado, where he graduated first in his class, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Training

Mr. Kellis learned his profession from the best, including from District Court Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr., during a clerkship in the Eastern District of Virginia; and from patent and other IP attorneys with decades of experience with whom he worked at two different law firms - first as an associate at a large law firm with multiple offices throughout the United States, and second as an associate and then shareholder at a specialized intellectual property law firm with a worldwide clientele.

Patent Prosecution Experience

Since registering as a patent agent in 2006, Mr. Kellis has represented individuals, startups, SMEs, and multinational corporations, in preparing and prosecuting utility and design patent applications. His experience extends from invention harvesting and inventor interviews to patent drafting, prosecution, and appeal. Mr. Kellis is also experienced in patent portfolio management, foreign filings, and patent strategy more generally.

Patent Litigation Experience

Mr. Kellis has participated in all aspects of patent litigation, including pre-filing diligence, complaint drafting, scheduling conferences, infringement/noninfringement and validity/invalidity contentions, written discovery, depositions, motion hearings, preparation of expert reports and rebuttals, summary judgment, trial, post-trial motions, and appeal. Mr. Kellis’ extensive litigation experience informs his approach to patent preparation and prosecution.

Transactional IP Experience

Collaboration often produces the best inventions, and patents often achieve their highest potential when licensed. Both situations require appropriate contracts. Mr. Kellis has drafted, reviewed, and negotiated numerous technology-related contracts, ranging from more basic agreements such as assignments and non-disclosure agreements to signficantly more complex agreements such as joint development agreements and licensing agreements.

IP Policy Experience

From 2021-2024, Mr. Kellis served as one of just thirteen Intellectual Property Attachés representing the United States Patent and Trademark Office overseas. As a diplomat stationed in Rio de Janeiro with responsibility for the region including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guyana, and Suriname, Mr. Kellis worked with host governments to strengthen intellectual property systems and helped U.S. companies understand the benefits and risks associated with intellectual property throughout the region. He also developed an extensive network of government and private-sector contacts and learned firsthand the importance of proactively engaging with government authorities to address concerns regarding IP policy.

Admissions

Mr. Kellis is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in Colorado. He has a pending application for admission in Utah.

A word about fees.

Intellectual property protection is expensive, and we won’t tell you otherwise. Instead, Kellis IP seeks to ensure you get the best value for your investment in three ways:

First, we don’t sacrifice quality to compete on price. There’s wisdom in the Portuguese phrase: “o barato sai caro” (in English, “cheap ends up expensive”). Our goal is to provide exceptional work at a fair price.

Second, we recognize the need for cost certainty, so have implemented flat fees for many services and are open to discussing fixed pricing for others—allowing you to allocate your budget efficiently.

Third, Kellis IP offers a discount for prompt fee payments.