If you are an inventor, you are probably aware of the fact that you need to hire a suitable patent attorney to draw up and submit the patent application for you. One look in the Yellow Pages is enough to tell you that there are hundreds of patent attorneys to choose from, so where do you start?

It is always a good idea to ask for a referral. Speak with any general practice lawyers you know to see if they can recommend a patent attorney. It is also a good idea to ask family members and friends who have sought patents in the past who they used.

Once you have a few names of intellectual property lawyers on your list, you can start to interview them. Be sure that they possess the right technical background that relates to your patent. Ask what types of patents they have represented in the past and check for references. Be sure to inquire about costs and not only hourly fees but the total estimated price charged for the entire process.

Finally, go with your instincts. Choose the lawyer who you feel the most confident in and the one with whom you feel that you can work closely with because obtaining your patent is a very long and drawn out process.